IPL 2025: LSG Survive Rinku Singh Scare to Clinch 4-Run Thriller Against KKR

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IPL 2025: In a run-fest at Eden Gardens on April 8, 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) held their nerves to secure a thrilling 4-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 21 of the Indian Premier League 2025.

The contest went right down to the final ball, with KKR's Rinku Singh almost pulling off a stunning chase, only to fall agonizingly short.

Batting first after losing the toss, LSG posted a mammoth 238 for 3 in their 20 overs, courtesy of explosive innings from their top and middle order. Aiden Markram provided the initial impetus with a fluent 47 off 28 balls, which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. Mitchell Marsh then upped the tempo with a fiery 81 from just 48 deliveries, hammering 6 fours and 5 maximums before falling to Andre Russell.

The real carnage, however, came from Nicholas Pooran, who went berserk in the death overs with an unbeaten 87 off just 36 balls at a mind-blowing strike rate of 241.67. His knock, laced with 7 fours and 8 sixes, completely deflated the KKR bowling attack. Abdul Samad (6 off 4) and David Miller (4* off 4) chipped in briefly as LSG finished strong.

For KKR, none of the bowlers could stem the flow of runs. Harshit Rana was particularly expensive, leaking 51 runs in his four overs. Varun Chakaravarthy and Narine tried to keep things tight but had little success.

Chasing 239, KKR got off to a rapid start with Quinton de Kock smashing a 9-ball 15 and Sunil Narine playing a blazing cameo of 30 off 13 balls. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane kept the chase alive with a captain's knock of 61 off 35 balls, but his dismissal in the 13th over to Shardul Thakur turned the tide.

Venkatesh Iyer contributed 45 from 29 balls before falling to Akash Deep, while middle-order batters Ramandeep Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi failed to convert their starts. Andre Russell threatened briefly with a 7-ball 14, but he too succumbed to Thakur.

With the equation climbing steeply in the final overs, Rinku Singh once again proved why he's regarded as one of the best finishers in the format. He smashed an unbeaten 38 off just 15 balls, with 2 fours and 3 sixes, nearly pulling off a heist. Partnered by Harshit Rana (10* off 9), Rinku fought till the last ball, but KKR eventually finished at 234 for 7-just four runs short of what would have been the highest successful chase in IPL history.

For LSG, Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece, while Ravi Bishnoi and Digvesh Rathi chipped in with one each. Despite conceding 20 extras, LSG's bowlers held their nerve at the death, especially under pressure from Rinku's late onslaught.

With this win, LSG continue their strong campaign, while KKR are left to rue another close finish where their bowlers couldn't contain the opposition, and their batters-despite heroics-couldn't quite get them over the line.