Lucknow Super Giants stunned Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets in an IPL 2026 thriller at Eden Gardens, powered by Mukul Chaudhary’s blistering 54 not out, laced with seven maximums off just 27 deliveries. KKR posted 181 batting first, but LSG’s aggressive pursuit turned the game on its head.
Sparks flew right from KKR’s second over. Prince Yadav’s fourth ball, a back-of-length cutter, induced a top edge from Finn Allen. The ball flew towards Digvesh Rathi at third man. In a moment of athleticism, Rathi balanced precariously near the ropes, clutching the ball with both hands to his left. Umpires signaled out immediately—no third umpire intervention. Allen departed for a quick 9 off 8.
Rovman Powell, KKR’s skipper, addressed the elephant in the room during the media briefing. ‘The umpires should’ve referred it to the third umpire,’ he insisted. ‘It was too close to call without replays. We’re not making excuses for the loss, but decisions like this matter.’ Subsequent slow-motion footage hinted at Rathi’s heel possibly grazing the boundary padding, fueling umpire oversight accusations.
Reflecting on the home defeat, Powell lamented, ‘Eden Gardens is our stronghold with fans who push us. Failing here stings extra hard.’ He tipped his hat to Chaudhary’s heroics, describing the innings as a ‘game-changer’ that silenced the home crowd.
As IPL intensifies, this controversial dismissal underscores the need for technology in tight calls. KKR must regroup swiftly, while LSG rides high on momentum. Cricket pundits are already dissecting the catch, with social media ablaze over potential injustices.
