IPL Pulse: Backed, not jacked

Good morning,

It's Friday, and a 21-year-old has already done more with his night than most of us will all weekend. Here's today's edition of Cricbuzz Pulse, your 2-min scan of the IPL universe.

Last night in five lines

1. LSG pulled off an absolute heist, chasing down 182 off the last ball.

2. At the centre of their remarkable chase was Mukul Choudhary who revived a game that looked dead and buried with a calm 54* off 27.

3. LSG needed 54 off the last four overs when Mukul and Avesh Khan shared a 54-run stand. Avesh's contribution was 1 run.

4. All of Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran were bounced out by short balls.

5. After cruising to 98/1 at the halfway stage, KKR slumped 115/4 by the 15th over before a 70-run stand between Cameron Green and Rovman Powell took them to 181/4.

Oh, that happened

CAMERON GREEN BOWLED. And he also picked up Rishabh Pant's wicket with a short ball. After all that hullabaloo, starting with Green signing up to the auction as a 'batter' and not an 'all-rounder', all the back-and-forth with Cricket Australia, and plenty of speculation, Green was finally back (pun intended) with ball in hand. And his back seemed to hold up alright too with him dishing out short balls and whatnot. He only bowled two overs though, probably not because he couldn't bowl more but because he'd conceded 28 runs already!

Pulse Awards

The headliner award goes to Mukul Choudhary not just for his incredible knock but also for his replies at the press conference.

The back-again award goes to Cameron Green's back for backing him enough for him to be back bowling again.

The take-your-time award goes to DRS graphics for never being in a hurry when called for.

The visionary award goes to Mukul Choudhary's father for dreaming about cricketer son even before being married.

The I-was-there award goes to Avesh Khan for being at the non-striker's end to witness another thrilling chase.

Talking Point

KKR's batting against spin and consequently, their batting in the middle-overs is beginning to become a serious concern. After being 98/1 in 10 overs, they managed just 17 runs off the next five overs. While they got to 181 thanks to Green and Powell, and that they seemed happy with the score, the result will force them to wonder if they left 10-20 runs on the table.

The Chatter

"I used to watch how MS Dhoni would finish games," Mukul Choudhary said after the game and not a soul doubted him for the very first six he struck was an uncannily familiar helicopter over long-on. "I bat at the same number. He inspired me early in my career, I finished the game and would dedicate it to him," he went on.

The opposition skipper was among those who were left awestruck by the 21-year-old from Rajasthan. "He was really brave to play those shots. There were some brilliant shots. I thought there were a couple of brilliant deliveries (bowled), but the way he batted was amazing," said Rahane.

Stat Snack

Ayush Badoni struck a defining 54 of his own and in the process became just the third batter to score over 1000 runs for LSG.

Gossip Column

Word is that Rishabh Pant was extra relieved last night, not just because LSG won but because he wouldn't have to put in overtime after most, including the crowd, had already left the venue.

Today's watchlist

A clash of the unbeatens as Rajasthan Royals take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Guwahati. This will be RCB's first game at the venue, provided the rain stays away.

Reckless prediction for today

It will rain and the game will be called off after 4.5 overs of play in the second innings, just one ball shy of reaching a result using DLS.