The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a festival of cricket that brings together fans of all ages, and the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Match Scorecard on April 8, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata was nothing short of a spectacle. This high-scoring thriller, Match 21 of IPL 2025, saw both teams put on a batting masterclass, with LSG emerging victorious by a slender margin of 4 runs. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting game, breaking down the scorecard, key performances, and moments that made it unforgettable—all in a way that’s easy to follow for fans young and old.
The Stage: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Match Scorecard Eden Gardens and the Toss
Eden Gardens, one of the most historic cricket venues in the world, was buzzing with energy as fans filled the stands, eagerly awaiting a clash between two IPL heavyweights. KKR, led by captain Ajinkya Rahane, won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on the pitch conditions. Rahane noted that the wicket looked good for batting and the smaller boundary on one side could be a factor, so bowling first seemed like a strategic move to gauge LSG’s total before chasing.
LSG, under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, came into the match with confidence, bolstered by their strong batting lineup featuring players like Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran. KKR, on the other hand, relied on their balanced squad, with explosive openers like Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine, and a middle order packed with power-hitters like Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh. What unfolded was a run-fest that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
First Innings: Lucknow Super Giants’ Batting Fireworks
LSG’s innings was a display of aggressive batting, as they posted a formidable 238/3 in their 20 overs. The tone was set early by openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who took on KKR’s bowlers with confidence. The duo put on a 99-run partnership for the first wicket, with Marsh scoring a stylish 81 off 48 balls, including several boundaries that exploited the shorter boundary at Eden Gardens. Markram complemented him with a brisk 47 off 28 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking with crisp shots.
The real game-changer, though, was Nicholas Pooran, who walked in at No. 3 and unleashed a breathtaking 87 not out off just 36 balls. Pooran’s innings was a masterclass in T20 batting—his ability to find gaps, clear the ropes, and punish loose deliveries was on full display. He smashed multiple sixes, including a monstrous one that sailed into the stands, earning him the Player of the Match award. His partnership with Marsh and later with Rishabh Pant (who remained not out) ensured LSG reached a daunting total.
For KKR, Harshit Rana was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 51 runs in his 4 overs, including the crucial scalps of Markram and Abdul Samad. Andre Russell chipped in with 1 wicket, but the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain LSG’s rampant batting. The spinners, including Varun Chakaravarthy, found it tough on a pitch that offered little assistance, and the short boundary didn’t help their cause either.
LSG Batting Scorecard
Here’s how LSG’s batsmen performed:
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mitchell Marsh |
81 | 48 | 7 | 2 | 168.75 |
|
Aiden Markram |
47 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 167.86 |
|
Nicholas Pooran (not out) |
87 | 36 | 8 | 4 | 241.67 |
|
Abdul Samad |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
|
Rishabh Pant (not out) |
– | – | – | – | – |
|
Extras |
17 |
(B: 2, LB: 3, NB: 2, WD: 10) |
|||
|
Total |
238/3 (20 overs) |
CRR: 11.90 rpo |
Fall of Wickets:
-
99/1 (Aiden Markram, 10.2 ov)
-
170/2 (Mitchell Marsh, 15.2 ov)
-
221/3 (Abdul Samad, 18.2 ov)
KKR Bowling:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vaibhav Arora |
4 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 11.25 |
|
Harshit Rana |
4 | 0 | 51 | 2 | 12.75 |
|
Andre Russell |
2 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 16.00 |
|
Varun Chakaravarthy |
4 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 10.00 |
|
Spencer Johnson |
3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.67 |
|
Sunil Narine |
3 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 9.33 |
Second Innings: KKR’s Valiant Chase
Chasing a mammoth 239, KKR needed a strong start, and their openers, Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine, didn’t disappoint. The duo raced to 50 runs in just 3.4 overs, with de Kock smashing a quick 37 before falling in the 2.3rd over. Narine followed soon after for 7, leaving KKR at 91/2 by the 6.2nd over. Despite the early wickets, KKR’s captain Ajinkya Rahane stepped up with a brilliant 61 off 35 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes. His aggressive intent kept KKR in the hunt, and he found able support in Venkatesh Iyer, who scored a steady 45 off 29 balls.
The middle overs saw KKR maintain a healthy run rate, reaching 149/2 by the 12th over. However, LSG’s bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur (2/52) and Akash Deep (2/55), struck back, triggering a collapse of 5 wickets for 33 runs. Rinku Singh’s late cameo of 38 off 15 balls, including six fours, gave KKR hope, but they fell agonizingly short at 234/7 in their 20 overs. The final over, bowled by Ravi Bishnoi, was a tense affair, with Rinku Singh hitting a boundary but unable to close the gap.
KKR Batting Scorecard
Here’s how KKR’s batsmen fared:
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quinton de Kock |
37 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 264.29 |
|
Sunil Narine |
7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 116.66 |
|
Ajinkya Rahane (c) |
61 | 35 | 8 | 2 | 174.29 |
|
Venkatesh Iyer |
45 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 155.17 |
|
Angkrish Raghuvanshi |
7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.67 |
|
Rinku Singh (not out) |
38 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 253.33 |
|
Andre Russell |
12 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 150.00 |
|
Ramandeep Singh |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
|
Harshit Rana (not out) |
4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
|
Extras |
17 |
(B: 2, LB: 3, NB: 2, WD: 10) |
|||
|
Total |
234/7 (20 overs) |
CRR: 11.70 rpo |
Fall of Wickets:
-
37/1 (Quinton de Kock, 2.3 ov)
-
91/2 (Sunil Narine, 6.2 ov)
-
162/3 (Ajinkya Rahane, 12.6 ov)
-
166/4 (Ramandeep Singh, 13.6 ov)
-
173/5 (Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 14.6 ov)
-
177/6 (Venkatesh Iyer, 15.2 ov)
-
185/7 (Andre Russell, 16.1 ov)
LSG Bowling:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Akash Deep |
4 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 13.75 |
|
Avesh Khan |
4 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 11.25 |
|
Shardul Thakur |
4 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 13.00 |
|
Ravi Bishnoi |
4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 5.75 |
|
Digvesh Singh Rathi |
3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.67 |
Key Moments That Defined the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Match Scorecard
This match was a rollercoaster, with several turning points that kept fans glued to the action:
-
LSG’s Powerplay Dominance: LSG’s openers set the tone by scoring 90 runs in the powerplay (first 6 overs), putting KKR’s bowlers under pressure early. Marsh and Markram’s aggressive approach meant KKR had to rethink their bowling plans.
-
Pooran’s Explosive Finish: Nicholas Pooran’s 87* off 36 balls, especially his onslaught in the death overs, pushed LSG to 238. His ability to hit sixes at will was a game-changer, as KKR struggled to contain him.
-
KKR’s Blazing Start: KKR’s openers, de Kock and Narine, matched LSG’s intensity in the powerplay, scoring 50 runs in 3.4 overs. This set the stage for a thrilling chase, giving KKR fans hope.
-
LSG’s Bowling Fightback: After KKR reached 149/2, LSG’s bowlers, particularly Shardul Thakur and Akash Deep, triggered a collapse. Taking 5 wickets in quick succession turned the game in LSG’s favor.
-
Rinku Singh’s Late Heroics: Rinku Singh’s 38 off 15 balls brought KKR tantalizingly close to the target. His boundary in the final over off Ravi Bishnoi raised hopes, but LSG held their nerve.
Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran’s match-defining 87* off 36 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. In a post-match interview, Pooran credited his performance to hours of practice, saying, “I’ve been asked about my six-hitting a million times. It’s all about practice. You understand what the bowlers are going to do, and you work on that.” His ability to read the game and dominate KKR’s bowlers was pivotal in LSG’s victory.
What the Captains Said
LSG captain Rishabh Pant admitted the game was closer than expected: “We didn’t realize it would get this close when we batted, but KKR’s batting made it tough. We told our bowlers to stick to their plans after the first strategic break, and it worked.”
KKR’s Ajinkya Rahane reflected on the tight loss: “It was a great game, just 4 runs short. The intent was there, and everyone batted well. The short boundary made it tough for our bowlers, but we fought hard.”
Why This Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Match Scorecard Mattered
This 4-run victory helped LSG climb to fourth in the IPL 2025 points table, boosting their playoff hopes. For KKR, the loss highlighted their inconsistent form, as they’ve struggled to string together wins. The match also set a record for the highest aggregate runs (472) in a KKR-LSG IPL clash, showcasing the batting-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens.
Looking Ahead
For LSG, this win was a confidence booster, with their batting firing and bowlers like Avesh Khan and Akash Deep regaining form after injuries. KKR, despite the loss, showed they have the firepower to chase big totals, and players like Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane will be key in future games. Both teams will look to build on this high-octane encounter as the IPL 2025 season heats up.
Final Thoughts
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Match Scorecard clash on April 8, 2025, was a reminder of why the IPL is loved by millions—it’s unpredictable, thrilling, and full of heart-stopping moments. Whether you’re a young fan cheering for your favorite player or a seasoned cricket lover analyzing every ball, this match had something for everyone. From Pooran’s six-hitting spree to Rinku’s valiant effort, it was a game that will be remembered for its sheer entertainment value. Stay tuned for more IPL action, as the tournament promises more such nail-biters!
