Introduction
The 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 saw a thrilling encounter between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 8, 2025. In a high-scoring affair, Lucknow Super Giants emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 4 runs.
Match Summary
- Lucknow Super Giants: 238/3 in 20 overs
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 234/7 in 20 overs
Lucknow Super Giants Innings:
LSG, after being put in to bat by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, got off to a solid start. The opening pair of Aiden Markram (47 off 28 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (81 off 48 balls) laid a strong foundation with a 99-run partnership. Marsh continued his excellent form this season, notching up another half-century.
The innings was then propelled to a formidable total by a blistering knock from Nicholas Pooran, who remained unbeaten on 87 off just 36 deliveries. His innings was studded with 7 fours and a staggering 8 sixes, as he took the KKR bowlers to task. Towards the end, Abdul Samad (6 off 4 balls) and David Miller (4 not out off 4 balls) provided the finishing touches to take LSG to a commanding total of 238/3.
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings:
Chasing a daunting target, KKR started aggressively. Quinton de Kock (15 off 9 balls) and Sunil Narine (30 off 13 balls) provided a quickfire start, putting up 37 runs in just 2.3 overs. Narine continued his aggressive batting form, hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes in his brief innings.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with a well-compiled 61 off 35 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes. He formed a crucial 54-run partnership with Venkatesh Iyer (45 off 29 balls), who also batted aggressively with 5 fours and 1 six.
However, after Rahane’s dismissal in the 13th over, KKR experienced a mini-collapse in the middle order. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (5 off 4 balls) and Ramandeep Singh (1 off 2 balls) fell cheaply, putting pressure on the remaining batsmen.
Andre Russell (19 off 11 balls) tried to inject momentum with 2 sixes, but he too was dismissed in the 17th over. The onus then fell on Rinku Singh, who played a sensational late cameo of 38 runs off just 15 balls, hitting 4 fours and 3 sixes. He, along with Harshit Rana (10 not out off 9 balls), brought KKR agonizingly close to the target.
Needing 24 runs in the final over bowled by Ravi Bishnoi, Rinku managed to hit a four off the first ball and a six off the last ball, but it wasn’t enough as LSG held their nerve to secure a 4-run victory.
Key Performances:
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG): Player of the Match for his explosive 87 not out.
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG): Scored a crucial 81 at the top of the order.
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR): Led from the front with a well-made 61.
- Rinku Singh (KKR): Played a brilliant late cameo, almost snatching victory.
- Harshit Rana (KKR): Bowled well, taking 2 wickets for 51 runs.
- Digvesh Singh Rathi (LSG): Picked up 1 crucial wicket for 27 runs in his 3 overs.
Turning Points:
- The strong opening partnership between Markram and Marsh set the platform for LSG’s high total.
- Nicholas Pooran’s explosive hitting in the latter half of the LSG innings proved to be the difference.
- The mini-collapse in the middle order of KKR after Rahane’s dismissal stalled their momentum.
- Rinku Singh’s late onslaught brought KKR close, but LSG’s disciplined bowling in the final over secured the win.
- KKR can win the game easily but they could not capitalize on it. LSG has thrown 19 wides, meaning 3 more overs they have bowled and 19 additional runs they have given to KKR. It’s complete failure of KKR as they cannot win it.
Match Analysis:
- Batting Dominance: The pitch at Eden Gardens proved to be excellent for batting, with both teams scoring over 230 runs.
- LSG’s Power-Hitting: LSG’s batsmen, especially Pooran and Marsh, displayed exceptional power-hitting.
- KKR’s Fight: Despite the loss, KKR showed great fighting spirit, especially Rahane and Rinku.
- Bowling Under Pressure: LSG’s bowlers held their nerve in the crucial final overs despite the onslaught from Rinku Singh.
- Head-to-Head: LSG continues to have a slight edge over KKR in their head-to-head encounters in the IPL.
- LSG has to work in their bowling department.
Impact on the Points Table:
This win was crucial for Lucknow Super Giants as it helped them climb up the points table. For Kolkata Knight Riders, this loss, despite a valiant chase, will be a setback in their campaign.
Conclusion
The 21st match of IPL 2025 was a thrilling run-fest that went down to the wire. Lucknow Super Giants’ formidable total, powered by Pooran’s brilliance, ultimately proved to be just enough to overcome a spirited chase from the Kolkata Knight Riders, highlighted by impressive innings from Rahane and a stunning late charge from Rinku Singh. This match will be remembered for its high-scoring drama and the nail-biting finish.
🎬 पूरा मैच का एनालिसिस, Highlights और Turning Points देखने के लिए अभी क्लिक करें: