IPL 2025: Pooran-Marsh's lightning fifties guide LSG to thrilling 4-run win over KKR, Rinku's blitz in vain

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) rode on Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh's blitzkrieg to get the better of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash on April 8. This was Rishabh Pant-LSG's third win in the ongoing season.

LSG edge past KKR by 4 runs

Nicholas Pooran's fiery 36-ball 87 and Mitchell Marsh's 48-ball 81 helped LSG post a mammoth total of 238/3. In reply, KKR were restricted for 234/7 despite Ajinkya Rahane's 35-ball 61 and Rinku Singh's late blitz of 15-ball 38.

LSG will next face Gujarat Titans on April 12, while KKR will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 11. With this win LSG shot to fourth in the IPL 2025 points table with three wins while KKR tumbled to sixth place with three losses.

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Despite an early setback with the dismissal of de Kock, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) launched a ferocious counter-attack. Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine unleashed an aggressive onslaught on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowlers, amassing a staggering 90 runs within the powerplay. This explosive start laid the foundation for what promised to be an exhilarating chase. Later in the innings, LSG's reliable spinner, Digvesh Singh, provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Sunil Narine. This wicket offered LSG a glimmer of hope that the momentum might swing in their favor.

However, Venkatesh Iyer had other plans. The KKR vice-captain continued the onslaught, forging a strong partnership with his skipper, Rahane. Together, they piled on the runs, propelling KKR to a commanding 137 for the loss of just two wickets by the 11th over.

But the tide of the game was about to turn dramatically. LSG orchestrated a remarkable comeback, seizing the momentum as KKR suffered a collapse, losing four wickets in a mere four overs. This sudden shift pushed the hosts to 185 for six by the 16th over, leaving the game hanging precariously in the balance. Following the final strategic timeout, Shardul Thakur delivered a crucial blow for LSG, dismissing the powerful Andre Russell with the very first ball of his final over. The responsibility now rested on the shoulders of KKR's dependable finisher, Rinku Singh. He fought valiantly, scoring an unbeaten 38 runs off just 15 balls, but ultimately fell agonisingly short as LSG clinched a thrilling 4-run victory.

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Earlier, LSG put on a formidable total 238/3 against KKR. After being asked to bat first, LSG's opening pair, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, delivered a commanding performance with the bat. Markram contributed a quickfire 47 runs off 28 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two sixes. Marsh, on the other hand, played a more substantial innings, scoring 81 runs from just 48 balls, decorated with six fours and five sixes.

Following the departure of the openers, Nicholas Pooran continued the aggressive batting display, ensuring that LSG maintained their momentum. The dynamic left-hander played an explosive unbeaten innings of 87 runs off only 36 balls, captivating the crowd with seven boundaries and eight towering sixes.

Pooran's remarkable innings further solidified his position as the leading run-scorer in the current IPL 2025 season, increasing his total from 201 to an impressive 288 runs.

Coming in at number four, Abdul Samad contributed six runs off four deliveries, including one boundary. David Miller also remained unbeaten, scoring four runs off the same number of balls. Captain Rishabh Pant did not get an opportunity to bat in this innings, and his batting form is yet to be showcased in the tournament. KKR lead fast bowler, Harshit Rana, managed to secure two wickets but conceded 51 runs in his four overs. The powerful all-rounder Andre Russell also contributed with a single wicket, giving away 32 runs in his two overs. However, the other KKR bowlers, including Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine, were unable to claim any wickets in this IPL 2025 match against LSG. Heading into this encounter, both LSG and KKR had identical records, with two wins and two losses each. After the match LSG ended up leading the head-to-head record with one up against KKR