Based on the brilliant innings of Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by four runs at their home on Tuesday. Batting first, Lucknow scored 238 runs for the loss of three wickets. Despite their efforts, Kolkata could only manage 234 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
Pooran played unbeaten innings of 87 runs off 36 balls, hitting seven fours and eight sixes. Marsh faced 48 balls and scored 81 runs, including six fours and five sixes. Kolkata’s captain, Ajinkya Rahane, played a stormy knock, scoring a half-century.
Kolkata Got a Fast Start
Kolkata needed a quick start while chasing a big target, and they got it. Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock’s opening pair started strongly from the first over. They scored 16 runs in the first over and 15 runs in the second. However, Akashdeep broke this dangerous partnership. He dismissed de Kock for 15 runs off 9 balls. The left-handed batsman hit two sixes in his short innings.
Narine and Rahane Built Momentum
After de Kock’s wicket, captain Ajinkya Rahane came in and began attacking the Lucknow bowlers along with Narine. Kolkata scored 90 runs for one wicket in the first six overs. But on the second ball of the seventh over, Digvesh Rathi dismissed Narine. He scored 30 runs off 13 balls with four fours and two sixes.
Rahane and Iyer Took Control
Vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer then joined Captain Rahane. Together, they kept the momentum going and put pressure on the Lucknow bowlers. Their partnership looked dangerous, but Shardul Thakur broke it. He dismissed Rahane with a full toss, which Pooran caught. Rahane scored 61 runs in 35 balls with eight fours and two sixes.
Kolkata’s Collapse Began
After Rahane’s wicket, Kolkata’s innings started to fall apart. Ramandeep Singh (1), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (5), Andre Russell (7), and Venkatesh Iyer (45) were all dismissed in quick succession. Kolkata fell short of the target despite the good start.
Marsh Gave Lucknow a Strong Start
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh played a brilliant innings to help Lucknow post a big total. He and Aiden Markram added 99 runs for the first wicket. Markram missed his fifty and was bowled by Harshit Rana for 47 runs off 28 balls. After Markram’s wicket, Pooran came in and started attacking. He and Marsh added 71 runs together. Marsh was dismissed by Andre Russell after scoring 81 runs in 48 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes.
Pooran’s Power-Hitting Took the Game Away
Even after Marsh got out, Nicholas Pooran kept hitting big shots. He looked set for a century but couldn’t get enough strike in the final overs. He remained unbeaten on 87 runs off 36 balls, smashing seven fours and eight sixes. His powerful innings helped Lucknow reach a massive total.