Pooran blitz helps LSG edge KKR in high-scoring IPL thriller

KOLKATA, India (CMC):

MAGNIFICENT HALF-CENTURIES from West Indian Nicholas Pooran and Australian Mitchell Marsh helped the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a narrow four-run win over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a thrilling IPL clash at Eden Gardens yesterday.

The left-handed Pooran slammed an explosive unbeaten 87 off 36 balls, while Marsh hammered 81 from 48 balls to power LSG to their second-highest IPL total of 238 for three.

KKR’s chase started strong, with a 90-run powerplay. However, a middle-order collapse derailed their momentum and they could only manage 234 for seven.

After being asked to take the first strike, LSG got a solid start from openers Marsh and Aiden Markram, setting the tone with a 99-run opening stand.

The duo played watchfully against opening bowler Vaibhav Arora but targeted the other end. Spencer Johnson, returning to the 11, leaked 30 from his first two overs, while Harshit Rana conceded 16 in the sixth as LSG ended the Powerplay strongly.

Harshit Rana eventually got the breakthrough when he removed Markram for 47. Pooran then joined Marsh and the pair stepped up a gear, adding 71 runs in just five overs.

Marsh was particularly aggressive against West Indian Sunil Narine, taking the spinner for two fours and a six on his way to his 36-ball fifty.

He would eventually become the second wicket to fall for 81 with the score on 170, as Andre Russell had him caught in the 16th over.

Pooran’s brutal hitting, however, continued, and he blasted his way to a 21-ball fifty and finished unbeaten on 87 off 36 balls with seven fours and eight sixes. The left-hander took a liking to West Indian teammate Russell, smashing the Jamaican for 24 in the 18th over.

After losing Quinton De Kock early for 15, KKR, with the likes of Narine and Ajinkya Rahane, made it clear that they were not going to let up and take the run chase lightly, as the pair blasted their way to a 90-run Powerplay.

Narine was eventually dismissed for 30 by Digvesh Rahti, but Venkatesh Iyer joined Rahane and the pair added 71 for the third wicket.

The dismissal of Rahane for 61 in the 13th over signalled a collapse, as disciplined death bowling from LSG ensured they got over the line, despite 45 from Iyer and 38 not out from Rinku Singh.