Anukul Roy and Rinku Singh after the match. (IPL photo) NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders finally broke their losing streak in IPL 2026 with a thrilling four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals and vice-captain Rinku Singh admitted the breakthrough came with a piece of luck that changed everything.A dropped catch at the start of his innings proved decisive as Rinku scored an unbeaten 53, leading KKR through pressure and confusion in a nervous chase that led to the final over.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Rinku was candid about how luck played a part in his winning stroke, especially after he got a lifeline at the crucial stage.
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Venugopal Rao explains the key decisions that helped DC beat RCB “Sometimes that happens when you have a few things going wrong, so you feel the intensity. But it wasn’t like I was hesitant or unsure about playing my shots,” he said. “My mindset was to finish the game because I had conversations with the coach and also with my batting partner. The intention was to go deep because the game was in a difficult situation.”How It Happened: KKR vs RR, IPL 2026He acknowledged the moment that swung the game firmly in KKR’s favor when Rinku Singh was dropped for eight by Nandre Burger – a regular chance that eventually proved to be the turning point of the match.“That happens sometimes. At that point the mind doesn’t work right and you end up playing those shots. But luckily luck was on my side and we ended up winning the match.”Rinku added that the shift came at a personally important moment.“I have played quite a few innings and I was waiting for a big one. It was a very good innings for me and also very important for my confidence,” he said.With KKR struggling in various phases of the chase, Rinku emphasized clarity in approach and communication.“For me, there is no such thing as a fixed position. I can bat at number five, down the order or even at number four. Wherever the team needs me, I am ready to bat in that position.”He also emphasized the importance of the team’s first victory.“It will give us a lot of confidence because it’s our first win of the season. We’ll carry that momentum from here.”The win came after KKR suffered repeated collapses earlier in the tournament, making this comeback all the more significant.Calling it an emotional breakthrough after a tough start to the season, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane praised Rinka and the bowling unit for keeping their nerves under pressure.RR captain Riyan Parag saw the match slip away due to missed chances, including a dropped catch that gave Rinku a lifeline.“We can’t drop catches, it costs us the game,” admitted Parag, also pointing to the execution problems in the death squads.
