Last-ball heartbreak at Eden Gardens as Mukul Choudhary stuns KKR with match-winning blitz

Kolkata witnessed yet another night of high drama at Eden Gardens, but this time, it ended in heartbreak for Kolkata Knight Riders as a sensational late assault from Mukul Choudhary powered Lucknow Super Giants to a stunning last-ball victory on April 9.

Defending 181, KKR appeared firmly in control for the majority of the chase. A disciplined spin choke led by Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy kept the visitors under pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals. The dismissals of Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran seemed to have tilted the game decisively in Kolkata’s favour.

However, the script flipped dramatically.

Mukul’s fearless counterattack turns the tide

Walking in with the chase slipping away, the 21-year-old from Rajasthan bided his time before launching a calculated onslaught. With wickets tumbling around him and only Avesh Khan for support, Mukul took it upon himself to finish the job.

He began his charge in the 17th over and never looked back—taking apart Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi and Cameron Green with a flurry of boundaries and towering sixes.

The contest went down to the final over, with tension gripping Eden Gardens. Needing seven off two balls, Mukul held his nerve, smashing a crucial six to reduce the equation to one off the last delivery. A desperate scamper for a single—despite a direct hit from Angkrish Raghuvanshi—sealed a famous win for Lucknow.

“Pressure is also an opportunity to make a name,” Mukul said after the match, reflecting on his match-winning knock.

KKR’s control undone in final moments

Earlier, KKR’s bowling unit had executed their plans to near perfection. Narine was at his economical best, while the pacers mixed variations effectively to keep LSG in check.

Even after Ayush Badoni’s fighting 54 off 34 balls ended in the 13th over, the hosts looked set to secure their first win of the season. But Mukul’s late blitz turned certainty into collapse, leaving KKR winless after three matches in IPL 2026.

Controversy, tactics and missed opportunities

The match also saw a contentious moment early on when Finn Allen was adjudged caught at the boundary by Digvesh Rathi, despite replays suggesting a possible rope contact. The decision denied KKR crucial runs and added to their frustrations.

Questions will also be raised about KKR’s batting approach. Despite being 98/1 at the halfway mark, they managed only 181/4, with acceleration stalling in the middle overs. Notably, finishers like Andre Russell, Anukul Roy and Narine did not face a single delivery—highlighting a conservative approach that may have cost them a bigger total.

A star is born under pressure

For Lucknow, the night belonged entirely to Mukul Choudhary. Backed by head coach Justin Langer, the young batter showcased composure, power and clarity under immense pressure.

Hailing from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, Mukul’s rise now carries the promise of a new IPL finisher—one who thrives when the odds are stacked high.

On a night filled with twists, it was his fearless belief that stood tallest—turning a near-certain defeat into a heist that Eden Gardens will not forget anytime soon.