In the 68th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by one run at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
KKR won the toss and asked LSG to bat first. The Lucknow-based side got off to a drastic start as they lost three wickets for very few runs. While Quinton de Kock (28) scored some decent runs upfront, Prerak Mankad (26), from the other end, also added some runs. It was Nicholas Pooran (58) who smoked bowlers all around the park and aided LSG to reach a massive total at the Eden Gardens. With four fours and five sixes, Pooran took LSG to a massive score of 176 runs in 20 overs.
In the chase, Jason Roy (45) gave KKR a strong start as he striked at 160.71. Venkatesh Iyer (24) and Rahmanullah Gubaz (10) also contributed few runs but it wasn’t enough. Once again Rinku Singh (67*) stood tall but received no help from the other end. In the end his valiant effort fell one run short.
While defending, two wickets each were grabbed by Ravi Bishnoi and Yash Thakur. Along with them, one wicket were also bagged by Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham.
For KKR, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur and Vaibhav Arora bagged two wickets while one wicket each was taken by Sunil Narine and Harshit Rana.
Nicholas Pooran was adjudged Player of the Match for his scintillating batting show. Following this win, LSG have now 17 points and are qualified for the playoffs.
Scorecard:
Lucknow Super Giants: 176/8, Overs 20, Nicholas Pooran 58, Sunil Narine 2/27
Kolkata Knight Riders: 175/7, Overs 20, Rinku Singh 67*, Ravi Bishnoi 2/23