Former Indian left-arm orthodox spinner Murali Kartik slammed Kolkata Knight Riders’ tactics after a three-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. Kartik questioned why Vaibhav Arora didn’t bowl at the stumps while defending 14 runs off the last over.
Avesh Khan was able to give the strike to Mukul Choudhary as took a single on the first ball. On the second ball, Choudhary smashed a six over deep square leg when Arora drifted down the leg side.
Subsequently, seven were needed off the last four balls but Arora nailed two wide yorkers while bowling from around the wicket angle. Arora then marginally missed his yorker on the penultimate ball and he was taken for a six over the extra cover boundary. Choudhary and Avesh Khan then sneaked a single on the last delivery to take LSG over the line.
Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz, “I was surprised with him going so far outside the off-stump, why didn’t Vaibhav Arora target the stumps? You just target the stumps. I was surprised he went chasing Mukul. That’s the kind of thing you want your players to practice. That’s the special awareness, situational awareness, and cricket smarts needed.”
“Just think of Bumrah. If you try doing that to Bumrah, Bumrah will go for the stumps. Sandeep Sharma or Jofra Archer are going for the stumps. That’s what you have to do. But also Mukul Choudhary, when you can hit it the way he can, you don’t need to do those funky things.”
Kartik defended KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, stating the skipper can’t do everything. KKR are yet to manage a win after four games in the tournament.
“The problem a captain has is he can do everything right, but if your players make you look silly, then all the best-laid plans can go to dust. Your bowlers have to bowl to their fields. It’s about the clutch moments and if you can deliver under pressure as a bowler. Anybody can deliver when there is no pressure. If you are doing something silly, then the captain is left scratching his head,” said Kartik (via the aforementioned source).
KKR will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Tuesday.
