A match that swung dramatically at different stages ended up turning into a story of momentum, mistakes and a late twist. Mohsin Khan produced the kind of spell that can change the complexion of an IPL contest, taking the first five-wicket haul of the IPL 2026 season. For long stretches it looked like Lucknow Super Giants were on course to take the points—until a Super Over and several questionable moments changed the narrative, with Kolkata Knight Riders emerging victorious.
Speaking during the interval on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, former T20 World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite highlighted Mohsin’s straightforward approach. “We discussed the value of fast bowlers being consistent—metronomic with their length—and staying disciplined, even if it means being a little ‘boring’. He got some assistance, and once he shortened his length, he really hammered the surface. Sometimes you’ll see bowlers trying to park the ball on a good length in the hope of luck, but this time he attacked and punished it,” Brathwaite said.
Mohsin’s spell began with a wicket maiden, then he struck again in his second over during the powerplay. He also found a breakthrough with his first delivery in the seventh over, and after that burst he had only one more wicket left to take for the remainder of the innings. Lucknow chose to keep him as a front-loaded option, and he repaid that faith with more damage, including the dismissal of Cameron Green, who made 34 off 21 balls. By the time Mohsin finished his quota—4 for 1 for 23 and 5 wickets—KKR were left reeling at 73 for 6.
Brathwaite also pointed to the captaincy element behind Mohsin’s comeback. “I liked it when he returned for that 11th over. Pant gave him the over, and Mohsin came in knowing it was an attacking phase—he had to take wickets and go hard. That felt like a two-wicket over, and it effectively stopped any chance of the batting side settling in during that stretch. It was a little risky, and I even noted it as good captaincy—then the third six went—though was it? [laughs] But I still think he read the pitch well. He understood his role: come back, get wickets, and attack. The way he set it up earlier with disciplined bowling made the later aggression possible,” he added.
Mohsin had arrived in the IPL in 2022 and had looked sharp right away as a left-arm fast bowler, collecting 14 wickets across nine matches while keeping an economy rate of 5.96. However, injuries have disrupted his momentum since then, and he missed last year’s IPL entirely.
Former India batter and batting coach Sanjay Bangar said Mohsin’s main requirement is a return to peak physical condition. “It’s been a long time, and it’s really about getting back to his prime fitness. He is a player with a specific skillset that we don’t have in large quantity among Indian talent. We have plenty of batters, but what we often lack is left-arm variety. In that World Cup-winning group, Arshdeep Singh was the only clear specialist for that role,” Bangar remarked.
Bangar further explained why Mohsin stands out within the left-arm pool. “If you look at the group of left-arm seamers available, he impresses the most because of the extra bounce he generates, the way he can hit the right length, and the heavy ball he bowls. That’s always been the talk around him. He has all the ingredients to be a top left-arm seamer, and the selectors should be keeping a close eye on that,” he said.
With the result settled after the Super Over drama, Lucknow Super Giants now take a break before their next outing against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on May 6.
