KKR Beat Rajasthan Royals by 4 Wickets in Eden Gardens

New Delhi, April 19 — Kolkata Knight Riders secured their first win of IPL 2026, defeating Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in a closely contested match at Eden Gardens on Sunday. Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 53 guided the hosts to the target of 156 with two balls remaining, ending a six-match winless run.

Spin Turns Game After Royals’ Strong Start

Rajasthan Royals, after electing to bat, made a commanding start with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominating the early exchanges. The opening pair added 81 runs in just 8.3 overs, scoring freely and putting the Kolkata bowlers under pressure.

Jaiswal scored 39, while Sooryavanshi contributed 46, as the Royals looked set for a substantial total. However, the introduction of spin shifted momentum decisively.

Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine combined effectively in the middle overs, restricting scoring opportunities and forcing errors. Chakravarthy returned figures of 3/14, including a key breakthrough, while Narine maintained control with 2/26. From 81 without loss, Rajasthan slipped to 117/4, losing momentum rapidly.

The collapse continued as Kartik Tyagi delivered a disciplined spell at the death, claiming 3/22. Despite contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, Rajasthan Royals were limited to 155/9, failing to capitalise on their strong opening stand.

KKR Lose Early Wickets in Chase

Chasing 156, Kolkata Knight Riders endured an early setback, losing both openers without scoring. A first-ball dismissal by Jofra Archer and the early exit of captain Ajinkya Rahane left the hosts under pressure.

Cameron Green attempted to stabilise the innings with a counterattacking 27 off 13 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. However, his dismissal following a stumping off Ravi Bishnoi further dented the chase, leaving KKR at 70/5.

At that stage, Rajasthan appeared to have control, having reduced the opposition to a vulnerable position with disciplined bowling and timely breakthroughs.

Rinku Singh Anchors Recovery Under Pressure

The match turned when Rinku Singh capitalised on a dropped chance and rebuilt the innings with composure. Playing a controlled knock, he avoided unnecessary risks while maintaining the required scoring rate.

Rinku found strong support from Anukul Roy, who contributed an unbeaten 29 off 16 balls. The pair added 76 runs in 37 deliveries, shifting pressure back onto the Rajasthan bowlers.

Rinku’s 53 not out off 34 balls included timely boundaries that ensured Kolkata stayed on track. Roy’s contribution complemented the effort, with effective strike rotation and key shots in the latter stages of the chase.

KKR Secure First Win of Season

Kolkata Knight Riders reached the target with two balls remaining, completing a four-wicket victory. The result marked their first win in seven matches, lifting them off the bottom of the standings and providing relief after a series of close defeats.

The win also highlighted improved execution in pressure situations, an area where Kolkata had struggled earlier in the season. Their ability to recover from 70/5 and close out the chase indicated greater composure in the latter stages of the match.

For Rajasthan Royals, the defeat exposed recurring issues with middle-order stability and the inability to defend totals despite strong starts. After dominating the first phase of the match, they were unable to maintain control through the middle overs or contain the late surge.

The result leaves both teams with key takeaways as the tournament progresses, with Kolkata regaining momentum while Rajasthan faces the challenge of addressing inconsistencies in both batting and bowling phases.