IPL 2025: Marsh, Pooran power LSG as KKR lose by four runs in high-scoring contest

Lucknow Super Giants’ Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 8, 2025.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh’s awe-inspiring half-centuries powered Lucknow Super Giants to an exciting four-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-scoring, hot afternoon contest in the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.

Put in, LSG piled a massive 238 for three before restricting KKR to 234 for seven for its third victory.

LSG openers Marsh (81, 48b, 6×4, 5×6) and Aiden Markram (47, 28b, 4×4, 2×6), mixed watchfulness with smart shot selection, choosing erratic Aussie left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson for special treatment, to build solid 99-run partnership.

Harshit Rana castled Markram, who hit two spectacular sixes over mid-wicket and third-man, in the 11th over.

Marsh formed another rapid 30-ball 71-run stand with Pooran.

The clinical Marsh clubbed some lusty sixes while showing his flair on the leg-side before displaying his range on the off. He adjusted well to the slow pitch to score his fourth half-century this season before being caught at backward point.

As KKR bowlers struggled to apply brakes, an effortless Pooran unleashed his breathtaking pyrotechnics. The brutal southpaw ruled the offside before plundering runs on the leg-side. He was severe on his fellow Caribbean Andre Russell, smashing him for 24 runs in the 18th over.

Orange cap owner Pooran (87 n.o., 36b, 7×4, 8×6) achieved his best IPL score as LSG, which collected 68 in the last four, bulldozed to its second highest total.

Despite losing Quinton de Kock early, KKR raced to 90 in the Powerplay thanks to a brisk 54-run partnership between Sunil Narine and captain Ajinkya Rahane.

While Narine picked his spots nicely, a classy Rahane (61, 35b, 8×4, 2×6) accelerated with his exquisite placement and array of proper strokes.

Rookie Digvesh Rathi succeeded in his first over, dismissing his idol Narine, and showcased another notebook celebration, this time on grass.

With his deputy Venkatesh Iyer (45, 29b, 6×4, 1×6), Rahane added a crucial 40-ball 71.

Even after Rahane’s departure, claimed by Shardul Thakur after the latter bowled five consecutive wides in the 13th over, a never-say-die KKR fought on. Rinku Singh’s gutsy show provided the thrill but not a win.)