IPL 2026 Highlights: Rahane and Raghuvanshi Propel KKR to 181/4 Against LSG
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, April 9 (NationPress) In Match 15 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) achieved a commendable score of 181/4 in their 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The innings was propelled by Captain Ajinkya Rahane and promising young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi, with Rovman Powell adding a strong finish.
Opting to bat first, KKR started cautiously, with Mohammed Shami keeping the score to a minimum in the opening over, allowing only six runs. KKR faced an early challenge when Finn Allen was dismissed for 9 runs off 8 balls, caught at third man by Digvesh Rathi from the bowling of Prince Yadav.
After this early loss, Rahane and Raghuvanshi worked to stabilize the innings. They began slowly but accelerated towards the end of the Power-play, amassing 16 runs in the final over to reach 52/1 after six overs.
The partnership continued to flourish, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. While they played cautiously against Rathi, they found scoring opportunities against other bowlers, guiding KKR to a solid 98/1 at the midway point. Their 84-run partnership was finally broken in the 11th over when Rathi dismissed Rahane, who scored a brisk 41 runs off 24 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.
Shortly after, Manimaran Siddharth claimed Raghuvanshi, who contributed 45 runs off 33 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, just shy of a fifty. KKR then experienced a lull, struggling to find boundaries while Rinku Singh fell cheaply to Avesh Khan in the 14th over.
Though Cameron Green took time to adjust, the spinners from Lucknow kept the runs in check. The scoring drought ended in the 16th over when Powell launched a six and a four off Siddharth.
Powell picked up momentum in the closing overs, finishing with an unbeaten 39 runs from 24 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. Green also found his rhythm late in the innings, remaining not out on 32 runs off 24 balls, ensuring KKR surpassed the 180-mark to conclude at 181/4.
For LSG, each of Prince Yadav, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, and Manimaran Siddharth managed to take one wicket each.
Summary of scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders: 181/4 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 45, Ajinkya Rahane 41, Rovman Powell 39; Digvesh Rathi 1-25, Manimaran Siddharth 1-34) against Lucknow Super Giants.