KKR vs RR — IPL 2026 Cricket Match 24: Result, Scorecard & Report
Published: April 13, 2026 | Updated: April 16, 2026 — By Rahul Sharma
Match Result: RR Won by 6 Wickets
KKR 167/8 (20 ov) — Rinku Singh 52(34), Rahane 41(32), Narine 18(11) | Jofra Archer 3/28, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/24
RR 171/4 (18.2 ov) — Jaiswal 73*(48), Jurel 38(24), Samson 21(16) | Varun Chakravarthy 2/31, Sunil Narine 1/26
Player of the Match: Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) — 73* (48 balls)
KKR vs RR — Match Report
Rajasthan Royals extended their lead at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with a clinical 6-wicket win over winless Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. A sold-out Kolkata crowd hoped for a turnaround performance from their team, but RR's superior batting depth and Yashasvi Jaiswal's match-winning 73 not out rendered the contest one-sided from the 10th over of the chase onwards.
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat. It was the right call on an Eden surface that typically eases up under lights, but his batting unit failed to capitalise. KKR reached 167/8, a total 15-20 runs short of par given the dew expected to arrive after the innings break. Rinku Singh's 52 off 34 balls was the lone bright spot, but three run-outs in the middle overs derailed any chance of setting a 180-plus total.
In reply, Jaiswal took control from the second over. He punished Vaibhav Arora for three fours in the third over of the powerplay and never released the pressure. His 73 off 48 balls featured 8 fours and 3 sixes — but the real damage was done through singles and twos, with Jaiswal rotating strike against Varun Chakravarthy to deny the mystery spinner any rhythm. Dhruv Jurel's brisk 38 off 24 balls hurried the chase, and RR crossed the line in 18.2 overs with 10 balls to spare.
Turning Point of the Match
KKR's innings never recovered from the 12th over. Rinku Singh and Andre Russell had taken the hosts to 118/4 in the 13th over when Russell was run out attempting a non-existent single. Two overs later, Rinku himself was run out going for a risky second, and KKR lost 3 wickets for 11 runs in a brutal phase that effectively decided the match. From 118/4 in the 13th, KKR limped to 167/8 — a total Jaiswal rendered obsolete inside 15 overs of the chase.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Innings Highlights
Jaiswal's innings was a masterclass in pacing a T20 chase. He reached his 50 off 34 balls without taking a single risk, then accelerated through the back half. The standout shot was an inside-out lofted cover drive off Varun Chakravarthy in the 14th over that cleared the longer boundary — a reminder that Jaiswal now plays spin as confidently as any batter in world cricket. He finished unbeaten on 73, his sixth score of 50+ in IPL 2026, and received the Player of the Match award from captain Riyan Parag at the presentation.
Ajinkya Rahane's Post-Match Reflection
KKR captain Rahane was candid in the post-match presentation. He acknowledged that his batting unit hasn't adapted to the pressure of expectation after the franchise's big-money auction, and said the team needs to find consistency at the top of the order. With just one win from five matches (one no-result against MI), KKR now sit ninth on the points table, seven points behind the playoff spots with nine matches remaining. Coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Cameron Green's bowling workload would be reassessed for the next fixture.
Rajasthan Royals — Unstoppable Machine
Six wins from seven matches. RR are operating at a level no other IPL 2026 franchise has matched. Their only defeat came against CSK at Chepauk, and since then they've added five consecutive wins. The batting trio of Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Jurel has produced 50+ runs in each of the last four matches. Jofra Archer, back in red-hot form, picked up 3/28 and gave RR a lethal new-ball option alongside Sandeep Sharma.
What makes this RR side frightening is balance. They have genuine game-breakers at the top (Jaiswal), a stabiliser at 3 (Samson), finishers (Jurel, Parag), and a bowling attack that covers every phase. Kumar Sangakkara's coaching philosophy of rotating bowlers based on matchups rather than fixed roles has turned RR into the most tactically flexible team in the tournament.
Playing XIs — KKR vs RR
Points Table Impact
The result consolidated RR at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 12 points from 7 matches and a net run rate of +1.089. RCB (8 pts from 4) and CSK (8 pts from 5) complete the top three. KKR dropped to ninth on 2 points, level with PBKS and DC but behind both on NRR. LSG remain bottom after their Match 26 defeat to PBKS. Check the live IPL 2026 points table for the latest standings after Match 27.
What's Next for KKR and RR?
KKR travel to Delhi for Match 28 against Delhi Capitals on April 19 — a must-win for both sides at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. For RR, a four-day break awaits before they host Punjab Kings in Match 30 at Jaipur. With nine matches remaining, Riyan Parag's side are overwhelming favourites to finish top of the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets at Eden Gardens on April 15, 2026. RR chased down KKR's 167/8 with 10 balls to spare, finishing 171/4 in 18.2 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal's 73* earned him Player of the Match.
KKR 167/8 (20 ov) — Rinku 52(34), Rahane 41(32); Archer 3/28, Chahal 2/24. RR 171/4 (18.2 ov) — Jaiswal 73*(48), Jurel 38(24); Chakravarthy 2/31.
After Match 24, RR have won 6 of their 7 matches, sitting top of the table with 12 points and NRR of +1.089. Their only loss came against CSK at Chepauk.
Rahane acknowledged KKR were outplayed and said the batting unit needs to find consistency at the top. KKR dropped to 9th on the table with just one win from five matches.
Yes. Jaiswal's unbeaten 73 off 48 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) anchored the RR chase and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Balanced surface. The ball came on well in the second innings under lights, with dew reducing grip for spinners. RR's chase was aided by flatter batting conditions after the interval.
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