Lucknow Super Giants narrowly defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling high-scoring encounter at Eden Gardens, securing their third victory of IPL 2025 by a margin of four runs. The match, which saw a total of 472 runs scored, required both strength and accuracy on a ground featuring a 57-metre boundary on one side. Mitchell Marsh contributed significantly with 81 runs off 48 balls, while Nicholas Pooran delivered an impressive 87 runs off just 36 balls, propelling LSG to a formidable total of 238/3. KKR began their response with determination, spearheaded by Ajinkya Rahane’s explosive 61. However, a collapse in the later stages of their innings hindered their pursuit, leaving the defending champions heartbreakingly short, despite a late surge from Rinku Singh.
Nicholas Pooran - The Orange Cap holder
Mitchell Marsh struck two sixes during the PowerPlay after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were invited to bat first, but it was Aiden Markram who set the pace with a rapid 36 runs off 19 balls. The pair approached their innings cautiously against Vaibhav Arora, who was able to generate early swing, while they targeted the other end. Spencer Johnson, making his return to the playing XI, conceded 30 runs in his first two overs, and Harshit Rana allowed 16 runs in the sixth over, enabling LSG to finish the PowerPlay on a high note.
Following the PowerPlay, Marsh accelerated, hitting Narine for two fours and a six. Varun Chakaravarthy provided some control with two economical overs, and the pressure eventually resulted in Rana dismissing Markram for 49 with a well-executed off-cutter, breaking their 99-run opening partnership. However, this breakthrough only led to further mayhem. Pooran entered the fray, creating a left-right batting combination with Marsh that made it exceedingly difficult to defend the shorter boundary. The two added 71 runs in just five overs, propelling LSG to 170/1 by the 15th over and establishing a strong foundation for a total exceeding 200.
LSG’s impressive total of 238 was driven by a fierce onslaught from what many consider the best T20 batsman in the world at present. Pooran disregarded the dimensions of the boundary, clearing his front leg and launching balls over both sides of Eden Gardens. After Marsh was dismissed for 81, Pooran raced to a 21-ball fifty and concluded his innings unbeaten on 87 off 36 deliveries, thrilling the crowd with eight sixes and seven fours.
KKR loses at the finish line
KKR started the match with remarkable intensity, scoring 90 runs during the PowerPlay, marking the second-highest total in IPL 2025 and their second-best performance in the tournament’s history. The opening over by Akash Deep, which cost 16 runs and included five wides, set a challenging tone for the bowling side. Rishabh Pant supported the Bengal bowler for three overs, but Deep ultimately conceded 43 runs, while Shardul Thakur allowed 30 runs in just two overs. Despite the early loss of Quinton de Kock due to a sharp review, both Rahane (35 runs off 15 balls) and Narine (30 runs off 12 balls) launched an aggressive boundary assault, maintaining a high level of excitement in the chase.
Following the PowerPlay, KKR lost Narine (30 runs off 13 balls) to Digvesh Rathi, yet captain Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer formed a crucial partnership, adding 71 runs to keep the chase alive. Nevertheless, LSG managed to slow down the scoring, particularly between overs 7 and 10, where only 39 runs were scored. The spinners Rathi and Bishnoi bowled effectively together, successfully defending the shorter boundary. Rahane reached his half-century in just 26 balls, with the target reduced to 90 runs off 48 balls, a chase that seemed achievable on this pitch. However, just as KKR appeared poised to accelerate, their momentum faltered. Pant required treatment for a suspected back issue, and Shardul Thakur began the 13th over with five wides before dismissing Rahane (61 runs off 35 balls) with a full toss.
The following over saw another interruption as umpires reviewed a wide and a stumping decision, resulting in Ramandeep Singh’s dismissal at the hands of Bishnoi. With only 11 runs scored in overs 14 and 15 and Avesh Khan taking out Angkrish Raghuvanshi, KKR found themselves needing 66 runs from the last five overs. What initially seemed like a smooth chase for KKR quickly fell apart. Thakur dismissed Andre Russell with another clever full toss, contributing to a dramatic collapse where KKR lost five wickets for just 23 runs in a span of 20 balls. The pressure intensified as the impressive Digvesh Rathi delivered a remarkable 18th over, conceding only seven runs. This left Rinku Singh with the daunting task of scoring 38 runs from 2 overs. But the task was a touch too steep, and KKR fell agonisingly short by four runs.
SCORECARD: Lucknow Super Giants 238/3 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 87*, Mitchell Marsh 81; Harshit Rana 2-51) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 234/7 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 61, Venkatesh Iyer 45; Digvesh Rathi 1-33) by 4 runs.
