A Night to Remember at Ekana
In one of the most dramatic contests of the IPL 2026 season, Kolkata Knight Riders edged past Lucknow Super Giants in a thrilling Super Over finish at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday, April 26. What seemed like a one-sided encounter for most of the evening was turned on its head by a stunning late surge from KKR, led by Rinku Singh’s unforgettable innings.
Chasing and defending both saw wild swings in momentum, but it was ultimately Sunil Narine’s brilliance in the Super Over that sealed a two-wicket victory for Kolkata. The win sparked emotional celebrations in the KKR camp, while Lucknow were left stunned after letting control slip at the death.
Mohsin Khan Tears Through KKR
After being put in to bat, Kolkata Knight Riders found themselves in immediate trouble against a relentless spell from Mohsin Khan. The left-arm pacer delivered a sensational performance, finishing with figures of 5 for 23, including a maiden over that set the tone early.
Mohsin’s ability to swing the ball and vary his pace proved too much for KKR’s top order. Ajinkya Rahane and Tim Seifert were dismissed cheaply, leaving the innings in disarray. Cameron Green attempted to stabilize things with a steady 34, but he too fell victim to Mohsin’s sharp bowling.
At 93 for 7 after 15 overs, KKR were staring at a below-par total. With most of their recognized batters back in the pavilion, even crossing 120 seemed unlikely. Lucknow Super Giants appeared firmly in control, dictating the pace of the game with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
Rinku Rewrites the Script
Just when the match looked beyond Kolkata’s reach, Rinku Singh produced an innings for the ages. Batting with the tail, he showed remarkable composure under pressure, refusing to let the situation dictate terms. Instead, he built his innings patiently before launching a breathtaking assault in the final overs.
Rinku reached 43 off 40 balls, carefully managing the strike and preserving wickets. Then came the explosion. In the 19th over, he attacked Mohammed Shami, striking a six followed by two boundaries to shift momentum. The final over was even more extraordinary, as he hammered four consecutive sixes off Digvesh Rathi, collecting 26 runs and propelling KKR to 155 for 7.
His unbeaten 83 off 51 balls not only marked the highest T20 score of his career but also transformed the match from a likely defeat into a competitive contest. It was a knock defined by courage, awareness, and flawless execution under pressure.
An IPL First: Obstructing the Field
Earlier in the match, a rare and controversial moment added another layer of intrigue. Angkrish Raghuvanshi became the first player in IPL history to be dismissed for obstructing the field. Attempting a quick single, he was sent back and, while diving to make his ground, appeared to change his running line, blocking a direct throw.
The decision, confirmed by the TV umpire, sparked widespread debate among players and fans. While technically correct under the laws of cricket, such dismissals remain rare, making the incident a historic talking point in IPL 2026.
Shami’s Six Forces a Super Over
Lucknow’s chase began steadily, with Rishabh Pant anchoring the innings with a composed 42 off 38 balls. He found support from Aiden Markram, and the duo added 49 runs to keep LSG on track. However, Kolkata’s spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy applied pressure through the middle overs, picking up crucial wickets and slowing the scoring rate.
The match came down to the final over, with LSG needing 17 runs. Kartik Tyagi, under immense pressure, bowled two beamers and was officially warned. Despite the tension, Mohammed Shami managed to connect with a full toss, launching it for a six over long-off to level the scores.
That moment sent the match into the first Super Over of IPL 2026, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Narine Ends It in Style
The Super Over turned out to be completely one-sided. Sunil Narine delivered a masterclass in mystery spin, dismissing Nicholas Pooran on the very first ball and removing Aiden Markram soon after. He conceded just a single run, leaving KKR with a minimal target.
Rinku Singh, carrying his momentum into the Super Over, wasted no time. Facing the first delivery, he struck a boundary to seal the victory instantly, capping off a remarkable personal performance.
The win lifted Kolkata Knight Riders to eighth place on the points table, keeping their campaign alive. For Lucknow Super Giants, however, it marked a fifth consecutive defeat, raising serious concerns about their ability to close out matches under pressure.
Written by 8JJ.com | April 27, 2026
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