IPL 2026
Netizens Hail Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy As KKR Secure First Win Of IPL 2026
By CricShots - Apr 19, 2026 7:42 pm
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Rinku Singh produced a match-winning masterclass to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to their first victory of IPL 2026, sealing a thrilling four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens. His unbeaten 53 off 34 balls, combined with a crucial 29 from Anukul Roy, turned the tide in what looked like a lost chase for long periods. Rajasthan Royals began strongly after opting to bat, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi stitching together a fluent opening stand.

Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy finished the game for KKR`

The duo added 81 runs and dominated the powerplay, with Suryavanshi scoring a brisk 46 off 28 balls and Jaiswal contributing 39. However, Kolkata’s spin attack engineered a dramatic comeback. Varun Chakravarthy led the charge with an outstanding 3/14, while Sunil Narine chipped in with two key wickets as the Royals slipped from a commanding position to 155/9. Kartik Tyagi also impressed at the death, finishing with three wickets to restrict the total.

KKR’s chase got off to a nightmare start. Tim Seifert was bowled for a golden duck by Jofra Archer, and skipper Ajinkya Rahane followed soon after, leaving the hosts reeling at 5/2. Cameron Green attempted to counterattack with a quick 27, but a brilliant stumping by Dhruv Jurel cut his innings short. At 85/6, the game seemed firmly in Rajasthan’s control.

WATCH – Nandre Burger Drops Rinku Singh As KKR Batter Gets Lucky Lifeline vs RR

The turning point came when Nandre Burger dropped Rinku Singh early in his innings, offering a lifeline that proved costly. From there, Rinku shifted gears with calculated aggression, finding boundaries at crucial moments while building a match-defining 76-run unbeaten stand with Anukul Roy.

Needing eight runs in the final over, Rinku held his nerve and finished the game in style, smashing boundaries and a six to seal victory with two balls to spare. It was a composed yet explosive finish, reminiscent of his reputation as one of the most reliable finishers in the league.

WATCH – Dhruv Jurel’s Acrobatic Stumping Ends Cameron Green’s Charge at Eden Gardens

This win finally puts KKR on the board after a string of losses, while Rajasthan Royals will rue missed opportunities, especially the dropped catch that ultimately changed the outcome of the match.

 

 

Tags Anukul RoyIPL 2026KKR winKolkata Knight RidersRajasthan RoyalsRinku Singh