At Kolkata's historic Eden Gardens, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) posted a mammoth 238 runs while batting first, showcasing a whirlwind batting performance.
Sports News: The Lucknow Super Giants put on a breathtaking display of batting at Kolkata's historic Eden Gardens, setting a massive 238-run target while batting first. The KKR bowlers were thoroughly thrashed, with boundaries raining down on the field. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran continued their excellent form, smashing quick-fire half-centuries. Aiden Markram also contributed significantly with a fiery 47-run knock.
Marsh and Pooran combined to hit a total of 13 fours and 13 sixes, propelling Lucknow's score to seemingly impossible heights. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) now face a daunting target of 239 runs.
Marsh-Markram's 'Run Machine' Opening
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Lucknow started explosively. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram put on a 99-run partnership for the first wicket in just 9 overs. Markram scored 47 runs off 28 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. Marsh then shifted gears, scoring 81 runs off 48 balls, smashing 6 fours and 5 towering sixes.
Nicholas Pooran's Havoc
After Marsh's dismissal, Nicholas Pooran entered the arena and completely dismantled the Kolkata bowling attack. Pooran blasted 87 runs off just 36 balls, maintaining a staggering strike rate of 241. His explosive innings included 7 fours and 8 sixes. After 11 overs, Lucknow's score was 106/1, but the team then unleashed an onslaught of explosive cricket. Only one of the final 9 overs yielded less than 10 runs; the rest saw a flurry of boundaries. In total, LSG plundered 132 runs in these 9 overs.
In the 18th over, Pooran completely decimated Andre Russell's bowling, smashing 24 runs in the over with the help of 2 sixes and 3 fours. This over proved to be a turning point in the match. No Kolkata bowler found their rhythm; Russell and Chakravarthy alike were thoroughly punished.
