Rajasthan Royals (RR) endured a close defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday, April 19 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The game turned out to be a last over thriller, where Rinku Singh anchored the chase with an unbeaten 53 off 34 balls to guide KKR home.
Ravichandran Ashwin slams Riyan Parag's captaincy against KKR
RR controlled a major chunk of the game, unsettling KKR batting order in the second innings. However, skipper Riyan Parag faced heat for not fully utilising Ravindra Jadeja, who delivered a masterclass spell of 2/8 in three overs. Fans and experts questioned why the left-arm spinner wasn't given another over during the crucial phase of the run-chase, especially after clinching important wickets while conceding only eight runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin has raised questions on Parag's hesitancy in giving another over to Jadeja, who had been the most effective bowler for the side. On his official YouTube Channel, Ashwin slammed Parag's decision making as a captain.
ALSO READ: Babar Azam scores his fastest PSL century, equals Virat Kohli's partnership record
“You have a world-class left-arm spinner. Sure, numbers and data can tell you something, but he has conceded only 9 or 11 runs in three overs and taken two wickets.
According to Ashwin, Parag's lack of trust in Jadeja was more of a mindset problem. The former India spinner further claimed that this decision from Parag shows his lack of trust in the bowling unit.
“When Rinku Singh tried to hit, he was so close to getting out, but you thought, ‘I am an off-spinner; I can put pressure on these two left-handers, but Jaddu won’t be able to.’ Though Ravi Bishnoi can, you felt Jaddu won’t be able to. I am telling you, this is the mindset. It is possible that Jaddu bowls and the batter hits two sixes, but by not bowling him, you are not showing trust in your bowling unit in the long term," added Ashwin.
How Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy turned tables for KKR?
In the second innings, KKR's opening duo of Tim Seifert and Ajinkya Rahane failed to open the team's account, both departing on ducks. All-rounder Cameron Green (27 off 13) and Rovman Powell (23 off 20) stitched a decent partnership but could not last long. Rinku Singh (53 off 34) and Anukul Roy (29 off 16) stitched a match-winning partnership for KKR.
In the penultimate over, Jofra Archer pitched one into the slot, with Anukul Roy launching it for a massive six over the covers, collecting 12 runs.
Needing nine runs off the last over, Rinku Singh became hero for KKR, smashing back-to-back boundaries and a six off Brijesh Sharma to seal the maiden win in IPL 2026.
Next challenge for RR
This was RR's second successive defeat in IPL 2026. After playing six games, the Riyan Parag-led side sit at third in the table with eight points in hand at a net run rate of +0.599.
RR will face Lucknow Super Giants in their upcoming clash on Wednesday, April 22 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.