Watch: Vaibhav Arora's double-wicket over troubles LSG in IPL 2026 clash vs KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), despite losing regular wickets in the middle order, posted a strong score of 181 runs in their allotted 20 overs during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against the Lucknow Super Giants at the iconic Eden Gardens. It was possible because of Rovman Powell’s strong knock of 39 runs in 24 balls and contributions from the top order.

It was a vital clash for the Ajinkya Rahane-led side, who came into the encounter with one shared point against the Punjab Kings, followed by the opening defeats against the Mumbai Indians and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Vaibhav Arora picks two wickets in one over to hurt LSG 

Chasing 182 in the modern era would never be a tough job for teams, especially in the evening if they keep wickets in hand. And that was why KKR needed to pick early wickets inside the power play. But Lucknow raced away to 41 without any damage in four overs.

Rahane introduced Vaibhav Arora into the attack as the right-arm pacer drew first blood on his very first ball of the game. It was a short delivery, and Aiden Markram tried to pull the ball over the deep mid-wicket region for a six. But the ball bounced higher as the batter didn’t get the elevation and was caught near the rope.

Watch the video here:

Just after the new batter, Rishabh Pant, gave the strike back to Mitchell Marsh, Arora caged the big fish. It was another short ball. Marsh tried to pull it on and got the glove on it. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the wicket-keeper, made no mistake, and the umpire raised his finger without a second thought. 

Vaibhav seemed to understand the right lengths on the surface as he troubled the batters.

LSG struggle early in 182-run chase 

Both Markram and Marsh were vital for Lucknow’s success in the previous season of the IPL. And Arora was phenomenal by troubling the Australian and South African batter with a short ball. Neither could understand the bounce and were taken aback. However, they needed to take the required run rate of more than 10, while it went a touch over nine after eight overs.

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Earlier, Rahane smashed 41 runs in just 24 balls at a strike rate of 170.83, thanks to four fours and two sixes, while Raghuvanshi smacked 45 runs in 33 balls, shouldering on five boundaries and two sixes.

Brief Scores: (at the time of writing)- LSG 85/3 (A Badoni 23*, V Arora 2/14) vs KKR 181/4 (A Raghuvanshi 45, D Rathi 1/25) 

Fans react to Arora’s double-wicket over

Here is how the fans have reacted to Arora picking two wickets in his very first over against Lucknow-