Mukul Choudhary Shines as Lucknow Super Giants Defeat Kolkata Knight Riders by Three Wickets

 

Mukul Choudhary. Image: IPL/BCCI

Subhayan Chakraborty, Kolkata

Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets at Eden Gardens, courtesy of a wonder knock from Mukul Choudhary. He smashed seven sixes to take LSG over the line, securing their second consecutive win in IPL 2026. Meanwhile, KKR’s search for a victory continues.

Mukul Choudhary: A New Star is Born

Rajasthan’s Mukul Choudhary played a thunderous, stellar knock of 54 off 27 balls to guide the Lucknow Super Giants over the finish line. Backed by Justin Langer, Mukul showcased his immense potential by hammering seven sixes in what will be remembered as one of the knocks of the tournament. A new star has definitely been born in LSG colors.

“If he’s willing… in the next four months, I’m going to turn him into the scariest No. 6 or No. 7 batter in India,” head coach Justin Langer had said while speaking to captain Rishabh Pant about the uncapped Mukul during a pre-season camp.

A product of the same Jaipur academy that shaped Kartik Sharma and Ashok Sharma, Choudhary began his journey as a fast bowler until circumstances nudged him onto a different path. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, a shortage of wicketkeepers in an academy game forced him to don the gloves, and over time, he has grown seamlessly into the role.

Mohammed Shami Returns to His Den

Mohammed Shami’s new-ball spell at Eden Gardens was nothing short of a dream. In the first over, bowling to Finn Allen, the veteran Indian pacer put on a masterclass, bamboozling the Kiwi by moving the ball both ways. Shami, who is enjoying a cracking run of form, conceded only 11 runs in his initial spell, keeping the KKR batters on their toes. Returning in the 13th over, he gave away just five runs, eventually completing his four-over quota for just 27 runs. Although he went wicketless, his spell laid the foundation for a disciplined bowling effort by the Lucknow Super Giants. He was ably supported by Digvesh Rathi, who conceded just 25 runs while picking up a crucial wicket.

Finn Allen’s Catch Turns into a Controversy

Was it out or not out? In the second over, Finn Allen tried to pull a sharp bouncer from Prince Yadav but ended up getting a thick edge. As the ball flew toward the third-man region, Digvesh Rathi, who was stationed near the boundary rope, completed a seemingly clean catch. The on-field umpires asked Rathi for confirmation and trusted the fielder’s verdict as he celebrated his team’s first wicket of the evening. However, as television screens cut to slow-motion replays, the boundary cushion appeared to have been nudged slightly by Rathi’s toe. The third umpire did not review the catch thoroughly, leaving the Knights and their fanbase frustrated. Such decisions can impact games and the third umpire shouldn’t have taken a chance.

Former cricketer-turned-commentator Shreevats Goswami was convinced that the fielder’s foot touched the advertising board while taking the catch, stating that it clearly looked like a six. “That looked like a six isn’t? Clearly the foot touched the advertising board and could see it moving,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

7.1 Overs of Dot Balls

Although KKR managed to post a competitive score of 181/4 in 20 overs, the sheer volume of dot balls played by their batters was baffling. A total of 43 dot balls—including one bye and three leg byes—left the crowd of approximately 29,000 at Eden Gardens frustrated. Finn Allen recorded a strike rate of 112, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green finished with 136 and 133, respectively. Rinku Singh continued to disappoint, managing just four runs off seven balls. From 98/1 at the 10-over mark to 115/4 by the 15th over, KKR endured a remarkably poor middle-overs phase with the bat. Eventually, Rovman Powell struck an unbeaten 39 off 24 deliveries to lift them to a respectable total, but the dot balls ultimately came back to hurt KKR.

Sunil Narine Spins a Web

Bowling 14 dot balls in his four overs, Sunil Narine conceded just 13 runs and picked up a wicket, helping KKR build immense pressure. With wickets falling at the other end, Narine kept things tight on a pitch that increasingly assisted the spinners as the match progressed. Although Ayush Badoni played a stellar knock of 54 off 34 balls, the limelight was ultimately stolen by Mukul Choudhary, who carried LSG over the finish line. Meanwhile, Cameron Green bowled for the first time this season and succeeded in dismissing Rishabh Pant. While Vaibhav Arora and Anukul Roy claimed two wickets each, it was Narine who, operating across different phases, kept the LSG batters guessing with his guile and variations.

In the end it wasn’t enough with Mukul Chowdhury snatching victory from the jaws of defeat for LSG.

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