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IPL 2025: KKR vs LSG – Follow the Live Score and Real-Time Action in Kolkata
The electric atmosphere of Eden Gardens today welcomed one of the most anticipated clashes of the IPL 2025 season, pitting the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Lucknow Super Giants. This match, filled with twists and turns, delivered on all its promises with a festival of boundaries and remarkable individual performances that captivated the thousands of spectators present in Kolkata’s mythical venue.
Pre-Match: Preparations and Analysis (April 8, 2025)
The tension was palpable this Tuesday afternoon at Eden Gardens, with both teams arriving with positive momentum. KKR, buoyed by two consecutive home victories, was looking to consolidate its position at the top of the table. The Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, hoped to continue their progress after an inconsistent start to the season.
The Toss: KKR Chooses to Bowl First at Eden Gardens
At precisely 7:00 PM, both captains met at the center of the field for the toss. Shreyas Iyer, KKR’s captain, won the toss and made a decision that would prove crucial for the subsequent events: to bowl first. “The evening conditions should favor our bowlers, and dew could be an important factor in the second innings,” he explained, confident in his strategy.
Starting Elevens: Team Compositions for Kolkata and Lucknow
KKR fielded a balanced team with two notable changes: the return of Varun Chakravarthy, recovered from his finger injury, and the integration of young Bengali batsman Abhishek Porel.
KKR: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Porel.
On LSG’s side, two significant modifications were made with the entry of promising Digvesh Rathi and the return of experienced Mitchell Marsh.
LSG: Quinton de Kock (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Digvesh Rathi, Mohsin Khan.
Pitch Report: A Fresh Surface with a Shorter Boundary on One Side
The Eden Gardens pitch presented a dry appearance with a slight greenish tint, suggesting a good balance between batters and bowlers. The notable characteristic was the shorter boundary on the east side, measuring only 62 meters compared to 72 meters on the west side. This asymmetry would significantly influence game strategies, particularly for left-handed batters.
Captains’ Views: Strategies and Expectations for the Match
Krunal Pandya, LSG’s captain, expressed disappointment at not being able to bat second but remained determined: “We would have preferred to chase with the evening dew, but we have the batsmen to build an imposing total.”
Shreyas Iyer emphasized the importance of bowling discipline: “Our plan is clear – contain their powerful batting lineup in the first six overs and then apply pressure in the middle.”
First Innings: LSG Establishes an Imposing Total of 238/3
What seemed like a judicious decision by KKR quickly turned into a nightmare against the show of force by LSG’s batters.
Strong Start for LSG: Marsh and Markram Inflict Damage on KKR Bowlers
After the early loss of Quinton de Kock (11 runs) to Mitchell Starc in the second over, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram built a devastating partnership. The two Australians particularly targeted KKR’s spin bowlers, skillfully exploiting the shorter boundary. Their association of 96 runs in just 8.2 overs laid the foundation for a monumental score.
Nicholas Pooran Unleashed: A Lightning Knock of 87 Not Out in 36 Balls
Nicholas Pooran’s entry changed the game’s dynamics. The Caribbean left-hander deployed his full offensive arsenal, hitting 9 sixes and 6 fours in a demonstration of pure power. His most spectacular shot came against Varun Chakravarthy, sending the ball onto the roof of Eden Gardens. His 87 runs in just 36 balls (strike rate of 241.66) dramatically accelerated LSG’s score.
Mitchell Marsh Shines with 81 Runs Before Being Dismissed by Russell
Mitchell Marsh completed his half-century in 32 balls, continuing with a mixture of power and finesse. His innings of 81 runs (49 balls, 7 fours, 5 sixes) ended when Andre Russell delivered a perfect yorker that uprooted his middle stump. His departure in the 17th over, however, did not slow LSG’s assault.
KKR’s Wickets: Harshit Rana Takes Two, Russell One
In this deluge of runs, Harshit Rana was the most effective bowler for KKR, taking two crucial wickets (De Kock and Markram) for 42 runs. Andre Russell added Marsh’s wicket but conceded 51 runs in his four overs. Mitchell Starc and Varun Chakravarthy particularly suffered, conceding 53 and 48 runs respectively without taking a wicket.
Second Innings: KKR Chasing 239 Runs
Facing this intimidating total of 238 runs, KKR needed an explosive start to stay in the race.
Explosive Start for KKR: De Kock and Narine Open the Innings
True to his reputation, Sunil Narine launched the offensive from the first over by hitting three consecutive boundaries against Mohsin Khan. His raw power, combined with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s sharp technique, allowed KKR to reach 61 runs without loss in the powerplay, giving hope to the local supporters.
Unusual Moment: LSG Bowler Concedes Five Consecutive Wides
The seventh over was marked by a rare event in IPL: Naveen-ul-Haq conceded five consecutive wides, giving KKR five precious runs without effort. This unusual sequence momentarily destabilized the LSG camp, but Krunal Pandya quickly reorganized his troops.
LSG Breakthrough: Digvesh Rathi Eliminates the Dangerous Sunil Narine (30 Runs)
Young Digvesh Rathi, playing only his second IPL match, made the crucial breakthrough by eliminating Sunil Narine (30 runs in 18 balls) thanks to a spectacular catch by Krunal Pandya at mid-off. This wicket slightly slowed KKR’s momentum, requiring a rebuild.
Rahane and Iyer Consolidate: A Crucial Partnership for KKR
Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer took over with a calculated approach, alternating between controlled attacks and intelligent strike rotation. Their partnership of 68 runs in 42 balls kept KKR in the race, despite the frantic pace required.
Ajinkya Rahane Reaches an Impressive Half-Century (50 in 26 Balls)
Veteran Ajinkya Rahane demonstrated why he remains a formidable force in T20, reaching his fiftieth run in just 26 balls. His exquisite wristwork allowed him to exploit spaces with precision, particularly against spin bowlers.
KKR Under Pressure: 90 Runs Needed in the Remaining 48 Balls
Midway through their innings, KKR found themselves in a delicate position with 90 runs still needed in just 48 balls. The required rate of 11.25 runs per over placed considerable pressure on the upcoming batters, notably Andre Russell and Rinku Singh.
Match Analysis and Highlights
Debate on KKR’s Decision to Bowl First After LSG’s Performance
Shreyas Iyer’s initial decision to bowl first raised many questions after the phenomenal performance of LSG’s batters. Experts suggest that the anticipated evening dew was not as significant as expected, thus compromising KKR’s strategy.
Interesting Duel: Narine versus Rathi – The Master and the Apprentice
One of the memorable moments of the match was the face-off between the experienced Sunil Narine and the promising young Digvesh Rathi. The latter, often compared to Narine for his similar bowling action, won this particular battle by taking the Trinidadian’s wicket. This symbolic confrontation between generations illustrated the cyclical beauty of cricket.
Nicholas Pooran’s Dazzling Form for the Super Giants
Nicholas Pooran’s exceptional performance continues to make waves in this edition of the IPL. With this knock of 87* runs, the West Indian left-handed batter consolidates his position in the race for the “Orange Cap” with now 298 runs in six matches. His ability to accelerate at the end of innings makes him one of the most formidable finishers in the tournament.
Continuous Live Updates
Progression of Following Overs and Score Evolution
As the match enters its decisive phase, tension rises a notch at Eden Gardens. The death overs will be determining in this high-flying thriller, with Andre Russell and Rinku Singh ready to launch the final assault for KKR. The presence of these two explosive batters keeps hope alive for the Knight Riders, while LSG relies on the experience of Naveen-ul-Haq and Mohsin Khan to defend their imposing total.
The suspense remains high in this encounter that perfectly illustrates why the IPL remains the most exciting cricket championship in the world.
LSG vs KKR live score, IPL 2025
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