UP T20 League: Choudhary's last-over blitz seals Kings' 3-wicket win vs Lions
Synopsis
Needing 18 off the final over with a wicket falling on the first ball, Anivesh Choudhary smashed two sixes and a boundary to pull off an almost-impossible chase for Noida Kings against Gaur Gorakhpur Lions. It is the kind of finish that defines knockout cricket — and it came in a league match.
Key Takeaways
Noida Kings beat Gaur Gorakhpur Lions by three wickets in the UP T20 League at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow on 20 August .
Anivesh Choudhary finished unbeaten on 34 off 15 balls , hitting two sixes and a boundary in the final over to seal victory with a ball to spare.
Abhay Pratap Singh top-scored for Lions with 70 off 41 balls ; Siddharth Yadav added 51 off 28 .
Bobby Yadav claimed 4 for 48 for Noida Kings to restrict the Lions to 185/9 .
Vasu Vats took 3 for 38 and reduced Kings to 46/3 inside the powerplay before the middle order steadied the chase.
The match was inaugurated by Dr.
Raj Shekhar (IAS) in the presence of Dr.
Sanjay Kapoor and former India cricketer Manvinder Bisla .
Anivesh Choudhary delivered a stunning last-over finish as Noida Kings chased down 186 to beat Gaur Gorakhpur Lions by three wickets in a high-voltage UP T20 League encounter at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on 20 August. Choudhary's unbeaten 34 off 15 balls — featuring two consecutive sixes and a boundary off the penultimate delivery — settled a match that looked beyond the Kings with 18 runs still needed off the final over.
Lions Set a Stiff Target
Opting to bat first, Gaur Gorakhpur Lions posted a formidable 185/9 in their 20 overs. Openers Abhay Pratap Singh and skipper Aryan Juyal provided the platform with a 72-run partnership, giving the Lions the foundation for a big total. Abhay Pratap Singh top-scored with a measured 70 off 41 balls, while Siddharth Yadav added late firepower with a rapid 51 off 28 deliveries.
For Noida Kings, Bobby Yadav was the standout bowler, returning figures of 4 for 48 to apply the brakes in the final overs and keep the chase within reach.
Kings Wobble Before Choudhary Takes Over
The chase began disastrously for Noida Kings, who slumped to 46/3 inside the powerplay as Vasu Vats (3 for 38) ripped through the top order. Aditya Sharma (39) and Ravi Singh (49 off 28 balls) steadied the innings with a crucial 70-run fourth-wicket stand, bringing the target back into sight.
However, a middle-order collapse left Noida requiring 23 runs off the final two overs. Abdul Rehman conceded just five runs in the 19th over, tightening the screws further. A run-out off the first ball of the last over reduced Kings to near-impossible territory — but Choudhary had other ideas.
Choudhary's Match-Winning Finish
Needing 18 off 5 balls, Choudhary launched two consecutive sixes, followed by two runs and a boundary off the penultimate delivery to seal victory with a ball to spare. The knock underlined his composure under extreme pressure and gave Noida Kings a memorable win that will be talked about throughout the tournament.
Ceremony and Context
The match was formally inaugurated by Dr. Raj Shekhar (IAS), Managing Director of UP Jal Nigam (Rural), who performed the traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony. UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, member Sanjeev Kumar Singh, and former India cricketer Manvinder Bisla were also present at the occasion. The result keeps the UP T20 League firmly in the spotlight as one of the most competitive state-level T20 competitions in the country.
Point of View
And Choudhary's ability to stay calm when a run-out reduced Kings to near-impossible odds is precisely what separates match-winners from fillers in franchise T20 cricket. The UP T20 League has quietly become a pressure cooker for domestic talent — and moments like this, rather than big-name signings, are what give the competition credibility. Bobby Yadav's four-wicket haul deserves equal attention: without it, the Lions could have posted 200-plus, making the chase academic. The real story here is the depth of UP's domestic pool.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the UP T20 League match between Noida Kings and Gaur Gorakhpur Lions?
Noida Kings won by three wickets, chasing down 186 at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on 20 August. Anivesh Choudhary's unbeaten 34 off 15 balls in the final over sealed the victory with a ball to spare.
What did Anivesh Choudhary do in the last over?
Choudhary hit two consecutive sixes, took two runs, and struck a boundary off the penultimate ball to score the 18 runs Noida Kings needed off the final over. He finished unbeaten on 34 off just 15 balls.
How did Gaur Gorakhpur Lions set their total?
Lions posted 185/9 in 20 overs, built on a 72-run opening stand between Abhay Pratap Singh and skipper Aryan Juyal. Abhay top-scored with 70 off 41 balls, while Siddharth Yadav contributed a rapid 51 off 28 deliveries.
Who were the top performers for Noida Kings?
Bobby Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 48, while Ravi Singh (49 off 28 balls) and Aditya Sharma (39) steadied the chase after an early collapse. Choudhary then finished the job in the final over.
Where was the UP T20 League match played?
The match was played at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 20 August. The venue hosted the Bell Ringing Ceremony inaugurated by Dr. Raj Shekhar (IAS), with UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor and former India cricketer Manvinder Bisla in attendance.
