Vaibhav Arora Praises Team Effort After Thrilling KKR Win Over LSG

Kolkata, April 27, 2026: Following Kolkata Knight Riders’ tense victory over Lucknow Super Giants, pacer Vaibhav Arora credited disciplined bowling, smart execution, and a match-changing knock by Rinku Singh for the team’s success.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Arora said the bowling unit remained calm under pressure in the closing overs and focused on using the larger side of the boundary to their advantage. He explained that with high-scoring chases becoming common in the tournament, defending 156 required precision and composure.

“We wanted to bowl outside off-stump and force the batters to target the longer boundary. Once the required run rate kept climbing, scoreboard pressure helped us,” said Arora.

Reflecting on the pitch conditions, Arora described the surface as challenging but still chaseable. He highlighted KKR’s strong start with the ball, conceding only 37 runs in the powerplay while also taking an early wicket.

“We had momentum from the beginning. Then our spinners controlled the middle overs brilliantly,” he added, while praising Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy for their impactful performances.

Arora also reserved special praise for Rinku Singh’s late innings cameo, calling it the decisive moment of the match.

“We won because of that knock. Those four sixes in the final over made the difference and helped us post a competitive total,” he said.

On handling pressure in the death overs after bowling in the powerplay, Arora emphasized preparation and adaptability. He noted that while new-ball bowling requires attacking lengths and swing, death overs demand adjustments based on pitch and ground conditions.

“The slower ball worked well today because there was grip on the wicket. My preparation is always based on contributing both with the new ball and at the death,” he said.

When asked about the super over strategy, Arora revealed there was complete trust in Narine to take responsibility with the ball.

“We knew our best bowler was Sunil Narine. Everyone trusted him completely. He delivered once again and gave us the advantage immediately,” Arora concluded.

KKR’s hard-fought win showcased resilience, tactical awareness, and crucial individual contributions as they continue their IPL campaign with momentum.