Kolkata Knight Riders fell to their third defeat of IPL 2026, losing to Lucknow Super Giants in a last-ball thriller at Eden Gardens on Thursday. KKR are now ninth in the ten-team table, with one point from four matches. But West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell, a part of the KKR team, backed the side to make a turnaround.
Rovman Powell backed KKR to stage a turnaround. (PTI)
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Speaking after the match, Powell pointed out that KKR still have time to stage a comeback in their season, which has only just begun.
"If you look at IPL history, teams that win are the ones that peak in the middle and later stages. It’s not easy when you don’t start well, but our destiny is still in our hands. We still have games left. If we keep putting in the work, the results will come. Sometimes it’s not just about the result – tonight was a good game, we just ended up on the wrong side. But wins will come if we keep doing the right things," he said.
Rovman Powell impressed with Mukul Choudhary
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Praising Mukul Choudhary's 54*, he said, "You want to make Eden Gardens your fortress. It’s your home, you have your fans behind you, so it always feels good to win here. But unfortunately, tonight we weren’t able to do that. After scoring 180, we believed we could win the game. But the youngster batted really well."
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Praising Mukul Choudhary's 54*, he said, "You want to make Eden Gardens your fortress. It’s your home, you have your fans behind you, so it always feels good to win here. But unfortunately, tonight we weren’t able to do that. After scoring 180, we believed we could win the game. But the youngster batted really well."
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Rahane also received some criticism for his bowling selection in the match. Powell defended his captain, saying, "When it comes to using your best bowler in the 19th over, it depends on how the game pans out. Sometimes you’re under pressure and have to use your best bowlers earlier to give yourself a chance later. That’s what happened tonight."
Chasing a target of 182 runs, LSG managed to reach 182/7 in 20 overs, winning by three wickets. During his unbeaten 27-ball 54* knock, he also smacked two fours and seven sixes. Meanwhile, Ayush Badoni also got a half-century, registering 54 off 34 balls. Meanwhile Vaibhav Arora and Anukul Roy picked two-wicket hauls for KKR. Initially, Angkrish Raghuvanshi's 33-ball 45 took KKR to 181/4 in 20 overs. For LSG, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi and Avesh Khan took a wicket each.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Cricket/‘Our destiny is still in our hands’: Rovman Powell confident of KKR turnaround after LSG defeat
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