Choudhary Powers LSG to Last-Ball Thriller Over KKR

Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a dramatic chase in IPL 2026, with Mukul Choudhary producing a stunning finishing display to secure a three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders.

Chasing 182, LSG reached 182 for 7 on the final ball, edging past KKR’s 181 for 4 in a contest that swung repeatedly before a nerveless finish sealed the result.

Choudhary’s explosive finish seals win

LSG were in deep trouble when Mukul Choudhary arrived at the crease, slipping from 104 for 5 to 128 for 7 in pursuit of 182. With the required rate climbing and wickets falling, the 21-year-old took control.

He smashed a 25-ball half-century, showcasing clean power hitting under pressure. The match came down to 14 needed off the final over.

After Avesh Khan took a single off the first ball, Choudhary launched Vaibhav Arora for a six over square leg. Two dot balls followed, but another remarkable six — off a near wide yorker — reduced the equation to one off the final ball.

Choudhary missed the last delivery but sprinted through for a leg-bye to complete a remarkable victory, underlining his emergence as a finisher of significant promise.

Rahane and Raghuvanshi set platform for KKR

Earlier, KKR recovered from an early setback to post 181 for 4. Finn Allen was dismissed for 9 off 8 balls in controversial fashion, with replays later suggesting Digvesh Rathi’s foot may have touched the boundary.

Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi then rebuilt with an 84-run partnership off 52 balls. Rahane scored 41, while Raghuvanshi added 45 after accelerating following a cautious start.

LSG’s spinners, Rathi and M Siddharth, broke the stand in successive overs to pull the game back.

Powell provides late momentum

KKR struggled for fluency in the middle overs, going 31 balls without a boundary. Cameron Green made 24 balls for his innings, managing limited impact.

Rovman Powell, however, injected momentum late with an unbeaten 39 off 24 balls. His aggressive hitting ensured KKR finished strongly, giving them a competitive total.

Badoni anchors before late collapse

Ayush Badoni laid the foundation for LSG’s chase with a composed 54 off 33 balls. Batting at No.4, he steadied the innings after early setbacks and targeted KKR’s weaker bowling options, taking 26 runs off 12 balls from Kartik Tyagi and Navdeep Saini.

He was cautious against Sunil Narine, scoring just eight off ten balls, as the spinner conceded only 13 runs in four overs and dismissed Mohammed Shami.

Badoni brought up his fifty with a six off Anukul Roy but fell the very next ball, leaving LSG needing a late surge.

Pitch conditions and turning point

The Eden Gardens surface proved tricky, with deliveries gripping and slower balls difficult to hit. Several LSG batters, including Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant, struggled against the bounce and variations.

KKR were firmly in control, with an 86% win probability at one stage. But Choudhary’s late assault, including multiple sixes off Arora and Kartik Tyagi, completely shifted momentum.

What this means

This victory highlights Lucknow Super Giants’ resilience and depth in IPL 2026, with Mukul Choudhary emerging as a potential match-winner in pressure situations. For Kolkata Knight Riders, the defeat will be a tough one to digest after dominating large phases of the game but failing to close it out.

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