In a thrilling IPL 2025 clash at Eden Gardens, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) held their nerve to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by just four runs in a run-fest that saw a stunning 472 runs scored. Batting first LSG rode on explosive knocks from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran to post a massive 238/3. Despite a fiery response from KKR a dramatic middle-order collapse disrupted their chase handing LSG their third win of the season.
After being asked to bat first LSG got off to a strong start with Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram putting on a 99 run opening stand against KKR in IPL 2025. Markram provided early momentum racing to 36 off 19 balls while Marsh played cautiously before shifting gears. Marsh struck two sixes in the Power Play and later took on Sunil Narine with back-to-back boundaries.
Markram fell for 49 to a clever off cutter from Harshit Rana but that only opened the gates for Nicholas Pooran’s fireworks. Pooran joined Marsh to form a destructive left right combo and quickly changed the rhythm. The duo added 71 runs in just five overs punishing every bowler who erred especially targeting the shorter boundary side.
Pooran was in brutal form reaching his fifty in just 21 balls. After Marsh departed for a well-made 81 off 48, Pooran continued the assault finishing unbeaten on 87 off just 36 balls. His innings included 8 sixes and 7 fours as LSG powered to 238/3 a total that looked nearly un-chase able.
Chasing 239 KKR came out with intent. They smashed 90 runs in the Power Play their second-best ever in IPL history. Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine led the charge taking advantage of loose bowling from Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur. Narine hit 30 off 13 before falling to Digvesh Rathi while Rahane raced to a half century in just 26 balls.
Venkatesh Iyer joined Rahane and the pair kept KKR ahead of the asking rate with a 71 run stand. At the halfway mark KKR were 129/2 needing 110 more off the last 10 overs. However things took a sharp turn from there.
Just when KKR looked in control LSG bowlers turned the game around in IPL 2025. Rathi and Ravi Bishnoi bowled tight spells during the middle overs slowing down the run rate. Rahane who had kept the chase alive with a solid 61 off 35 fell to a full toss from Thakur in the 13th over.
After that wickets tumbled quickly. Ramandeep Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi fell in successive overs while Russell was out to another deceptive full toss. In just 20 balls KKR lost 5 wickets for only 23 runs.
Rathi returned to bowl a brilliant 18th over conceding just 7 runs and tightening the screws further. This left KKR needing 38 off the last 12 balls.
Rinku Singh known for his finishing skills tried his best with a late flourish. He smashed an unbeaten 38 off 15 balls but the target proved too steep. KKR eventually finished on 234/8 falling short by just four runs.
Despite the narrow defeat KKR’s aggressive approach kept them in the game for most of the chase. However the lack of control in the middle overs and some poor shot selection cost them dearly.
Nicholas Pooran was named Player of the Match for his explosive knock in match #21 LSG vs KKR of IPL 2025 .
