Match Report: Pooran’s Power Show! LSG Edge Out KKR in Run-Fest Thriller

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Match 21 of the IPL 2025 turned out to be an absolute run-fest at the iconic Eden Gardens, where batters from both sides turned up the heat and bowlers had little room to breathe. In a game that went down to the wire, it was a night where boundaries rained, nerves were tested, and Lucknow Super Giants edged out Kolkata Knight Riders by a thrilling 4-run margin. The electrifying atmosphere in Kolkata saw some sensational hitting, especially from Nicholas Pooran, whose whirlwind 87* off 36 balls became the defining knock of the evening.

Toss

KKR won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to chase under lights on a flat track. However, the move backfired as LSG's top order unleashed a flurry of boundaries right from the start.

Playing XI

LSG:

Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Ravi Bishnoi (IP), Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Digvesh Singh, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Mitchell Marsh.

KKR:

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Quinton De Kock (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (IP).

First Innings Overview: Pooran, Marsh Power LSG to 238/3

Batting first, Lucknow Super Giants posted a mammoth 238/3 in 20 overs. The charge was led by the explosive Nicholas Pooran, who smashed 87 off 36 balls*, supported brilliantly by Mitchell Marsh (81 off 48) and Aiden Markram (47 off 28). The trio combined to dismantle KKR’s bowling attack with a flurry of sixes and fours, despite some resistance from Harshit Rana (2/51) and Andre Russell (1/32).

Second Innings Overview: Rahane’s Grace & Rinku’s Late Surge Fall Just Short

KKR responded fiercely, scoring 234/7 in their 20 overs. Ajinkya Rahane played a classy knock of 61 off 35, while Venkatesh Iyer (45 off 29) and Rinku Singh (38* off 15) kept the chase alive. But the pressure of the asking rate and disciplined final overs from LSG bowlers—especially Akash Deep (2/55) and Digvesh Singh (1/33)—helped seal a nail-biting finish.

Player of the Match

Nicholas Pooran (LSG): 87* (36)

Result

Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 4 runs in a run-fest at Eden Gardens.

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