Yesterday Match Result: Mukul’s late blitz stuns KKR as LSG seal last-ball thriller

NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants rode on a sensational late assault from Mukul Choudhary and a composed fifty from Ayush Badoni to script a dramatic three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a last-ball IPL thriller on Thursday.

Chasing 182 at Eden Gardens, LSG were in deep trouble at 128/7 in 16 overs despite Badoni’s 54. But Mukul, playing just his third IPL match, produced a stunning counterattack, smashing seven sixes en route to an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls to pull off a heist that seemed improbable.

Mukul, Avesh turn the game on its head

With 30 needed off the last two overs, Mukul took charge against Cameron Green, who was making his bowling return. The youngster hammered two sixes and a four in the penultimate over, shifting momentum decisively.

Needing 14 in the final over, Vaibhav Arora faltered under pressure as Mukul struck two more sixes, including a crucial hit off the penultimate ball. With one needed off the last delivery, Mukul and Avesh Khan scrambled through for a bye to seal victory.

The unbeaten 54-run stand between Mukul and Avesh, which came off just 24 balls, underlined KKR’s continuing struggles at the death.

KKR falter despite solid total

Earlier, KKR posted a competitive 181/4, with Rovman Powell (39) and Green (32) providing a late push. Ajinkya Rahane (41) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45) had laid a strong platform, adding 84 runs for the second wicket.

However, a familiar middle-overs slump saw KKR lose three wickets in quick succession, preventing them from crossing the 200-mark. Despite early breakthroughs from Arora and Green, the bowling unit failed to close out the game.

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KKR’s inexperience in pace bowling once again proved costly, especially at the death, as they slumped to their third loss in four matches.

LSG, meanwhile, registered back-to-back wins to climb into the top half of the table.

All eyes on Guwahati clash

Action now shifts to Guwahati, where table-toppers Rajasthan Royals take on unbeaten defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.