3 moments that generated a buzz among fans in Match 15 ft. Mukul Choudhary

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an enthralling last-ball finish on Thursday, April 9. Rishabh Pant won the toss for LSG and elected to field first at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

While KKR lost opener Finn Allen early, skipper Ajinkya Rahane set a good platform with a quick-fire 41 off 24. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 45 off 35, while Rovman Powell (39* off 24) and Cameron Green (32* off 24) also came up with important contributions.

Digvesh Rathi was the pick of the LSG bowlers, conceding just 24 runs from four overs and dismissing Rahane. The home team ultimately posted 181/4 in 20 overs.

Lucknow were behind the required run-rate at the halfway mark, with 85/3 on the board in 10 overs. Ayush Badoni hit an impressive half-century, finishing with 54 off 34. It was Mukul Choudhary who took his team home with an unbeaten 54 off 27. Vaibhav Arora and Anukul Roy took two wickets each.

The Rishabh Pant-led LSG claimed their second win in three matches. They are currently fifth in the points table. KKR remain winless after four fixtures. They have just one point to their name from a washed-out fixture against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and are ninth in the standings.

On that note, let’s take a look at three moments from the encounter that generated a buzz among the fans.

#3 Cameron Green strikes in his first over to end Rishabh Pant’s knock

All-rounder Cameron Green made his bowling return in the match. He played as a specialist batter in the earlier matches to manage a lower back injury. The pacer made an impact straightaway, claiming the crucial wicket of Rishabh Pant.

Pant departed in the ninth over of the run chase after scoring just 10 runs off nine balls. He perished to a well-directed short ball. The LSG captain attempted the pull shot but was hurried by the extra bounce.

He ended up getting a top edge and was caught by Kartik Tyagi at short fine-leg. Green bowled two overs in the game, recording figures of 2-0-28-0.

#2 Digvesh Rathi’s boundary catch sparks controversy

KKR opener Finn Allen got out in the second over. He was caught by Digvesh Rathi at third man off fast bowler Prince Yadav’s bowling. Rathi, who was very close to the boundary cushions, did well to complete the catch.

While Allen was given out, replays showed that it was a very close call. The decision left fans divided, with some claiming that Rathi’s foot had touched the boundary while taking the catch.

Aakash Chopra, too, suggested in Hindi commentary that it appeared that Rathi may have touched the cushions. Watch the controversial catch:

#1 Mukul Choudhary’s last-over heroics to seal victory for LSG

Playing in just his third IPL match, uncapped Indian batter Mukul Choudhary delivered a splendid performance. He managed to score just two runs from eight balls, but staged a turnaround to finish with 54* off 27. The 21-year-old slammed seven sixes and two fours in his blistering knock.

LSG needed 13 runs from five balls after Avesh Khan took a single on the first delivery. Mukul held his nerve in the crunch moment, hitting two stunning sixes off Vaibhav Arora. With seven required from the last two deliveries, the youngster cleared the boundary on the off side for a maximum.

The equation came down to one needed from the final ball. Arora dished out a short ball, and Mukul attempted the pull but failed to connect. The ball went into the hands of wicketkeeper Angkrish Raghuvanshi. He failed to produce a direct hit with an overarm throw, and the two batters scampered through for a quick single.