Rinku Singh's Maiden Fifty of the Season Powers KKR to First IPL 2026 Win

Kolkata Knight Riders finally ended their winless run in IPL 2026, defeating Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in a close encounter on Sunday at Eden Gardens, with Rinku Singh playing the hero's role once again.

It took more than 20 days and seven matches for Kolkata to register their first win of the season, a result that lifts them out of the basement of the IPL standings and simultaneously prevents Rajasthan Royals from ending the day as table toppers.

Dropped on just 8, Rinku Singh began the turnaround with a slog-swept six off Ravi Bishnoi at the start of the 16th over and sealed the win with another six that doubled as his fifty, arriving with two balls to spare.

It was his first half-century of the season and, notably, his first since 2023.

The match winner reflected on the tense finish after the game.

"But it wasn't like I was hesitating or unsure about playing my shots. My mindset was to take the game till the end because I had conversations with the coach and also with my batting partner," said Rinku.

"The idea was to take it deep since the match was in a tricky situation. That's what happens sometimes, sir. In that moment, the mind doesn't work properly and you end up playing such shots. But thankfully, luck was on my side and we eventually won the match," he added.

How Did KKR Recover After Slipping to 5 for 2 in Their Chase Against Rajasthan Royals?

KKR's chase was anything but comfortable.

They slipped to 5 for 2 in the second over and lost half their side for 70 in the 11th over.

It was at that precarious juncture that Rinku steadied the ship, sharing a decisive 76-run stand off just 37 balls with Anukul Roy, who contributed a vital 29 off 16 balls.

Roy's intervention proved crucial, given that the ask had ballooned to 67 off 33 at one stage, the only point in the chase where it crossed two runs a ball.

Roy, who did not get to bowl owing to the left-hand heavy Rajasthan batting lineup, more than compensated with the bat.

Did Ravi Bishnoi's Costly Over Hand KKR Their First Win of IPL 2026?

Jofra Archer had set the tone of the Royals' defence with a first-ball wicket for the third match in a row, before the RR spinners squeezed the life out of the KKR batting for 15 overs.

Ultimately, though, one ordinary over from Ravi Bishnoi turned the game on its head.

KKR's bowling unit deserved much credit on a surface that appeared tailor-made for spin, even as their top order continued to misfire.

The win was far from a clinical performance, but it will provide significant relief to a side that had been rooted to the bottom of the table.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was candid in his assessment of what cost his side the match.

"I think for the first 4-5 overs, I thought it was a 170-run wicket, we fell 10 runs short. Errors from our side, we can't be dropping catches, that cost us the game," he said.