IPL 2025: Marsh and Pooran Shine as LSG Triumph over KKR by Four Runs
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Synopsis
An exciting match in IPL 2025 saw LSG edge past KKR by four runs, led by stunning performances from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh. With a high-scoring game and dramatic moments, LSG's victory showcased the thrilling nature of T20 cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran were instrumental in LSG's high score.
- KKR's chase came close but fell short in a thrilling finish.
- Pooran's aggressive batting style showcased his talent as a finisher.
- LSG's bowlers made crucial breakthroughs during the middle overs.
- The match highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket.
Kolkata, April 8 (NationPress) A spectacular night filled with sixes, drama, and intense momentum shifts concluded with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) maintaining their composure to secure a thrilling four-run victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in one of the most captivating encounters of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 thus far, at Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
With explosive performances from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, LSG amassed a staggering 238/3 — marking their second-highest score in IPL history — only for KKR to come agonizingly close to a record chase before finishing at 234/7.
Opting to bat first on a batting paradise, LSG's openers Marsh (81) and Aiden Markram (47) got their team off to a phenomenal start. Marsh, exhibiting flashes of his vintage brilliance, unleashed an array of clean and powerful strokes, while Markram supported him with intelligent placement and timing.
Their 99-run opening partnership in just 10.2 overs set the tone, with Marsh powering to 81 off 48 balls, including seven fours and five sixes. Once Markram was dismissed by Harshit Rana, Nicholas Pooran took center stage.
Pooran, now regarded as one of the most dangerous finishers in T20 cricket, was simply unstoppable. He reached his half-century in a mere 21 balls and concluded with an unbeaten 87 off 36, featuring eight colossal sixes and five fours. He dominated the KKR attack, particularly targeting Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, as LSG surged beyond 230 to set an intimidating target of 238/3.
In reply, KKR came out swinging. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine scored 31 in the first two overs, capitalizing on Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur. Although Akash managed to trap de Kock LBW with a clever change of pace, it did little to hinder KKR’s momentum.
Ajinkya Rahane, demonstrating that his reinvention in T20 cricket was no fluke, batted with flair and urgency. Alongside Narine, he propelled KKR to 90/1 in the Powerplay — their best this season. The Eden Gardens crowd buzzed as Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer developed a solid partnership, challenging Ravi Bishnoi and Digvesh Rathi during the middle overs.
Rathi, who faced a fine earlier in the season for his extravagant celebrations, made a significant impact by dismissing his idol Narine for 30 and celebrated in his iconic style — scribbling on the ground.
Rahane brought up his half-century in just 26 balls, but LSG remarkably pulled things back between overs 13 and 16, claiming four crucial wickets in just 16 deliveries. Thakur dismissed Rahane on 61 with a clever wide full toss after conceding five consecutive wides, Bishnoi caught Ramandeep Singh slogging, Avesh Khan cleaned up Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Akash Deep returned to remove the dangerous Venkatesh Iyer for 45.
With 61 runs needed off the last five overs, KKR still held hope as Andre Russell and Rinku Singh took charge. However, Thakur struck again, dismissing Russell, and a disciplined penultimate over from Avesh left Rinku with too much to accomplish in the final six balls.
Facing 23 runs in the last over, Rinku almost achieved the impossible. He hit two fours and a six in the last three deliveries but couldn't avert the inevitable, finishing unbeaten on 38 off 15.
Brief scores:
Lucknow Super Giants 238/3 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 87 not out, Mitchell Marsh 81; Harshit Rana 2-51, Andre Russell 1-32) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders 234/7 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 61, Venkatesh Iyer 45; Shardul Thakur 2-52, Akash Deep 2-55) by four runs.
