In a morale-boosting triumph, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in IPL 2026, marking their first win after a string of setbacks. Varun Chakravarthy’s mesmerizing spell of 3 wickets for 14 runs in four overs clinched him the Player of the Match honors at a packed Eden Gardens.
Batting first, RR limped to 155/9 on a gripping surface. KKR’s batsmen rose to the occasion, overhauling the target with 1.2 overs to spare. This victory ends a frustrating streak: five defeats and a washout in prior outings, placing KKR ninth in the standings.
Post-match, the star spinner opened up about the team’s resilience. ‘Shoutout to the coaching staff—they shielded us from the outside chatter. We’ve stayed true to our game plan,’ Chakravarthy noted, despite nursing persistent hand fractures.
‘ The pitch was slow, perfect for us spinners. Playing with injuries isn’t easy, but I’m managing,’ he shared. Delivering a bold statement, he declared, ‘We have no idea our final position, but make no mistake—we’re not here merely to compete. Every match is for the win, and the trophy is our target.’
Looking ahead, KKR face LSG next. This win could be the spark they need for a title push.
