Lucknow Super Giants beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 3 wickets in Match 15 of the Indian Premier League, getting home off the final ball after Mukul Choudhary’s stunning 54 off 27 turned a tense chase on its head. In reply to KKR’s 181/4, LSG finished on 182/7 and strengthened their early-season push with a dramatic win.

The result extended the IPL league phase rather than deciding anything outright, but it gave Lucknow another valuable victory in a tightly packed schedule. Coming into this fixture, 14 matches had produced a spread of results across the competition, from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening win to Gujarat Titans’ one-run escape in Match 14, and this contest added another finish right at the wire. With Match 15 now complete, the tournament rolls on with Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru next on Friday, April 10.

KKR build a competitive 181

Kolkata’s innings was shaped by contributions across the order rather than one overwhelming score. Ajinkya Rahane set the early tempo with 41 off 24, striking four fours and two sixes, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi continued his strong tournament form with 45 off 33. Their positive work ensured KKR kept the innings moving even as Lucknow found intermittent breakthroughs.

Finn Allen made 9 off 8 before falling, and Cameron Green added 32 from 24 to keep the platform intact through the middle overs. KKR then found an important late push through Rovman Powell, whose 39 off 24 injected fresh momentum at the death with four fours and two sixes. Rinku Singh’s 4 off 7 was the only notably quiet hand in an otherwise efficient batting display, and 181/4 looked a total that would require a composed chase.

Lucknow’s bowling figures reflected that KKR were rarely fully in command. Digvesh Rathi was the standout with 1/25 in his four overs, while Mohammed Shami was economical for 0/27. Manimaran Siddharth’s 1/34 also helped prevent the total from climbing beyond the 190 mark, even if Prince Yadav’s 1/47 and Avesh Khan’s 1/44 came under pressure.

Chase swings wildly before Mukul finishes it

Lucknow’s pursuit never settled into a straight line. Mitchell Marsh began with 15 off 11 and Aiden Markram added 22 off 15, giving LSG a brisk start, but Kolkata kept striking often enough to stop a clean takeover. Rishabh Pant made 10 off 9, Nicholas Pooran managed 13 off 15, and Abdul Samad fell for 2 off 4, leaving the chase vulnerable at a stage when the asking rate could easily have climbed beyond control.

That is where Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary changed the match. Badoni’s 54 off 34 was a high-quality innings, packed with seven fours and two sixes, and it gave Lucknow the middle-overs acceleration they badly needed. But the defining blows came from Mukul, who blasted 54 off just 27 deliveries at a strike rate of 200, clearing the ropes seven times. His power hitting transformed pressure into possibility and ensured the equation stayed alive all the way to the last ball.

Even then, KKR had their moments. Vaibhav Arora struck twice for 2/38, Anukul Roy matched him with 2/32, and Sunil Narine applied a squeeze that almost changed the result with a superb 1/13 in four overs. Kartik Tyagi took 1/31, while Cameron Green chipped in with 1/28 from two overs. But despite those breakthroughs, Kolkata could not land the final punch as Lucknow reached 182/7 with no balls remaining.

Key performers

Lucknow Super Giants: Mukul Choudhary 54 (27), Ayush Badoni 54 (34), Aiden Markram 22 (15); Digvesh Rathi 1/25 (4), Manimaran Siddharth 1/34 (4), Mohammed Shami 0/27 (4).

Kolkata Knight Riders: Angkrish Raghuvanshi 45 (33), Ajinkya Rahane 41 (24), Rovman Powell 39 (24), Cameron Green 32 (24); Vaibhav Arora 2/38 (4), Anukul Roy 2/32 (4), Sunil Narine 1/13 (4).

NerdSports Stat: Mukul Choudhary hit 7 sixes in his 54, meaning 77.8% of his runs came in maximums — a remarkable finishing ratio in a successful chase completed off the final ball.

For KKR, there was encouragement again in the continued form of Raghuvanshi and Rahane, both of whom have been among their more productive batters this season. For LSG, this was another reminder of their depth: Marsh and Pant are among their leading run-scorers in the tournament, yet this chase was sealed by Badoni and Mukul instead. In a league where momentum can turn quickly, that flexibility may prove crucial.

After 15 matches in this Indian Premier League season, the competition remains wide open, and this result keeps LSG firmly in the mix while KKR are left to rue the handful of moments that slipped away in the chase. With Rajasthan Royals set to meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru next, the table pressure will only intensify from here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants?

Lucknow Super Giants won the match by 3 wickets (0 balls remaining).

Who was the Player of the Match?

Mukul Choudhary was named Player of the Match for his 54 off 27 in the chase.

What is the series standing after this match?

This was Match 15 of 20 in the Indian Premier League, and the result extends the league phase with Lucknow Super Giants adding another win as the tournament continues.

Who was the top scorer in this match?

Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary top-scored with 54, with Mukul making his 54 off 27 balls.

When is the next match in the series?

The next match in the series is Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday, April 10.