Mukul Choudhary Rescues LSG in Last-Ball Thriller Against KKR as Mohammad Kaif Questions Rishabh Pant’s Leadership
The Lucknow Super Giants secured a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday. While debutant Mukul Choudhary emerged as the hero with a match-winning half-century, LSG captain Rishabh Pant faced severe criticism from former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif for his inability to finish the chase.
KKR Posts Competitive Total Before LSG Fightback
Batting first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a challenging 181/4, utilizing solid contributions across their batting order. Despite a strong foundation, the KKR lineup struggled to accelerate in the final overs against the Lucknow bowling attack. In response, LSG lost early wickets, placing immediate pressure on their middle order before Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary stabilized the innings.
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 181/4 (20 Overs) | Middle Order Contributors |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 182/7 (20 Overs) | Mukul Choudhary (54 off 27) |
Justin Langer’s Faith Rewards Mukul Choudhary
Midway through the chase, LSG required a substantial partnership. Ayush Badoni anchored the innings with a measured half-century, setting the stage for debutant Mukul Choudhary. Backed by head coach Justin Langer, Choudhary struck a fearless 54 off 27 deliveries. The match culminated on the final delivery, with Choudhary maintaining his composure to secure the victory and announce his arrival in the Indian Premier League.
Mohammad Kaif Scrutinizes Rishabh Pant
Despite the win, the performance of LSG skipper Rishabh Pant drew sharp criticism. Pant managed only 10 runs before being dismissed, extending a run of inconsistent form that includes two low scores and a solitary half-century in his first three matches of the season.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo and Star Sports broadcasts, Mohammad Kaif highlighted Pant’s poor game awareness and failure to anchor the chase.
- Lack of Match Awareness: Kaif noted that LSG had already reached 41 runs in the first five overs, providing a platform that required sensible strike rotation rather than high-risk shots.
- Failure to Lead: Kaif emphasized that experienced players must stay at the crease to guide the lower order.
- Inconsistency: Pant’s failure to back up a solid performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad with consistent runs remains a concern for the LSG management.
“The team needed him to stay till the end,” Kaif stated during the post-match analysis. “He is an experienced player and has been playing in the IPL since 2016. The situation when he came in wasn’t very difficult, LSG had already scored 41 in the first five overs. One batter needed to take responsibility and guide the chase, and that role was meant for Pant.”
Kaif further emphasized the demands of captaincy, noting that leaders must perform reliably under pressure to drive team success. “As captain, if you do not take responsibility, you cannot help your team win games. Yes, he did well against SRH, but he needs consistency. One good innings followed by failures isn’t enough. He must read the match situation better and understand when to accelerate,” he added.
Pant will look to silence his critics and improve his tactical approach when the Lucknow Super Giants take the field for their next fixture.