In a nail-biting finish at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a gut-wrenching last-ball defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants, a result that left all-rounder Rovman Powell pointing to a contentious umpiring decision and a tricky pitch as key factors.

Defending 181, KKR seemed poised for victory with LSG reeling at 128/7 in the 16th over. However, a stunning, unbeaten 54 from Mukul Choudhary snatched the win for Lucknow on the final delivery, leaving the Knight Riders to rue what might have been.

The match's major flashpoint occurred earlier when LSG's Finn Allen was caught at deep third man. Replays suggested the fielder's foot may have grazed the boundary rope, but the on-field umpires opted not to send the decision upstairs for a review—a call that left Powell and his teammates frustrated.

"We've seen umpires go upstairs for much less in the IPL," Powell stated in the post-match press conference. "More angles should have been looked at. Maybe it was a blunder on their part, but we're not going to say that alone cost us the game."

Beyond the controversial moment, Powell also highlighted the challenging conditions at the iconic Kolkata ground, noting it wasn't the typical batting paradise. "This wasn't a classic 220-run Eden Gardens wicket," he explained. "There was something in it for the bowlers, especially with the slower balls, making it tough to just go out and blast from ball one."

Despite the disappointment, Powell gave full credit to the match-winner, Mukul Choudhary, for his composure under extreme pressure. The loss leaves KKR with just one point from their first four matches, a concerning start to their campaign.

However, Powell struck an optimistic note for the fans, drawing on tournament history. "Winners often build their momentum in the middle and back end of the season," he said. "Our destiny is still in our own hands. We just need to stick together and find our rhythm."