Lucknow: The dramatic Indian Premier League 2026 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders raised an important rules question: why couldn’t LSG use their best bowler, Mohsin Khan, in the Super Over despite his match-winning five-wicket haul?
The answer lies in the IPL’s Impact Player rule, which ultimately ruled him out of participating in the decisive over.
Match recap: thriller goes to Super Over
The contest turned into a nail-biter, with Rinku Singh starring for KKR. His unbeaten 83 off 51 balls helped KKR recover from 93/7 to post 155/7.
LSG, despite a shaky chase, managed to level the scores, thanks to a last-ball six from Mohammed Shami, forcing the game into a Super Over.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the tie-breaker.
Why Mohsin Khan was unavailable
Mohsin Khan had earlier produced a sensational spell, picking up 5/23 and dismantling KKR’s batting line-up. Naturally, fans expected him to bowl the Super Over.
But Mohsin had already been substituted out of the match as part of the Impact Player rule. Mitchell Marsh came in as his replacement.
As per IPL regulations, once a player is substituted out, he cannot return to take further part in the game—including batting, bowling, or fielding.
This meant that despite being LSG’s most effective bowler on the day, Mohsin was ineligible to bowl in the Super Over.
Understanding the Impact Player rule
The Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute one player during a match to provide tactical flexibility. However, it comes with a key limitation: the substituted player is completely out of the game.
This rule has added a new strategic dimension to IPL matches, forcing teams to carefully decide when and whom to substitute.
In LSG’s case, bringing in Mitchell Marsh strengthened their batting, but it also meant losing Mohsin’s bowling option at a crucial stage.
Narine turns the game
In the absence of Mohsin, LSG had to rely on other bowlers in the Super Over. Meanwhile, KKR turned to the experienced Sunil Narine.
Narine delivered a match-winning performance, conceding just one run and picking up two wickets in three balls. He dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, leaving LSG stunned.
Rinku finishes in style
Chasing a target of just two runs in the Super Over, KKR wasted no time. Rinku Singh fittingly sealed the win with a boundary off the very first ball, completing a remarkable all-round performance.
Apart from his batting heroics, Rinku also impressed in the field, taking multiple catches during the match.
Tactical trade-off proves costly
LSG’s decision to substitute Mohsin Khan reflects the double-edged nature of the Impact Player rule. While it allows teams to strengthen a particular department, it can also backfire if the substituted player is needed later in the game.
In hindsight, losing their best bowler for the Super Over proved costly, especially in a match that was decided by the finest of margins.
Conclusion
The reason behind Mohsin Khan’s absence in the Super Over highlights how crucial strategy and rule awareness have become in modern T20 cricket. The Impact Player rule, while innovative, demands precise decision-making from teams.
For LSG, the gamble did not pay off this time. As the IPL progresses, teams may need to rethink how they use substitutions—especially in matches that could go down to the wire.