Rahane Reflects on Narrow Defeat and Praises Mukul's Performance

In a gripping IPL 2026 encounter, Kolkata Knight Riders faced a narrow defeat against Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed pride in his team's performance while highlighting Mukul Choudhary's pivotal role in LSG's victory. Rahane also defended his bowlers and discussed tactical decisions during the match. The thrilling finish saw LSG chase down 182 runs, with key contributions from both teams. Read on for a detailed analysis of the match and Rahane's insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 10, 2026, 00:53 IST

Rahane on 'Tough' Loss and Mukul's 'Defining' Knock

Ajinkya Rahane, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), shared his disappointment following a close three-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2026 match held at Eden Gardens. He acknowledged Mukul Choudhary's outstanding performance, which played a crucial role in LSG's victory. Rahane stated, "It was a tough loss. I am really proud of how the team performed. Mukul's innings was pivotal. His shot selection was impressive... In matches like these, it's not productive to focus on every detail. Minor execution errors can occur, but we must give credit to Mukul and the partnership he formed."

The KKR skipper noted that LSG batters took full advantage of their opportunities, particularly during the death overs. He remarked, "Those deliveries worked well for them. They had nothing to lose and played aggressively. The shots they played were exceptional. Mukul's batting was remarkable," he added.

KKR Skipper Backs Bowlers, Explains Tactics

Despite the defeat, Rahane expressed confidence in his bowling team, saying, "I believe our bowlers performed well. After a loss, it's natural to reflect on what could have been improved. A score of 180-185 was quite competitive on this pitch."

Discussing the strategy for the final over, Rahane explained, "Our aim was to keep him on strike, but we needed to have five players inside the circle. It's challenging for bowlers to deliver in the last over with five fielders up."

Match Summary: LSG Clinch Last-Ball Thriller

In a thrilling finish, Lucknow Super Giants triumphed over Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets, successfully chasing down 182 runs in IPL 2026. Key contributions came from Ayush Badoni (54) and Mukul Choudhary (54*), with Choudhary's explosive batting sealing the win in the final overs.

Earlier, KKR set a target of 181/4, thanks to solid performances from Ajinkya Rahane (41), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45), along with a late surge from Rovman Powell and Cameron Green.