KKR vs RR Highlights, IPL 2026: Rinku Singh’s fifty powers KKR to first win of the season; beat Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in the middle to start the Rajasthan Royals innings. Vaibhav Arora with the ball for Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.

"As an all-rounder, you have to decide whether to focus on bowling or batting during training sessions. You must keep the workload in mind and can't do everything in a single session. I make the decision to split into half so that my workload is balanced. I think we're lucky to have him on our team (Vaibhav Sooryvanshi); he bats well and possesses immense confidence for his young age. My opinion hasn't changed - from the first time I saw him, he continues to hit big sixes. He'll improve skillwise and talent wise as time goes on, which is a good thing for India in the future. I play according to the team's requirements: I think as a batter when we're batting and the same applies to bowling. As an all-rounder, my job isn't easy because the team expects me to do well with both bat and ball. My record against KKR, as you said, is good and I hope to do well today as well." - Ravindra Jadeja

Rajasthan Royals Impact Subs: Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Yash Punja

Kolkata Knight Riders Impact Subs: Manish Pandey, Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Tejasvi Singh, Navdeep Saini

"We wanted to bat first. In this situation, we want our batters to be free from any pressure. The bowlers have started to perform well, and I'm happy to lose the toss. We live in the past, we can't say about the future, just focus on the controllables. The preparation has been fantastic and the preparations have been good. Just go out there and do well. Same team." - KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane at the toss

​Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag wins the toss, opts to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.

"We're batting first. Looks like a pretty dry wicket; the grass was cut yesterday. It could turn in the first innings and remain the same later on. Let's set the tone at the start: our focus is on doing better, last match was a learning phase, we need to take it into the games. Hetmyer and Brijesh are back." - Parag after winning the toss

"The IPL brings in new challenges and new opportunities every day. As much as possible, we must maintain a positive frame of mind. We might not be winning, but we're learning a lot, hopefully there will be a turnaround soon. Every day is an opportunity to do well, we need to forget the past and focus on future success. We want to give our 100%. Rahane only speaks positively to us, he thinks I'm in good form and that I must use it to help the team win."

"It's always a great pleasure to be standing out here in the middle at Eden Gardens, and the IPL continues to excite, to enthrall, and to entertain, and we should be royally entertained today. I have no jacket on because it feels like about 40 degrees. They tell me it's about 36, 37. It feels warmer than that. The dimensions, as we stand here, away to my right about 58 meters, significantly larger away to my left, about 70 meters, and 74 down the ground. So those square boundaries, you'll find tactically coming into play. In terms of the surface, there is still some nice green tinge to it, so there are some more patches, but there's at least a little bit of grass on top. They have shaved a bit down, so that'll aid a little bit of that pace and bounce throughout here at Eden Gardens. If I look at Arora in that game against LSG and how he was able to adjust his tactics, he bowled straighter, straighter, and then he went wider. And I think that's something we're starting to see in the IPL this season especially. Now with the dimensions you touched on as well and the tactics, you expect that will even accentuate it when the bowlers are bowling from this particular end to go wider into there. But it's a high-scoring ground. You've got to go big early here, and even if you do, it doesn't mean you're going to win the game. Well, if it does bring into consequence and significance what they do at the toss, sometimes it can start just a little bit sticky, but we find out over the course of the next three or four hours." - Ian Bishop and Katey Martin

Rajasthan Royals will aim to bounce back strongly after a surprising defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad when they take on a struggling Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 clash at Eden Gardens.

RR had built solid momentum with four consecutive wins before being halted, while KKR are still searching for their first victory this season, enduring a disappointing run of six matches without a win. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR have repeatedly failed to capitalize on strong positions, affecting their confidence and rhythm. Their only point so far has come from a rain-affected match against Punjab Kings.

Injuries have further weakened their squad, with Harshit Rana and Akash Deep sidelined, while Matheesha Pathirana is yet to join the team.

Here are the 5 key players battle that could shape today's contest:

Rajasthan’s recent defeat, triggered by impressive spells from young bowlers like Praful Hinge, has kept the squad grounded ahead of their clash with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Despite KKR’s struggles this season, Sangakkara dismissed any notion of complacency, insisting that form charts hold little value in T20 cricket. He expects a tough contest and emphasised the need for Rajasthan to focus on their own execution across all 240 balls of the match.

With both teams eager to respond — RR to bounce back and KKR to revive their campaign — the stage is set for a fiercely competitive encounter.

Skipper Riyan Parag may be short on runs, but Sangakkara remains unconcerned about his form. The coach pointed out that Parag is striking the ball well and executing his plans, even if results haven’t followed.

Drawing from personal experience, Sangakkara explained that phases of good batting without rewards are common in cricket.

In the T20 format, especially in the middle order, impact often matters more than volume. He expressed confidence in Parag’s ability to deliver when it counts, suggesting that such phases are part of a player’s journey and could ultimately strengthen his resilience and match-winning instincts.

While Sooryavanshi grabs headlines, Dhruv Jurel has quietly emerged as a dependable force for Rajasthan. His unbeaten 81 in a high-pressure chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru underlined his composure and maturity.

Sangakkara credited Jurel’s growth to clarity — both in his role within the team and his broader career trajectory. Describing him as a high-intent player with power and skill, he noted that self-awareness has unlocked Jurel’s potential.

The wicketkeeper-batter’s ability to anchor innings while maintaining scoring intent has added balance to the Royals’ batting lineup, making him a crucial asset in tight situations.

Despite his sensational start, Sooryavanshi’s dismissal by an unfamiliar bowler highlighted the challenges young players face in sustaining consistency.

Sangakkara believes such moments are vital learning opportunities rather than setbacks. He emphasised that opening in modern T20 cricket demands relentless aggression, making occasional failures inevitable.

The coach suggested that over-analysis could hinder development, advocating a hands-off approach. Allowing the youngster to “figure things out” without burdening him with expectations is key to long-term success.

Maintaining his natural instinct and sense of wonder, Sangakkara noted, will help him grow into a more complete cricketer while navigating the pressures of elite competition.

Sooryavanshi’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by fearless batting and extraordinary confidence.

Representing Rajasthan Royals, he has already made headlines with explosive knocks, including a rapid fifty against Chennai Super Kings. His aggressive intent was evident from the outset, even launching a first-ball six off Jasprit Bumrah and later taking apart Josh Hazlewood with ease.

Backed by a phenomenal Under-19 campaign, his transition into the IPL has showcased both flair and maturity. With a strike rate soaring beyond 260, Sooryavanshi has redefined expectations for a player his age, combining instinctive strokeplay with sharp game awareness that continues to impress the Royals’ think tank.

Kumar Sangakkara has offered a grounded perspective on the rollercoaster start to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL journey, urging the teenage prodigy to embrace both success and failure.

After a stunning run that saw him take on elite bowlers, Sooryavanshi’s golden duck against Sunrisers Hyderabad served as a reminder of the game’s unpredictability.

Sangakkara stressed that such fluctuations are natural, especially for a 15-year-old navigating top-level cricket.

“Enjoy everything,” he said, highlighting that whether it’s a blistering hundred or a first-ball dismissal, both are essential parts of growth. The message was clear—shield the youngster from excessive noise and let him evolve organically in a high-pressure environment.

Despite his much-anticipated arrival, Pathirana is unlikely to be rushed straight into the playing XI as the team management prioritises his match readiness.

The KKR medical staff is expected to closely monitor him over multiple training sessions before taking a final call. Bought for a hefty sum at the auction, the slinger’s absence in the early part of the season had already been anticipated following his injury setback.

He was initially expected to join the squad ahead of their previous fixture but only arrived now after completing all formalities. For a side that has struggled with both injuries and form, Pathirana’s gradual return could be a turning point, offering pace and variation once he is fully fit.

Matheesha Pathirana has finally linked up with Kolkata Knight Riders, providing a significant lift to a side struggling at the bottom of the standings.

The franchise confirmed his arrival on Sunday after the pacer completed his rehabilitation from a calf strain suffered during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Having cleared the mandatory fitness assessments conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket, Pathirana received the required clearance to travel and join the squad. His presence comes at a crucial juncture, with KKR yet to register a win this season and desperately needing reinforcements to revive their faltering campaign ahead of their clash against Rajasthan Royals.

KKR: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep, Blessing Muzarabani, Navdeep Saini, Prashant Solanki, Finn Allen, Daksh Kamra, Kartik Tyagi, Sarthak Ranjan, Saurabh Dubey.

RR: Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Aman Perala, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Adam Milne, Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, Kuldeep Sen, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi and Sandeep Sharma.

Despite the gloom, there remain a few positives for KKR to build on.

Chakravarthy returning among the wickets and Cameron Green rediscovering touch with a fluent 79 offer some hope. If their spin unit can exploit the slower afternoon surface, they could trouble Rajasthan’s otherwise formidable batting line-up.

The Royals, meanwhile, will be wary after their top order—featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag—collectively faltered in their last outing. With a month-long break looming due to the upcoming Indian Assembly Elections, KKR will be desperate to seize this moment and register their first win in front of home fans, keeping their slim hopes alive before returning to Eden Gardens later in the season.

KKR’s campaign has also been marked by baffling decisions, particularly around player utilisation. The handling of Varun Chakravarthy has been a talking point, with the mystery spinner initially used in the powerplay, where he struggled for control and leaked runs. His confidence took a hit early, delaying his impact in the tournament.

Similarly, the delayed inclusion of Tim Seifert and the continued absence of Rachin Ravindra have raised eyebrows, while several domestic prospects remain overlooked. Despite a star-studded support staff featuring names like Shane Watson, Tim Southee and Dwayne Bravo, the team has struggled to find direction.

Rahane’s toss calls too have come under question, notably opting to bat in tricky conditions against Gujarat, a move that backfired quickly and set the tone for another defeat.

For Kolkata Knight Riders, the season has been nothing short of a nightmare so far.

Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, the side is yet to register a win after six matches, with defeats becoming a recurring theme even from promising positions. Their lone point came via a washout against Punjab Kings, doing little to lift morale.

Injuries have further compounded their problems, with key pacers unavailable and reinforcements yet to arrive. Beyond personnel issues, tactical decisions from Rahane and head coach Abhishek Nayar have drawn scrutiny.

Questionable team selections, inconsistent match management, and debatable bowling changes have all contributed to their slide, leaving the side short on both confidence and clarity at a critical stage of the competition.

A confident Rajasthan Royals outfit will aim to quickly shake off their first real setback of the season when they take on a beleaguered Kolkata Knight Riders in a crucial afternoon encounter on Sunday.

Having stormed through the early phase with four consecutive victories, Rajasthan’s momentum was halted by Sunrisers Hyderabad, exposing minor cracks in an otherwise dominant campaign. The loss, however, has not significantly dented their standing as one of the most balanced sides this season.

With a powerful top order and depth across departments, Rajasthan will view this fixture as an opportunity to return to winning ways and reinforce their credentials as title contenders. The afternoon conditions could play a role, but on paper, they remain favourites against an opposition struggling for rhythm and belief.