Good morning, and happy Friday. By the time most of us have finished our first coffee, a 21-year-old has already produced a night that will be hard to top over the rest of the weekend. Welcome to Cricbuzz Pulse, a quick, two-minute sweep of what’s happening across the IPL.
Last night in five lines
- LSG pulled off a stunning chase, completing it by hunting down a target of 182 with the finish coming down to the last ball.
- Mukul Choudhary was at the heart of that turnaround, injecting life into what looked like a game slipping away with a composed 54 not out off 27 deliveries.
- With 54 runs needed from the final four overs, Mukul and Avesh Khan stitched together a 54-run partnership; Avesh contributed just 1 run during that stand.
- Short-ball pressure did the damage as Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran all departed after facing deliveries on the shorter side.
- KKR raced to 98 for 1 at the halfway point, then lost momentum and slid to 115 for 4 by the 15th over, before a 70-run partnership between Cameron Green and Rovman Powell helped them reach 181 for 4.
Oh, that happened: Cameron Green struck early by bowling, and he also removed Rishabh Pant with a short delivery. For all the noise around Green—starting with his confirmation that he would be available in the auction window for IPL 2026 as a “batter” rather than an “all-rounder,” plus the subsequent back-and-forth involving Cricket Australia—he finally returned to action with the ball in hand. His back, too, seemed to hold up as he continued to bowl short balls and similar variations. He ended up delivering only two overs, though, which likely wasn’t due to inability—he had already conceded 28 runs.
Pulse Awards
- Headliner: Mukul Choudhary takes it—not only for the extraordinary knock, but also for the way he handled himself during the press conference.
- Back-again: Cameron Green’s back, for cooperating just enough to let him bowl again.
- Take-your-time: The DRS visuals, for never appearing hurried when a review is requested.
- Visionary: Mukul Choudhary’s father, for having dreamt of his son making it as a cricketer even before marriage.
- I-was-there: Avesh Khan, for staying at the non-striker’s end and witnessing yet another gripping chase unfold.
Talking Point
KKR’s struggles against spin—and, as a result, their batting during the middle overs—are beginning to look like a serious issue. After reaching 98 for 1 in 10 overs, they managed only 17 runs in the next five overs. Even though they got to 181 thanks to Green and Powell, the outcome will likely leave them wondering whether they left 10 to 20 runs behind.
The Chatter
After the match, Mukul Choudhary said, “I used to watch how MS Dhoni would finish games,” and the moment he struck his first six, it looked eerily familiar—a helicopter shot over long-on. He added, “I bat at the same number. He inspired me early in my career, I finished the game and would dedicate it to him.” The opposition captain also had praise for the 21-year-old from Rajasthan. “He was really brave to play those shots. There were some brilliant shots. I thought there were a couple of brilliant deliveries (bowled), but the way he batted was amazing,” Rahane said.
Stat Snack
Ayush Badoni made a decisive 54 of his own and, in the process, became only the third batter to cross 1000 runs for LSG.
Gossip Column
There’s a bit of chatter that Rishabh Pant was extra relieved after last night—not just because LSG won, but because he wouldn’t have to stay around for overtime after most, including the crowd, had already left the venue.
Today’s watchlist
Undefeated teams go head to head as Rajasthan Royals face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati. This will be RCB’s first match at the venue, assuming the rain holds off.
Reckless prediction for today
Expect rain, and a washout after 4.5 overs of the second innings—just one ball short of reaching a DLS result.
