Picture : IPL / X
Lucknow Super Giants desperate for a win pulled off sensational 4 run win over defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders in thrilling Tata IPL 2025 encounter on a hot day in Eden Gardens Kolkata.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl first. LSG began cautiously then exploded with their dynamic opening duo of Aiden Markram and Big Aussie Mitchell Marsh . The du o put on 99 in 10. 1 overs for the first wicket when Markram fell for a well made 47 ( 28 balls , 4 fours , 2 sixes) .
His fellow opener in scintillating form the Big Aussie Mitchell Marsh raced to his fourth fifty in five matches as he smashed with brute force to score a blistering 81 before he was out ( 48 balls , 6 fours 5 sixes). Marsh was in his elements with his range of shots and exhibited his shots through his power forearms.
Muscular Knock 💪
Marsh blazes his way to fantastic 81(48) 🔥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 8, 2025
After Marsh dismissal, Nicholas Pooran took on the onslaught and smashed the KKR bowlers all- around and showed no mercy. His sixes were stunning and hit with timing and power . Pooran remained unbeaten on a stunning innings of 87 ( 36 balls , 7 fours, 8 sixes). David Miller was not out 4 . Abdul Samad missed out the run feast out for 6 . LSG courtesy MItchell Marsh, Markram Pooran blitz reached an imposing 238/ 3 in their 20 overs.
KKR bowling : Vaibhav Arora 0/ 35 ( 4 overs) , Spencer Johnson 0/ 36 ( 3 overs) , Varun Chakaravarthy 0/ 31 ( 4 overs) , Harshit Rana 2/ 51 ( 4 overs) , Sunil Narine 0/ 38 ( 3 overs) , Andre Russell 1/ 32 ( 2 overs)
In reply to the gigantic score, KKR began well with aggression. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine began the chase . Quinton de Kock was first to go out for 15 at 37/ 1 in 2. 3 overs. Sunil Narine kept the chase on course with his quick 30 ( 13 balls , 4 fours, 2 sixes) . KKR would have liked him to stay on further. But it was not to be.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane joined the chase and was striking the ball well and it looked he would anchor the team home . Despite the big total . But unfortunately Rahane fell while trying to raise the tempo but not before scoring a fine 61 ( 35 balls, 8 fours 2 sixes).
Giving Rahane support was deputy Venkatesh Iyer who hit a timely 45 ( 29 balls , 6 fours, 1 six). Iyer got out at the wrong time and created panic in the KKR dug-out . But with just 83 needed from the final 7 overs, things changed dramatically .
Shardul Thakur put LSG back into the contest when the match was slipping away as he bagged the two key wickets of Rahane and Iyer . When it appeared KKR could pull it off . It in a mad rush rush lost 5 wickets for just 23 runs . Chase was in tatters .
Ramandeep Singh ( 1), Angkrish Raghuvanshi ( 5) big hitting Andre Russell disappointed again ( 7). Rinku Singh not out 38 ( 16 balls , 6 fours , 2 sixes) , Harshit Rana not out 10 ( 9 balls , 2 fours) could not take KKR over the line. They fell agonisingly close finishing at 234/ 7 in their 20 overs. LSG winning by barest of margins just 4 runs. It was edge of the seat thriller.
LSG bowling :
Match: IPL 2025, 21st Match
Venue: Kolkata | Date: April 08, 2025
