Mohammed Shami's last-ball six forced a Super Over in the IPL 2026 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday, but his effort ultimately went in vain as KKR sealed a comfortable win in the Super Over.
Super Over Drama
Batting first in the Super Over, LSG lost two wickets for just one run as Sunil Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram. Chasing a target of two runs, KKR wrapped up the contest on the very first ball, with Rinku Singh smashing a boundary to secure victory.
Pant's Reaction
The dejection and frustration of letting a win slip away were clearly visible on LSG captain Rishabh Pant's face during the post-match presentation. Pant emphasized the need for collective accountability after the defeat. Chasing 156, LSG finished on 155, with Shami smashing a six off the final ball of the innings, but his effort proved insufficient.
Speaking after the loss, Pant said the team needs a short break to reset and manage pressure better. "I think we definitely need a break. I think we're gonna refresh. There is always pressure, and it's gonna be a pressure game always, but at the same time, we have to look for answers inside, not outside. And just keep it simple. We need to take accountability - every guy. Like, it can't be about one or two guys. It has to be about the whole unit, and a lot of people will take accountability for that for sure," Pant said.
Super Over Selection
Lucknow Super Giants opted to send Nicholas Pooran out to bat in the Super Over despite his poor run of form. The left-hander has struggled in IPL 2026 so far, with his highest score in seven matches being just 22 off 25 balls. Pant explained the decision: "We discussed as a group, we had a discussion, and the name that came up was Nicholas Pooran. He might not go through the best form of his life, but at the same time, you will trust your player in a hard situation like this."
Pant admitted there were no excuses for the result. "No excuses there. Just looking at the positive, there might not be enough positive right now, but I think after the break, there will be a lot of enough positive for sure," he said.
Standings Impact
With this thrilling win, KKR moved to eighth place with five points from eight matches, while LSG slipped to the bottom of the IPL 2026 standings.
