Kolkata Knight Riders set a challenging 182 at Eden Gardens, but Lucknow Super Giants scripted a dramatic three-wicket triumph on the final delivery of IPL 2026. Credit goes to uncapped star Mukul Chaudhary, whose blistering 54 not out off 27 balls—featuring one four and seven sixes—sealed the deal in a high-stakes chase.
Sunil Gavaskar, the iconic opener, couldn’t contain his admiration on Star Sports. Describing it as ‘unbelievable and fearless,’ he celebrated IPL’s unpredictability. ‘We saw David Miller’s near-heroics yesterday, but Chaudhary, a Rajasthan domestic batter at No. 5, just arrived, dominated, and stole the show,’ Gavaskar said.
Detailing the innings, Gavaskar lauded the self-belief: entering mid-crisis, Chaudhary settled patiently before exploding. The helicopter shot evoked Dhoni memories, and his refusal of singles underscored match-winning intent. ‘Pure class,’ Gavaskar beamed.
For LSG, this was redemption after top-order woes—Marsh quiet, Markram 22, Pant and Pooran subdued. Unlike previous dependency on aces, they’re now trusting depth. Pooran’s slump worries, though; pushed for fireworks, he flailed without connect.
Down to 104/5 in the 14th over, LSG’s resilience shone. Gavaskar emphasized how such performances instill confidence: ‘Fearless youngsters will carry them far.’ Chaudhary’s emergence highlights IPL’s talent factory, where domestic grind meets big-stage glory.
