Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: A stunning late surge from Mukul Choudhary and Avesh Khan rewrote the record books as Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a dramatic three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a last-ball thriller at Eden Gardens on Thursday.The defining moment of the contest was the unbeaten 54-run partnership between Mukul and Avesh for the eighth wicket — now the highest stand for the 8th wicket or lower in a successful IPL chase. The remarkable stand, which came off just 24 balls, flipped the script and exposed KKR’s struggles at the death.Chasing 182, LSG were reeling at 128/7 in 16 overs despite a composed 54 from Ayush Badoni. But Mukul, playing just his third IPL game, produced a sensational counterattack that will be remembered for years.
Mukul Choudhary’s six-hitting blitz enters record books
Mukul’s innings was not just about impact but also about milestones. He smashed seven sixes — the most by an LSG batter while batting at No.7 or below. That tally also equals the record for the most sixes hit by any batter from that position in a successful IPL chase, matching Dwayne Bravo’s feat for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians in 2018.As the pressure mounted, Mukul found an able ally in Avesh, and together they scripted history with their match-winning stand. The partnership not only sealed an unlikely victory but also highlighted LSG’s growing dominance over KKR. This was LSG’s fifth win in seven head-to-head meetings against KKR, including their third victory at Eden Gardens in four attempts.ALSO READ: Sanjiv Goenka’s emotional hug for Mukul Choudhary goes viral after LSG win — WatchKKR falter at the death againFacing Cameron Green in the penultimate over, Mukul smashed two sixes and a four to swing momentum. With 14 needed off the final over, he held his nerve against Vaibhav Arora, launching two more sixes, including a decisive blow off the penultimate delivery.Needing just one run off the last ball, Mukul and Avesh scrambled through to complete the chase, sealing LSG’s second last-ball victory in a run chase after their famous one-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023.Earlier, KKR had posted 181/4 but failed to close out the game, with their inexperienced pace attack once again faltering under pressure.
