IPL 2022: RR vs KKR Review – Rana,Rinku snap Kolkata’s losing streak

Kolkata Knight Riders snapped a five-match losing streak as they romped home to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium. In stark contrast to their usual aggressive approach, the Royals struggled to find momentum throughout their innings, as they were kept down to 152/5. 

Sanju Samson’s half-century (54 off 49) was the highlight for them, as the KKR bowlers gripped them tightly for the most part. They might not have managed to cross even 150 on the night had it not been for Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 13-ball 27. One of Royals’ key men, Jos Buttler, struggled his way to 22 off 25 in an uncharacteristic knock before being removed by Tim Southee, who was expensive (46 runs in four overs) but picked two wickets. 

The Knight Riders did not have the best of starts themselves as they lost openers Aaron Finch and Baba Aparajith inside the powerplay before two crucial 60-plus runs stand saw them sail through the target. Shreyas Iyer (34 off 32) took his time in the 60-run stand for the third wicket alongside Nitish Rana (48* off 37), who was the aggressor. After Iyer’s departure, Rinku Singh, who stood unbeaten on 42 off merely 23, joined hands with Rana to gun down the remaining 66 runs. 

Top performers of the game

Rinku Singh

After impressing with his fielding exploits, Rinku stood up and delivered with the bat in a match-winning partnership alongside Rana. He countered all the opponent bowlers with equal ease, hitting six fours and a solitary six in his unbeaten 42-run knock. 

Sanju Samson

Albeit in a losing cause, Samson played a brilliant knock under pressure and curbed his hitting instincts on a tricky surface. Samson smacked seven fours and a six, but scored his runs at a much lower strike rate, taking 49 balls for his 54. 

What next for the two teams?

Rajasthan Royals will be against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in a day game on May 7, while Kolkata Knight Riders will face Lucknow Super Giants at Pune’s MCA Stadium on the same night.