The IPL 2025 excitement reached fever pitch as a high-scoring encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final ball. Lucknow, batting first, posted a formidable 238 runs. Kolkata put up a spirited chase but ultimately fell short by just 4 runs.
Sports News: Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 4 runs in a thrilling IPL 2025 match. The match was played at Kolkata's home ground, Eden Gardens, where Lucknow, batting first, set a challenging target of 238 runs. In response, Kolkata fought valiantly, reaching 234 runs but ultimately missing out on victory by a narrow margin.
This defeat marked Kolkata Knight Riders' third loss in five matches, making their position on the points table even more challenging.
Lucknow's Explosive Batting Display
After losing the toss and electing to bat, LSG started aggressively. Explosive innings from Aiden Markram (47 runs), Mitchell Marsh (81 runs), and Nicholas Pooran (87 runs off just 36 balls) overwhelmed the KKR bowlers. Lucknow amassed 238/3 in their allotted 20 overs, their second-highest score in franchise history.
Kolkata's Aggressive Start, but Middle-Overs Wobble
Chasing 239 runs, Kolkata made a brilliant start, but Quinton de Kock departed early. Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine then accelerated the scoring rate, adding 54 runs in just 23 balls. Narine scored 30 runs off 13 balls, while Rahane played a captain's knock of 61 runs.
Venkatesh Iyer also contributed a crucial 45 runs, keeping hopes of victory alive. After 13 overs, the score was 162/3, needing 77 runs from 7 overs with both batsmen well set. However, the match took a turn from here.
Run Rate Collapse in the Final Five Overs
From the 14th to the 18th over, LSG's bowlers staged a remarkable comeback, restricting Kolkata to only 39 runs. This hampered their increasing run rate. Although Rinku Singh once again played the role of a finisher, smashing 38 runs off 15 balls and scoring 19 runs in the final over, it was too late to prevent the defeat.
