Kolkata Knight Riders produced a dramatic finish against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 on Sunday, with Rinku Singh delivering when it mattered most—both at the crease and in the field. The win also sparked plenty of buzz beyond cricket, as a friendly post-match exchange involving Narine and Rinku’s family turned into an instant social media hit.
Quick facts
- KKR beat Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 on Sunday.
- Kolkata were in trouble at 93/7 before Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 83 (51 balls).
- KKR finished on 155/7; LSG matched it, forcing a Super Over.
- Sunil Narine conceded 1 run and took 2 wickets in the Super Over.
- KKR completed the chase off the very first ball of the Super Over, with Rinku striking the winning runs.
- Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram in the Super Over, leaving LSG with 1 run (lowest-ever Super Over total).
- Rinku took four catches and was named Player of the Match.
After the match, a light moment between Rinku, his family, and Narine quickly grabbed attention. During a video call, Rinku’s sister greeted Narine with “Hello bhaiya,” but Rinku promptly corrected her—asking her to use “brother” instead, since Narine doesn’t understand Hindi.
Even with the correction, she continued to praise him in Hindi, saying, “Bahut acchi bowling kari aapne,” translating to “You bowled really well.” Rinku then relayed her words, and Narine replied with a warm, smiling “Thank you very much,” leaving everyone laughing and the clip to spread rapidly online.
How the match swung
On the field, KKR had been pushed into a corner at 93/7. That is where Rinku Singh stepped in and changed the tempo and the trajectory of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 83 off 51 balls. His knock helped Kolkata reach 155/7, setting up a tense chase for LSG.
Lucknow matched the total and dragged the game into a Super Over, setting the stage for a pressure-packed showdown. In that decider, Sunil Narine stood out as the difference-maker—giving away only one run while also picking up two crucial wickets.
KKR’s chase in the Super Over began immediately with the result in sight, as the target was reached off the first ball. Rinku struck the winning runs to complete a memorable victory for his side, turning a near-certain collapse into one of the most dramatic finishes of the night.
Narine’s impact in the Super Over was even more pronounced because he dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, limiting LSG to just one run. That mark became the lowest-ever total in a Super Over, underlining how decisive the spell was when the match was on a knife-edge.
Rinku’s all-round influence didn’t end with the bat. He also impressed in the field, taking four catches and staying involved throughout the contest. The standout display earned him the Player of the Match award and capped off a high-pressure performance that defined the outcome for KKR.
