The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) IPL 2025 clash was a high-octane thriller that lived up to its hype. Played at Eden Gardens, the match saw LSG edge past KKR by just 4 runs in a nail-biting finish. Nicholas Pooran explosive 87 (36)* and Mitchell Marsh’s solid 81 (48) powered LSG to a mammoth 238/3, while KKR’s valiant chase (234/7) fell short despite Ajinkya Rahane’s 61 (35) and *Rinku Singh’s late fireworks (38 off 15)**.
This match had everything: big sixes, quick wickets, tactical battles, and a last-over twist. LSG’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs while KKR’s middle-order collapse proved costly. The pitch favored batters, with short boundaries and minimal dew, making it a true T20 spectacle. Head-to-head, LSG now leads 3-2 against KKR, continuing their dominance in close encounters.
From Dream11 insights to post-match reactions, this article breaks down every key moment, player performance, and stat you need to know. Whether you missed the action or want a detailed analysis, we’ve got you covered.
Key Highlights
- LSG won by 4 runs in a high-scoring thriller (238/3 vs. 234/7).
- Nicholas Pooran (87 off 36) & Mitchell Marsh (81 off 48)* were LSG’s heroes.
- KKR’s chase faltered after Rahane’s dismissal, despite Rinku Singh’s late surge.
- Eden Gardens pitch was a batting paradise, with spinners getting slight grip.
- LSG now leads 3-2 vs KKR in IPL head-to-head records.
- Fantasy Cricket Tips: Pooran & Marsh were top picks; avoid Russell & Bishnoi.
KKR vs LSG IPL 2025: Full Match Recap, Stats and Key Takeaways
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) IPL 2025 clash was a high-scoring thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With explosive batting, tactical bowling changes and a nail-biting finish, this match had everything a T20 cricket fan could ask for.
Key Highlights
- Match summary & key moments
- Player performances & impact
- Pitch & weather conditions
- Head-to-head stats & records
- Dream11 & fantasy cricket insights
- Post-match reactions & analysis
Let’s dive into the action-packed encounter between KKR and LSG at Eden Gardens.
Match Overview: LSG Clinch Thriller by 4 Runs
The 21st match of IPL 2025 saw Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by just 4 runs in a high-scoring contest. LSG posted 238/3, thanks to *Nicholas Pooran blistering 87 (36) and Mitchell Marsh’s 81 (48)**. In response, KKR fought hard but fell short at 234/7 despite Ajinkya Rahane’s 61 (35) and Rinku Singh’s late heroics (38 off 15)* .
Key Moments from the Match
- KKR’s Powerplay Blitz (90/1 in 6 overs) – Sunil Narine (30 off 13) and Rahane set a fiery start.
- LSG’s Middle-Overs Dominance – Pooran’s explosive hitting (8 sixes) took LSG past 230.
- KKR’s Collapse (5/23 in 4 overs) – After Rahane’s dismissal, KKR lost quick wickets.
- Rinku Singh’s Late Charge – His 38* off 15 nearly stole the game.
- LSG’s Smart Bowling Changes – Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan held their nerve in the death overs.
Final Verdict: A last-over thriller where LSG’s batting firepower outshone KKR’s chase.
Player Performances: Who Stood Out?
The KKR vs LSG clash witnessed some stellar individual performances, with Nicholas Pooran (87 off 36 balls)* stealing the show with his explosive hitting, including 8 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 241.66. Mitchell Marsh (81 off 48) provided the perfect support with a composed yet aggressive knock, while Ajinkya Rahane (61 off 35) led KKR’s charge with a fluent innings.
Rinku Singh (38 off 15)* nearly pulled off another miraculous finish with his trademark late fireworks, proving why he’s one of the most dangerous finishers in the league. On the bowling front, Shardul Thakur (2/52) claimed crucial wickets, including Rahane and Andre Russell to tilt the game in LSG’s favor during the middle overs.
These standout performances not only defined the match but also highlighted why these players are considered match-winners in the T20 format.
Top Performers of the Match
| Player | Team | Runs/Bowling Figures | Impact |
| Nicholas Pooran | LSG | 87* (36) | 8 sixes, 241.66 SR |
| Mitchell Marsh | LSG | 81 (48) | 168.75 SR, 6 fours |
| Ajinkya Rahane | KKR | 61 (35) | 174.28 SR, 8 fours |
| Rinku Singh | KKR | 38* (15) | 253.33 SR, 6 fours |
| Shardul Thakur | LSG | 2/52 | Key wickets of Rahane & Russell |
- Pooran’s Six-Hitting Masterclass – Dominated KKR’s spinners.
- Marsh’s Consistency – Fourth fifty in IPL 2025.
- Rahane’s Aggressive Batting – Led KKR’s chase with a quickfire 61.
- Rinku’s Finishing Touch – Almost pulled off another miracle.
- LSG’s Bowling Depth – Despite leaking runs, they took crucial wickets .
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The Eden Gardens pitch for the KKR vs LSG IPL 2025 clash was a batting-friendly surface with an average first-innings score of 191/7 in T20s since 2023, featuring short boundaries (57m on one side) that favored power-hitters like Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh .
While pacers found some early swing, spinners gained grip as the game progressed with Varun Chakaravarthy expected to play a key role .
The weather was hot and humid (33°C at start, dropping to 28°C), with 68% humidity and minimal rain interference, though dew was a minor factor in the second innings . The toss-winning captain (Ajinkya Rahane) chose to bowl first, anticipating a high-scoring contest.
Eden Gardens Pitch Analysis
- Batting-Friendly Surface – Avg. 1st innings score: 191 (since IPL 2023).
- Short Boundaries (57m on one side) – Favored big hitters like Pooran and Marsh.
- Dew Factor – Minimal impact (day game), but spinners got some grip early .
Weather Impact
- Temperature: 33°C (start) → 28°C (end).
- Humidity: 68%, making bowling tough in the heat.
- No Rain Interruptions – Clear skies ensured a full 40-over thriller .
Verdict: A true T20 belter where batters dominated, but spinners had a role in middle overs.
Head-to-Head Stats & Records
The KKR vs LSG head-to-head record in the IPL reveals a closely contested rivalry, with LSG leading 3-2 in their five encounters so far . While LSG dominated early with three consecutive wins, KKR fought back with victories in their last two meetings, including a dominant 8-wicket win in 2024 where they chased down 162 with 26 balls to spare .
At Eden Gardens, the record is evenly split (1-1), with LSG defending 176 in a 1-run thriller in 2023, followed by KKR’s emphatic chase in 2024 .
Key performers include Quinton de Kock (228 runs for LSG) and Sunil Narine (131 runs, 11 sixes for KKR), while bowlers like Mohsin Khan (6 wickets for LSG) and Varun Chakravarthy (5 wickets for KKR) have been pivotal . With both teams boasting strong recent form KKR winning 11 of their last 15 matches (73% win rate) and LSG at 50% (7 wins in 14) the stage is set for another high-stakes clash.
KKR vs LSG IPL History
| Stat | KKR | LSG |
| Total Matches | 5 | 5 |
| Wins | 2 | 3 |
| Highest Score | 210 | 238 |
| Lowest Score | 108 | 161 |
| Last 5 Results | LSG won 3-2 |
Key Records from This Match
- LSG’s 2nd Highest IPL Total (238/3)
- KKR’s Highest Chase Fail (234/7)
- Pooran’s Best IPL Knock (87 @ 241.66 SR)*
Trend: LSG has dominated KKR in close finishes, winning 3 of 5 encounters by <6 runs.
Fantasy Cricket & Dream11 Insights
The Eden Gardens pitch (average 1st inn score: 191) suggests stacking your team with power-hitters, while including at least one specialist spinner like Ravi Bishnoi (economy 6.8 at this venue) could provide balance to your fantasy lineup.
Best Dream11 Picks for KKR vs LSG
Captain/Vice-Captain Choices:
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG) – 92.15 batting impact.
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG) – 77.21 batting impact.
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR) – Top scorer for KKR.
Differential Picks:
- Rinku Singh (KKR) – High-risk, high-reward finisher.
- Digvesh Rathi (LSG) – Emerging player with economical spells.
Avoid:
- Andre Russell (KKR) – Only 16 balls faced in IPL 2025.
- Ravi Bishnoi (LSG) – Expensive (Econ: 11.75)
Pro Tip: Stack LSG batters (Pooran, Marsh, Markram) + KKR openers (Narine, Rahane).
Post-Match Reactions & Analysis
LSG captain Rishabh Pant praised his team’s “clinical batting display” but admitted their bowling nearly cost them the game, saying, “We got 20 runs extra but still made it nervous at the end.” KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer rued the middle-order collapse, stating “Rinku’s heroics showed what could’ve been if we had wickets in hand.”
Experts highlighted Pooran’s calculated aggression (targeting KKR’s 5th bowler) and KKR’s death bowling woes (16.8 economy in last 4 overs) as key turning points in LSG’s narrow 4-run victory.
What Captains Said
- Rishabh Pant (LSG):
- “We slowed the game down to break KKR’s momentum.”
- “Pooran and Marsh were exceptional.”
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR):
- “We fought hard but fell short by 4 runs.”
- “Pitch was great, but we lost wickets at crucial stages.”
Expert Takeaways
- LSG’s Batting Depth – Top 3 (Marsh, Markram, Pooran) are in red-hot form
- KKR’s Middle-Order Collapse – Needed Russell or Iyer to stay longer
- Tactical Battle – Pant’s captaincy outsmarted Rahane in crunch moments.
Final Thought: A classic IPL thriller that showcased power-hitting, smart bowling, and nerve-wracking finishes.
Final Scorecard Summary
| Team | Runs | Overs | Result |
| Lucknow SuperGiants | 238/3 | 20 | Won by 4 runs |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 234/7 | 20 | – |
Player of the Match: Nicholas Pooran (87 off 36)*
Where to Watch Replay?
- Hotstar/JioCinema (India)
- ESPNcricinfo (Highlights)
Conclusion
The KKR vs LSG IPL 2025 clash was a run-fest with a dramatic finish, proving why T20 cricket is so unpredictable. LSG’s top-order firepower and KKR’s aggressive chase made it a must-watch encounter.