Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 campaign suffered a gut-wrenching blow as Lucknow Super Giants snatched a dramatic win on the final delivery. The hero of the hour? LSG’s Mukul Chaudhary, whose blistering 54* proved decisive, as admitted by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Electing to bat, KKR racked up 181/4, powered by a solid top-order effort. LSG’s response teetered on the edge until Badoni (54) and Mukul (54*) forged a crucial stand. Requiring 30 from 12 balls, Mukul took charge: a four and two maximums in the penultimate over, followed by two more sixes in the last to seal the deal.
The 27-ball knock, featuring seven sixes and two boundaries, showcased Mukul’s composure under fire. Rahane, ever the gentleman, didn’t shy from praise. ‘Mukul’s knock was pivotal. It’s natural to have minor lapses in those closing overs—credit to him for that partnership,’ he told reporters.
Delving deeper, Rahane explained the tactics. ‘LSG played without fear; 30 off two overs freed them up. Some balls were good, but his batting was top-class. Defending 180 here isn’t straightforward. We tried keeping Avesh on strike and packed the infield, but it restricted our options.’
As KKR lick their wounds, Rahane’s focus shifts to learning from this. The match highlights IPL’s unpredictability, where one player’s brilliance can rewrite the script. LSG celebrates a morale-boosting triumph, with Mukul emerging as a breakout star.
