Lucknow Super Giants edged out Kolkata Knight Riders in a nail-biting finish on Thursday, sealing a last-ball win at Eden Gardens. Debutant Mukul Choudhary played the defining role in the successful chase, but the performance also sparked fresh debate around Rishabh Pant’s form and leadership, with former India batter Mohammed Kaif urging the captain to show more control and consistency.
LSG’s last-ball chase at Eden Gardens
Chasing a target of 182, Lucknow were pushed into trouble during the middle phase, yet they managed to turn the contest with a dramatic lower-order resurgence. The end result was a three-wicket victory that swung decisively in their favour as the match reached the final delivery.
- Kolkata Knight Riders set a competitive total of 181/4 after batting first
- Lucknow Super Giants completed the chase with three wickets in hand
- The deciding moment came on the last ball, where Mukul Choudhary held his nerve
KKR’s innings and Lucknow’s momentum shift
KKR posted 181/4 with meaningful contributions spread across the batting order, giving them a solid platform. Despite that, they were unable to fully convert their start into a match-winning advantage as the game tightened during Lucknow’s pursuit.
In reply, Lucknow’s progress faltered at one stage, but the innings changed character due to a fighting effort lower down the order. Ayush Badoni provided the stabilising presence, while Choudhary’s aggressive finishing brought the chase to life.
Debut hero Mukul Choudhary shines
Ayush Badoni anchored the chase with a composed half-century, offering calm in the pressure moments. However, it was the debutant Mukul Choudhary who stole the spotlight, producing a fearless 54 off 27 balls that ultimately decided the outcome.
- Ayush Badoni made a composed half-century to anchor the chase
- Mukul Choudhary scored 54 off 27 deliveries in only his debut match
- Choudhary’s innings not only completed the target but also marked his arrival at the top level
Mohammed Kaif questions Rishabh Pant’s captaincy and consistency
Even with Lucknow’s win, Mohammed Kaif raised concerns about Pant’s overall impact this season. Kaif pointed out that Pant has endured another disappointing outing, scoring just 10 runs, as Lucknow’s top order struggled during parts of the chase.
Kaif also stressed that Pant’s batting has lacked steadiness in the campaign so far—two low scores have come before a solitary half-century in his first three matches. Speaking on Star Sports, he argued that an experienced IPL campaigner like Pant should take more command of the chase and bat with purpose until the end.
- Kaif said Pant must “stay till the end” and take charge of the chase
- He noted Pant is an experienced player who has been part of the IPL since 2016
- Kaif highlighted that when Pant came in, the situation was not overly difficult because LSG had already reached 41 in the first five overs
- He added that one batter needed to assume responsibility and guide the chase, and that job was meant for Pant
Kaif further underlined the leadership angle, saying that a captain cannot help his team win if he is not willing to shoulder responsibility. While acknowledging that Pant had done well against SRH, Kaif insisted that one good performance followed by failures is not enough at this level.
He then advised Pant to read the match situation better and understand when to accelerate. Kaif also suggested that Pant should focus on building his innings more effectively and spend more time at the crease.
- Kaif said leadership means taking responsibility during the chase
- He argued that Pant needs consistency, not isolated success
- He urged Pant to judge the game state accurately and know when to speed up
- He advised Pant to build his innings and remain longer at the crease
With Lucknow finishing the chase in dramatic fashion, Choudhary’s debut heroics provided the spark—but Kaif’s comments ensured attention stayed on how Pant can turn leadership and batting into a more dependable force as the season progresses.
