IPL 2026: Not Rinku Singh, Bihari from Jharkhand, Anukul Roy Won KKR’s Must-Win Encounter vs RR

The Turning Point: Roy Steps Up as Rinku Falters

By the 18th over, the pressure was immense. Rinku Singh, usually the most reliable finisher in the league, was visibly frustrated. He was failing to connect with his big heaves and the required run rate was climbing.

Facing Brijesh Sharma, who had been bowling a very tight line, Rinku struggled to rotate the strike. Seeing his partner under the pump, Anukul Roy took charge. On a delivery that offered a hint of width, Roy didn’t swing wildly; he played a precision cut shot that raced past the point fielder for a boundary. That single four acted as the “pressure valve” KKR desperately needed, allowing Rinku to settle down and eventually find his timing.

The Game-Breaker: Slaying Archer

The true “Impact Moment” arrived in the 19th over. KKR needed 21 runs off 12 balls, and RR skipper Riyan Parag turned to his world-class speedster, Jofra Archer.

Archer looked set to close out the game, but Anukul Roy had other plans. On the third ball of the over, Roy anticipated a 145kmph-plus delivery and launched a massive six over wide long-off.

• The Equation: That strike brought the target down to a manageable 13 off 9 balls.
• The Finish: It was only after Roy’s tactical aggression broke RR’s momentum that Rinku Singh finally freed his arms to finish the game with a flurry of boundaries in the final over.

Why Anukul Did Not Bowl In The Match Against RR?

While Roy was KKR’s savior with the bat, it is worth noting that Anukul did not bowl a single over during the RR innings. Despite his recent domestic form for Jharkhand, captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to stick with the specialized spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy (3/14) and Sunil Narine (2/26) to manage the RR left-handers, keeping Roy solely as a batting engine for the death overs.

Match Summary: KKR vs RR (April 19, 2026)