Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Match-21 Results

Right then, that is it from this absolute run fest where Lucknow Super Giants just got the better of Kolkata Knight Riders by a small margin of 4 runs. But you don't go anywhere, as it is a doubleheader today in the IPL, and the second game is already underway, which is the battle of the Kings as Punjab Kings take on the Chennai Super Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. You can just switch tabs to enjoy all the coverage of the match. Cheers!

Nicholas Pooran is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his smashing knock of 87 off just 36 balls. He says that he practices a lot for his six-hitting, and at the moment, it is coming off nicely in the games as well. Adds that the bowlers are now trying different things to stop the batters, so he tries to stay ahead of them to take advantage. Says that Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh have been great for us this season, and that is one of the reasons they have scored so many runs. Mentions that he tries to take down his match-ups, and when the opportunity arises, he wants to do well all the time.

The victorious skipper of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant, says that they didn’t realise the game would get this close when they batted in the first inning, but in the second inning, as the batters of KKR were batting, they knew that it would go close for sure. Adds that there were a lot of turning points in the game as after the first strategic break, they told the bowlers to stick to their game plan and not try to overdo things. Mentions that to try to get the game to slow down was obviously a conscious decision from them, and they know that the batters get groove and a rhythm, which they wanted to break, and he is happy that their plans worked today. States that their plan was to have a left-hand and right-hand batter at the crease as KKR spinners were bowling well. Says that his back is better now.

The captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says that this match was a really tight one, and as he said earlier, this wicket looks good to bat on, and they fought well as they fell short of just 4 runs in the end, but overall, it was a great game. Adds that when you are chasing 230 plus, you are bound to lose wickets in the middle as the intent was always there to just go for the boundaries. States that everyone batted really well and it was really tough for the bowlers to contain here. Tells that the boundary was very short at one end of the square, and there is no complaint about the bowling attack, and Varun also bowled really well despite every bowler getting hit for the boundaries.

Presentation Time...

Aiden Markram is up for a quick chat. He says that they have got a few freaks in the team and that the knock from Nicholas Pooran helped them get over the line. Adds that they gave their best in the Powerplay, but sometimes the shots work sometimes they do not. Says that with Mitchell Marsh, they are finding a nice groove together, and they have now got two crucial wins against quality sides and hope to continue like this.

Lucknow Super Giants will be relieved after sneaking home with a 4-run win despite posting a massive 238. On a flat pitch with short boundaries, their bowlers had little margin for error and came under pressure early. But credit to them for sticking to their plans - Digvesh Singh was impressive again with a key, economical spell, Shardul Thakur and Akash Deep picked up two wickets each at crucial moments, and Ravi Bishnoi held his nerve in a tense final over to get the job done.

Earlier in the day, LSG piled on a massive total, powered by blistering knocks from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, both hammering their way into the 80s. Aiden Markram also chipped in with a handy cameo at the top, setting the tone early. KKR's bowlers had a tough time containing the flow of runs, with only Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy managing to keep things somewhat tight. Harshit Rana picked up a couple of wickets, while Andre Russell chipped in with one, but overall, it was a tough outing for the bowling unit.

KKR came out all guns blazing, racking up 90 runs in the Powerplay for the loss of just one wicket. They kept pace with the required rate, thanks to classy and explosive hitting from Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine. After Narine’s departure, Venkatesh Iyer took over the charge, maintaining the tempo alongside the skipper, who brought up a well-crafted half-century. But the game took a sharp turn after Rahane’s dismissal. From a strong position at 162/2, KKR slumped to 185/7, losing their grip on the chase. Rinku Singh tried to revive hopes with a few powerful strikes, but the task proved just a bit too much in the end.

What a contest! LSG edge out KKR in a thriller at the Eden Gardens! This match had it all - drama, momentum shifts, and some high-quality cricket from both sides. Full credit to the players for putting on a show and to the fans who got every bit of their money’s worth. The game swung like a pendulum, but when the dust settled, it was Lucknow who held their nerve to walk away with two vital points. A valiant effort from the hosts, but they fell agonizingly short by just 4 runs.

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, Six!SIX! KKR FALL SHORT OF JUST ONE HIT! Bishnoi offers it again in the slot, around middle, and Rinku Singh goes on his knee again and slogs it across over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. LSG WIN THIS RUN-FEST GAME BY JUST 4 RUNS!

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, Four!FOUR! ANOTHER BOUNDARY! Tossed it up, right in the slot, around middle, Rinku Singh goes on his knee and lofts it down the ground over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, Four!FOUR! WELL PLAYED! Bishnoi keeps it short and well outside off, Rinku Singh extends his arms and slashes it wide of backward point for a boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Harshit Rana, 1 run.Nagging length and around middle and leg, Rana slices it to short third who does a midfield there which allows a single for the batters. KKR need 19 off the last 3 balls.

Ravi Bishnoi to Harshit Rana, No run.A dot ball! Short and around off, quicker as well, Harshit Rana looks to swipe it across but misses.

Ravi Bishnoi to Harshit Rana, Four!FOUR! BOUNDARY TO START OFF! Bishnoi drags his length back as he sees the batter charging down. Bowls it around off and middle, and Harshit Rana adjusts his shot in the end and slices it off the outer half of the bat over the backward point fielder for a boundary. KKR need 20 in the last five balls.

Ravi Bishnoi will bowl the last over. He has to defend 23 runs here, but good thing for him is that Rinku Singh is off strike.

Avesh Khan to Rinku Singh, Four!FOUR! GETS A BOUNDARY NOW! Avesh misses the yorker by an inch and bowls it fuller and wide outside off. Rinku Singh reches out and drills it in the gap towards sweeper cover for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Rinku Singh, No run.A yorker and outside off, Rinku jams it out to long off and doesn't take a single again.

Avesh Khan to Rinku Singh, No run.Full and around middle, Rinku stays on the leg side of the ball and drills it towards long on and denies the run.

Avesh Khan to Rinku Singh, No run.Good comeback! A yorker, around leg, Rinku jams it out back to the bowler.

Avesh Khan to Rinku Singh, Four!FOUR! TOP SHOT! Much fuller and around off, Rinku Singh gets underneath it and lofts it inside out over cover as the ball goes on the bounce over the ropes.

Avesh Khan to Rinku Singh, Six!SIX! HUMONGOUS! Avesh serves it full and right in the slot, with pace on, around middle, Rinku Singh crouches and pumps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Avesh Khan to bowl the penultimate over and KKR need 38 runs off the last two overs.

Digvesh Singh to Rinku Singh, 1 run.Another short ball and outside off, Rinku punches it to wide long on for a single.

Digvesh Singh to Rinku Singh, No run.Dragged length and outside off, Rinku looks to cut it but misses.

Digvesh Singh to Rinku Singh, Four!FOUR! WELL PLAYED! Tossed it up and around leg, Rinku Singh goes for the reverse sweep and connects it well. The ball goes in the gap towards cover for a boundary.

Digvesh Singh to Rinku Singh, Wide!WIDE! Short and well outside off, Rinku looks to reverse sweep it but misses. Called a wide.

Digvesh Singh to Harshit Rana, Leg bye.Leg bye! Full and down the leg side, a bit quicker as well, Rana moves across and looks to sweep it but misses and gets hit on the pads. They run for a quick leg bye as the ball rolls away towards the leg side beside of the pitch.

Digvesh Singh to Harshit Rana, No run.Short and around middle, Harshit Rana uses his feet to slog it across but adjusts his shot in the end to block it.

Digvesh Singh to Harshit Rana, No run.Nagging length and around middle, Rana defends it.

Shardul Thakur to Rinku Singh, Four!FOUR! DRILLED! A full toss and around off, Rinku Singh comes forward and drives it hard through cover for a boundary. Ravi Bishnoi dives to his right at extra cover but fails to stop it.

Shardul Thakur to Rinku Singh, No run.Short and around leg, Rinku ducks under it.

Shardul Thakur to Harshit Rana, 1 run.A low full toss, outside off, Rana drills it back to the bowler. Shardul tries to stop it with his outstretched right hand but gets his fingertips only as the ball goes and rattles the non-striker's end stumps. Rinku hasn't left his crease thus, the umpire doesn't go upstairs. They run for a single as the ball gets deflected towards long on.

Shardul Thakur to Harshit Rana, No run.A well-directed yorker and outside off, Rana fails to dig it out.

Shardul Thakur to Harshit Rana, Four!FOUR! CLUBBED! Short and wide outside off, Harshit Rana hops up and cuts it off late towards deep third man. Samad runs in to his right and makes a dive as well but the ball goes past him for a boundary.

Harshit Rana is the next man in. He will be facing the hat-trick ball.

Shardul Thakur to Andre Russell, OUT! c David Miller b Shardul Thakur.OUT! CAUGHT! IS THIS THE MATCH FOR LSG? The crowd has gone in pin-drop silence as Andre Russell is gone for 7(4) and KKR are 185/7. Thakur has bowled a full toss, a freebie to be put away, and outside off, not a ball to get a wicket. Andre Russell could have hit it anywhere, but he chooses it to go downtown but mistimes it. His bat face gets turned, and the ball goes off the cue end of the bat towards long off. David Miller runs forward and dives to catch it just above the ground.

Akash Deep to Andre Russell, 1 run.A yorker and on the pads, Russell tucks it to deep fine leg for a single to retain the strike. KKR need 54 runs off the last four overs.

Akash Deep to Andre Russell, Six!SIX! You can't bowl on this length to Russell here, as he will smack it all day! Right in the slot, with pace on, around middle and leg, Andre Russell clears out his front leg and thumps it over the deep mid-wuckey fence for a biggie.

Akash Deep to Andre Russell, No run.BEATEN! Short and well outside off, with pace taken off, Andre Russell leaps a bit to cut it off late but misses.

Akash Deep to Rinku Singh, 1 run.Full and wide outside off, Rinku reaches out to steer it to deep backward point for a single to get off the mark.

Rinku Singh comes out to the middle now.

Akash Deep to Venkatesh Iyer, OUT! c Aiden Markram b Akash Deep.OUT! CAUGHT! Akash Deep picks up one of the biggest wickets of the night, and the set batter Venkatesh Iyer is gone for 45(29). He bowls it fuller, but with pace taken off, around middle and off. Venkatesh Iyer stays deep-rooted in his crease and looks to launch it down the ground. He mistimes it off the bottom part of the bat and the ball goes towards long on where Aiden Markram runs across to his right a bit and picks up a reverse cup around his face. KKR are 177/6, still needing 62 runs in 28 balls!

Akash Deep to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!FOUR! TOP SHOT! Akash offers it full and right in the slot, outside off, Venkatesh Iyer comes forward for a bit and lofts it inside out over extra cover for a boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK! This match is hanging in between for now as LSG have made a good comeback because of the last couple of overs. KKR needs 66 runs in the last five overs, and they have their vice-captain at the crease, Venkatesh Iyer, who is well set and looking in good form. LSG needs to chip in more wickets to put more pressure on the batters of KKR as they have done it in the last two overs, which have gone for 11 runs only, and they picked two key wickets also. An interesting last passage of play is ahead of us, and with that, Andre Russell comes out to bat now.

Avesh Khan to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, OUT! c Rishabh Pant b Avesh Khan.OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Avesh Khan gets his man this time! He sees the batter move in his crease and tries to bowl a wide yorker, but it turns out to be a full toss. Angkrish Raghuvanshi tries the reverse scoop but the ball gets big on him and takes the top edge It lobs to the right of the keeper, where Rishabh Pant moves to that direction to grab it. KKR lose half their side now, and LSG are back in the game!

Avesh Khan to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Four!FOUR! Good shot! Fuller again and outside off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi opens the face of his bat and slices it away to the deep point fence for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, No run.Much fuller and outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi goes down across to swipe it away but misses. Rishabh Pant collects it behind the stumps and appeals for caught behind, but turned down. He has a chat with his bowler but decides against the review.

Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.Nails the yorker again, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer backs away and jams it out to long off for another run.

Avesh Khan to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.In the blockhole, outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi digs it out to covers for a run.

Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.Fuller and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer drills it to long on for a single.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi comes out to bat in the middle now. Also, Avesh Khan comes back into the attack.

Ravi Bishnoi to Ramandeep Singh, OUT! c Aiden Markram b Ravi Bishnoi.OUT! TAKEN! Ravi Bishnoi strikes! What an exceptional over from him, and this could prove to be a game-changing one for LSG. Tossed up, full and around off. Ramandeep Singh looks to go big down the ground but just fails to get underneath it fully. He fails to get the elevation as the ball goes straight to long off where Aiden Markram pouches it safely. Just 4 runs and a wicket from the over, and KKR are 166/4.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.A full toss, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for just one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.A bit short and on off, Ramandeep Singh pushes it to covers for a run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.Fires one full and on middle. Venkatesh Iyer gets too far across for the sweep and only manages to get a bottom edge behind the keeper, which gets deflected after clipping his front pad. They cross.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, No run.Flatter, full and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer moves across to sweep but misses.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, No run.Tossed up, full and around off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it straight to extra covers.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide!Floated, full and outside off, turns away. Venkatesh Iyer changes his stance for the reverse sweep but fails to connect. Rishabh Pant collects it to his left and throws it at the stumps for the stumping and appeals for it. It is not given as a wide, and KKR take the review. The replay shows that the ball passes outside the revised wide line. The umpire also wants to check for the stumping. Venky's foot was up in the air for a moment but got back in time. Wide given!

Ramandeep Singh has got a promotion here as he comes out to bat at number five for KKR. Also, Ravi Bishnoi (2-0-24-0) comes back into the attack.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, OUT! c Nicholas Pooran b Shardul Thakur.OUT! TAKEN! A soft dismissal and a wicket against the run of play for LSG! Some respite for the visitors, and they will be hoping that this is an opening for them to get back in the game. Shardul Thakur bowls a high full toss, on off, begging to be put away. Ajinkya Rahane can hit it anywhere in the park but ends up lobbing it straight to extra covers, where Nicholas Pooran makes no mistake. Rahane goes back for a fine 61 off just 35 balls, and KKR are 162/3 now.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, 2 runs.A full toss and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace. Abdul Samad does well to run in to his left to collect the ball to save two runs for his side.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, Four!EDGED AND FOUR! Shardul Thakur bangs this into the pitch, on off, rises up and angles away. Ajinkya Rahane moves across and looks to pull but gets a top edge. Rishabh Pant leaps and tries to grab it with an outstretched hand to his right, but it evades him and goes for a boundary.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.Good length and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane drives it straight to extra covers.

Shardul Thakur to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.A high full toss, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer gets surprised and manages to punch it to long off for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Fuller and on off, Ajinkya Rahane drills it to long off for a single. First legal delivery of the over.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, Wide!This is getting frustrating for everyone in the stadium now! However, this is a harsh call. Fuller and outside off. Ajinkya Rahane moves across a bit but offers no shot at it. Wide called. Shardul Thakur is asking Rishabh Pant to take the review but he denies it.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, Wide!Shardul Thakur bowls it full and outside off again, Ajinkya Rahane lets it go. Called a wide again.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, Wide!Third wide of the over! Tries the the wide line again but gets it wrong.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, Wide!Action replay of the previous delivery, pitched and outside the tramline. Ajinkya Rahane offers no shot at it. Wided again.

Shardul Thakur to Ajinkya Rahane, Wide!Fuller one but well outside off, Ajinkya Rahane leaves it alone. Wided. 150 up for KKR now!

Another change, as Shardul Thakur replaces Avesh Khan. Meanwhile, the skipper, Rishabh Pant, is getting some treatment from the physio for his back. He looks in pain here and has taken a pill. Now, he is fine to continue.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!FOUR! Gets it away! Gives this one some air, full and around off. Venkatesh Iyer strides out and drills it away hard and wide of long off. Ravi Bishnoi runs to his right and dives, but the ball picks up pace off the practice pitches and beats him to the fence for four runs.

Digvesh Singh to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane clips it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Digvesh Singh to Ajinkya Rahane, 2 runs.A bit short and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane tucks it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.Flighted, full and on off, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it through cover-point for a run.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!FOUR! Third time lucky for Venky! Floated, full and around off. Venkatesh Iyer gets into position quickly and reverse sweeps it over backward point for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, No run.BEATEN! A googly, full and on off, grips and turns away with bounce, Venkatesh Iyer looks to play but misses.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide!Fires one full but way outside off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to reverse sweep it but still fails to reach it. Wided.

Change of ends for Digvesh Singh as he comes back into the attack.

Avesh Khan to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.Back of a length and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane tries to cut but chops it down on the bounce to the keeper. Just 7 runs off the over. Superb stuff in between all the chaos!

Avesh Khan to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.Gets the yorker right again, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane forces it out to extra covers.

Avesh Khan to Ajinkya Rahane, Four!FOUR! FIFTY FOR RAHANE! A second half-century for him this season for the KKR skipper, and he has looked in sublime touch here. Fuller in length and just outside off. Rahane shuffles across early, gets down and paddles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.Nicely bowled! Another fine yorker, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer drills it through covers for a single.

Halt. The physio has come out to check on Venkatesh Iyer, as he seems to have hurt his left foot while playing his last shot. He is fine to continue further.

Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, No run.In the blockhole again just around off, Venkatesh Iyer backs away but only manages to dig it out on the pitch. It looks like Iyer has hurt his foot while playing that ball and is in a bit of discomfort.

Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, 2 runs.A good yorker, on leg, Venkatesh Iyer jams it out through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Good running!

Avesh Khan (1-0-17-0) comes back into the attack.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.Dragged length and outside off, Iyer drags it to long on for a single. KKR need 110 runs in the last ten overs.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, No run.Full and wide outside off, Iyer looks to reverse sweep it but misses.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, Six!SIX! HUMONGOUS! A googly from Bishnoi and in the slot, around middle, Venkatesh Iyer comes forward to get under it and lofts it down the ground over long on for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide!WIDE! Darts in full again but wide outside off, Iyer doesn't offer any shot at it. Called a wide.

Ravi Bishnoi to Venkatesh Iyer, No run.On a nagging length and wide outside off, keeps it away from the batter's arc, Venkatesh Iyer manages to just flat-bats at it off the bottom part of the bat back to the bowler.

Ravi Bishnoi to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Tossed it up, but on the pads, Rahane tucks it towards square leg for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Ajinkya Rahane, Four!FOUR! CRUNCHED! Touch short and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane crouches a bit and opens bat face off late to guide it past the backward point fielder for a boundary.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!FOUR! A CHANCE AND A BOUNDARY! A googly, on a length and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer goes back and looks to cut it. Gets a thick outside edge as the keeper Rishabh Pant also moves to his left to take it but the ball bursts out through his hands and goes to the boundary at deep third man. If Pant could have hold it, it would have been a big wicket for LSG.

Digvesh Singh to Ajinkya Rahane, 1 run.Short and outside off, Rahane cuts it to backward point who fails to collect it cleanly which allows a single for the batters.

Digvesh Singh to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.Dragged length and outside off, Rahane pats it down to short third for no run.

Digvesh Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run.On a nagging length, touch outside off, Iyer drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.