Cricket Highlights, April 08: IPL 2025 (21st Match) – LSG vs KKR

LSG vs KKR (21st Match) – Highlights

In what turned out to be one of the most exhilarating contests of the IPL 2025 season so far, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) held their nerve to beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by just 4 runs at the Eden Gardens on April 8. A run-fest that saw a combined 472 runs scored turned into a nail-biting finish, with LSG emerging victorious thanks to a blazing unbeaten knock from Nicholas Pooran and some timely breakthroughs with the ball.

As LSG elected to bat, it has posted an awesome 20-over score of 238. Their innings was driven by clinical batting from the top two batsmen. Aiden Markram provided early momentum with a 28-ball 47, peppering the field with crisp boundaries. But it was the partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran that truly lit up the night. Marsh continued his solid form, hammering 81 off 48 deliveries, including 6 fours and 5 sixes.

Nicholas Pooran, stole the show, smashing an unbeaten 87 off just 36 balls. His innings included 7 fours and 8 towering sixes, taking LSG well past the 230 mark. Harshit Rana was the only KKR bowler to taste some success, finishing with figures of 2 for 51. The rest of the attack was taken to the cleaners, especially Spencer Johnson and Andre Russell, who conceded 46 and 32 runs respectively in their short spells.

Chasing a daunting 239, KKR came agonizingly close to pulling off one of the greatest chases in IPL history. The innings got off to a fiery start thanks to Sunil Narine’s blistering 13-ball 30. Although Quinton de Kock fell early, skipper Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with a superb 61 off 35 balls, anchoring the chase while keeping the required run rate within reach.

Venkatesh Iyer provided valuable support with a quickfire 45, but KKR lost a cluster of wickets in the middle overs which derailed the momentum slightly. Rinku Singh brought them back into the game with a jaw-dropping 38 off 15 balls, keeping the Eden Gardens crowd on its feet until the final over. However, despite fresh flares from Rinku and his fellow tail-ender Harshit Rana’s 10* off 9, KKR fell just short, finished 234/7.

LSG’s bowlers were under immense pressure throughout but managed to pick up wickets at crucial intervals. Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur claimed two wickets each, while Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, and debutant Digvesh Rathi chipped in with one apiece. The collective effort ensured that LSG defended their total successfully, albeit by the thinnest of margins.

Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders Scoreboard

Lucknow Super Giants – 238/3 (20)

Kolkata Knight Riders – 234/7 (20)

Result – LSG won by 4 runs

Player of the Match – Nicholas Pooran

LSG vs KKR Playing XI

Lucknow Super Giants

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

Kolkata Knight Riders

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

Disclaimer: This match highlight is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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