When a match lights up Eden Gardens with nearly 480 runs in 40 overs, you know the IPL has delivered another gem. But what happened between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wasn’t just another match—it was a cricketing rollercoaster that swayed till the final ball, only to end in heartbreak for the hosts.
In the cauldron of Kolkata’s cricketing cathedral, Lucknow Super Giants held their nerve to edge out the Knight Riders by a slender margin of 4 runs, defending a mammoth 238-run target with just enough grit to overcome a late Kolkata surge.
LSG’s Batting Blitzkrieg: Marsh & Pooran Unleash Mayhem
Sent in to bat, LSG went full throttle from the get-go. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram set the tone, shredding the KKR bowling lineup with brute force and crisp timing. Marsh, fluent and calculated, compiled a brilliant 81 off 48 balls, while Markram’s 47 off 28 ensured no breathing space for the opposition.
But it was Nicholas Pooran who set Eden ablaze with an unbeaten 87 off just 36 deliveries—a knock laced with audacity and sheer muscle. His power-hitting in the death overs left KKR bowlers scrambling for answers as LSG marched to an imposing 238/3.
KKR’s Chase: Fire, Fight, and a Falter at the Finish
In response, Kolkata came out with intent. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane, often understated, batted with elegance and aggression in equal measure. His 61 off 35 balls, decorated with 8 fours and 2 sixes, provided a solid platform. With Venkatesh Iyer (45) and Rinku Singh (38 off 15) joining the charge, it looked like the hosts were inching toward a famous win.
But just when victory felt within reach, the innings unravelled. KKR crumbled under pressure, slipping from 149/2 in 12 overs to 234/7 at the end of 20. The death overs turned cruel, and a promising chase dissolved into a tragic near-miss.
Takeaways: LSG’s Composure Triumphs Over KKR’s Firepower
What made the difference? LSG’s calm under pressure and the impact of Pooran’s explosive innings. While KKR had the arsenal, they lacked the execution in the final overs—something LSG capitalized on with smart bowling and field placement.
With this win, Lucknow keeps their winning momentum alive in IPL 2025, while KKR is left to revisit their finishing strategies.
Cricket, as always, delivered a lesson in uncertainty—and this time, it was Lucknow who smiled last.
