Rinku Singh’s long-awaited return to the spotlight in the IPL 2026 finally delivered exactly what Kolkata Knight Riders needed, as he powered his side to a thrilling win over the Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on Sunday evening. Chasing 155, KKR stayed in the contest through the tension of a close chase before Rinku finished things off unbeaten on 53, giving the franchise a much-needed lift on the points table.
How the chase unfolded at Eden Gardens
- KKR entered the final phase of the chase with scoreboard pressure, needing momentum to pass the 155 target set by the Royals.
- Rinku Singh took charge at a critical moment, remaining steadfast as wickets and dot balls threatened to tilt the match away.
- On 8 runs, Rinku produced a heave that went high enough to be dangerous—he top-edged it, and Nandre Burger was handed a straightforward chance at short third man.
- Burger missed the catch, and that reprieve allowed Rinku to continue building his innings instead of the chase slipping further.
- From there, Rinku and Anukul Roy stitched key batting time together, with Rinku staying unbeaten while the partnership carried KKR closer to the finishing line.
- Rinku ultimately saw the chase through, ending on 53* as KKR reached the target and recorded their place in the points race.
Rinku’s defining knock felt especially significant after a difficult stretch of performances. He had risen to fame in IPL 2023 with the unforgettable five sixes he struck off Yash Dayal, but the following period had been rough—his numbers before this game included 33, 35*, 4, 6 and 1. Yet when the situation demanded composure and impact, the left-hander delivered in the crunch, lifting KKR when the match could easily have gone either way.
After the game, Anukul Roy—who shared an unbeaten stand of 76 with Rinku—discussed how the pivotal moments unfolded as they batted together. In their conversation, Roy highlighted the turning point created by the dropped chance and the mindset that followed it.
Rinku explained that once the catch went down, he had to reset quickly and trust his plan. He recalled being told by Ramandeep Singh that they needed to bat through until the end, adding that his decision to play the particular stroke came because boundaries were not consistently arriving. Rinku also expressed relief that Burger’s opportunity didn’t hold, saying “thank god” it didn’t come off and that the reprieve mattered.
Rinku further stressed how crucial the partnership was, noting that it was the “last recognised” batting pair and describing how, despite being regular roommates and speaking about cricket often, they rarely got the chance to bat together like this. On Sunday, they made it count by steering KKR to a win.
Roy’s impact was equally important to the chase. He finished on 29 not out from 16 balls, striking one four and clearing the ropes twice. With both left-handed batters accelerating at the right time, the finish came with the kind of timing that often decides tight IPL chases.
In terms of output, Rinku struck five fours and two sixes, while Roy watched from the best seat in the house throughout the climax. Anukul described the victory as something that returned smiles to KKR and the fanbase, and with Rinku now in full flow, he hinted that the next chapter could bring echoes of those famous five sixes. “Those fives sixes…,” Anukul began, before Rinku completed the thought: “are loading, slow and steady.”
