Match 38 of the 2026 TATA IPL, contested between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), concluded in a dramatic Super Over victory for KKR after both teams finished their regulated 20 overs tied at 155 runs. The fixture was characterized by exceptional individual performances, including a five-wicket haul by LSG’s Mohsin Khan and a match-saving 83* from KKR vice-captain Rinku Singh.

The match also highlighted critical applications of the IPL Playing Conditions, specifically regarding “Obstructing the Field” dismissals and the adjudication of non-dangerous “No balls.” Following this result, KKR moved to eighth position on the league table with five points, while LSG plummeted to the bottom of the standings with four points.

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Match 38 Detailed Recap

KKR Innings: Collapse and Recovery

Kolkata Knight Riders faced an immediate crisis, struggling to build momentum against an aggressive LSG bowling attack.

• Early Wickets: KKR’s top order failed to establish a foundation. Captain Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed by Mohsin Khan, followed by Tim Seifert and Rovman Powell.
• Mohsin Khan’s Dominance: Mohsin Khan delivered an outstanding spell, recording figures of 5 for 23. His tactics involved utilizing the slow black soil pitch to generate bounce and deploying deceptive cutters. He claimed the “prize wicket” of Cameron Green (34), who had briefly threatened with consecutive sixes.
• The Rinku Singh Catalyst: Entering with KKR in “big trouble,” Rinku Singh anchored the innings. After a cautious start, he “unleashed” in the final overs, punishing Mohammed Shami and Digvesh Rathi. KKR scored 43 runs in the final two overs, with Rinku hitting four consecutive sixes against Rathi. He finished 83* off 51 balls.

LSG Innings: The Chase and Regulation Tie

Lucknow’s pursuit of 156 was marked by a lack of direction from senior players despite a solid mid-innings platform.

• Core Partnerships: Rishabh Pant (42) and Aiden Markram (31) added 57 runs for the second wicket. However, both fell to KKR’s tactical bowling; Markram to Green’s “pace-off” delivery and Pant to Sunil Narine while attempting a reverse scoop.
• Domestic Resilience: Ayush Badoni and Himmat Singh kept LSG in the hunt, reducing the requirement to 17 runs off the final over.
• Last Over Drama: Bowler Kartik Tyagi delivered two successive waist-high no-balls. Under Clause 41.7/13.7, Tyagi was permitted to continue bowling because the second delivery was deemed “not deliberate and not deemed dangerous” by officials.
• The Final Ball: With LSG needing 8 runs from 3 balls, Mohammed Shami struck a last-ball six against Tyagi to level the scores at 155.

The Super Over

In the season’s first Super Over, KKR’s experience proved decisive.

• LSG Batting: Sunil Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, limiting LSG to just 1 run for the loss of 2 wickets—the lowest score in IPL Super Over history.
• KKR Batting: Rinku Singh, continuing his “wonderful day,” scored the required two runs on the first ball to secure the win.

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Player Performance Profiles

Rinku Singh (KKR)

The 2026 season continues Rinku’s trajectory as a primary “finisher” for KKR.

• Match 38 Impact: 83* runs, 4 catches in the field.
• 2026 Season Stats (to date): 8 matches, 215 runs, 53.75 average, 141.45 strike rate.
• Historical Context: Since his 2023 breakthrough (averaging 59.25), Rinku has become central to KKR’s plans, especially in the absence of Andre Russell. He was appointed vice-captain for the 2026 season.

Mohsin Khan (LSG)

• Performance: 5/23 in Match 38.
• Tactics: Used “into-the-body” angles and the “black soil pitch” to stifle KKR’s engine room.

Sunil Narine (KKR)

• Impact: Acted as the “familiar savior” in the Super Over, conceding zero runs while taking two wickets.

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Regulatory and Technical Analysis

The match served as a case study for several TATA IPL 2026 Playing Conditions.

“Obstructing the Field” (Clause 37)

KKR’s Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dismissed for 9 in a “controversial manner.”

• The Incident: After nudging the ball to mid-on, Raghuvanshi attempted a single but was sent back. In his dive to return to the crease, he moved into the line of Mohammed Shami’s throw.
• The Decision: Third Umpire Rohit Pandit ruled that the batter had “significantly changed his direction” (Clause 37.1.4) and obstructed the fielder’s attempt.

No Ball Adjudication (Clause 21 & 41)

• Waist-High Deliveries: Kartik Tyagi bowled two waist-high tosses in the final over. Typically, two such deliveries lead to a bowler’s suspension. However, the officials ruled the second was not deliberate/dangerous, allowing Tyagi to finish the over.
• Free Hits (Clause 21.19): Every No Ball resulted in a Free Hit, though field changes were restricted unless the striker changed.

Ball Replacement (Clause 4.4)

• Second Innings Rule: The team bowling second (KKR) is permitted to request a ball change once after the completion of the 10th over, regardless of dew conditions. The umpires must change the ball with one of similar wear.

Super Over Framework (Appendix F)

• Tie-Breaking: If a Super Over is tied, subsequent Super Overs are played for up to one hour until a winner is determined.
• Player Eligibility: Any unserved “Penalty time” from the main match carries forward into the Super Over.

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IPL 2026 Tournament Standings

As of April 27, 2026, the league table reflects a highly competitive mid-season:

Position	Team	Points	Status/Note
1-7	Various	–	Includes Punjab Kings (unbeaten), SRH, GT
8	Kolkata Knight Riders	5	Gained two spots after Match 38
9	–	–	–
10	Lucknow Super Giants	4	Plummeted to bottom of the pile

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Match 39: Delhi Capitals vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Delhi)
• Match 40: Punjab Kings vs. Rajasthan Royals (New Chandigarh)
• Match 41: Mumbai Indians vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad (Mumbai)

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Key Quotes from the Field

• On KKR’s Mindset: “Rishabh Pant said in the last game they needed to look internally and not outwards.”
• On Rinku Singh’s Finish: “Rinku unleashed… like a pitcher full of water to a starving person.”
• On the Super Over Outcome: “It had to be Rinku Singh… you select a moment in this game you’ll find Rinku Singh is bang in the middle of it all.”
• On LSG’s Strategic Failure: “None of [the big names] could give direction and shape to LSG’s chase.”