IPL2025 : LSG edge past KKR in a high scoring thriller , Pooran , Marsh smashes 80s

 

In yet another thrilling IPL 2025 encounter, Lucknow Super Giants edged out Kolkata Knight Riders by 4 runs in a nail-biting finish. The match, held at Eden Gardens, witnessed a run-fest with over 450 runs scored in total. Riding on explosive innings from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh, Lucknow posted a massive total of 238 after opting to bat first. In response, Kolkata seemed well on course for victory at 166 runs in just 14 overs, but a dramatic collapse in the final overs saw them fall short, finishing at 234 in their 20 overs.

In recent days, fans had been complaining about one-sided IPL games. However, two back-to-back high-scoring and closely contested matches have brought the excitement back. On Monday, April 7, a cracking match was played between Bengaluru and Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, and the following day, April 8, Eden Gardens hosted another thriller that went down to the last ball — one that Kolkata narrowly lost after being in a winning position.

Pooran and Marsh Punish Kolkata

Batting first, Lucknow got off to another explosive start, courtesy of openers Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, who put up a blistering 99-run stand in just 10.2 overs. Markram missed out on a half-century once again, getting dismissed for 47, while Marsh continued his superb form with his fourth fifty of the season. Nicholas Pooran, who had a quiet outing in the previous match, came out all guns blazing and smashed a half-century in just 21 balls. Marsh was eventually dismissed for a well-made 81 off 48 balls, narrowly missing a century, while Pooran remained unbeaten, scoring a fiery 87 off just 36 deliveries. Lucknow ended with an imposing 238 for 3.

Kolkata got off to a fast start as well, but lost Quinton de Kock (15) in the third over. However, Sunil Narine and Ajinkya Rahane maintained the scoring momentum, taking the team to 90 runs by the end of the powerplay. Narine was dismissed in the seventh over by spinner Digvijay Rathi , who once again proved to be Lucknow’s most effective bowler, tightening the screws on KKR. Rahane (61) and Venkatesh Iyer (45) stitched together a 71-run partnership that took Kolkata closer to the target. At 162/2 in the 13th over, KKR appeared to be cruising.

However, the tide turned dramatically as Kolkata lost three wickets on the last balls of the 13th, 14th, and 15th overs. One wicket each fell in the 16th and 17th overs as well. In total, Kolkata lost 5 wickets in just 20 balls, allowing Lucknow to claw their way back into the match. Shardul Thakur delivered the killer blow by dismissing Andre Russell (7) in the 17th over, effectively crushing Kolkata’s hopes. Rinku Singh launched a few big hits in the death overs in an attempt to snatch victory, but his efforts weren’t enough as KKR fell short by 4 runs.