LSG vs KKR, 21st Match at Kolkata, IPL, Apr 08 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

7.45pm Right then, what a match! 238 plays 234! That indeed is all the action from the Eden Gardens (and if you need a recap of what happened, head over to Ekanth's report). However, worry not, there is plenty more IPL action in store for you at the Chepauk, where CSK are taking on Punjab Kings. From Kolkata, it's Abhimanyu signing off on behalf of Ekanth, Vairavan and everybody else at ESPNcricinfo.

7.40pm Time for the presentation ceremony.

Nicholas Pooran: "[On his six-hitting] I've been asked this a million times. I practice a lot. Everything you're seeing in the game, it's because of the practice. At the moment it's just flowing really nicely. YOu understand what's needed in a game. Guys are bowling full and wide, short balls, spinners are bowling straight. So you work on that. [On the opening stand] Through the tournament Eden and Mitch have been brilliant for us. They're batting so good in partnerships. They are dropping their egos and playing the situation. And I am really happy with how we are doing as a batting unit. [On his role at No. 3] The role is just to get a start and carry on capitalising on my match-ups. I've been scoring consistently now and as the opportunity continues to present itself, I want to enjoy it".

Rishabh Pant: "I think when we batted we didn't realise but after the powerplay we knew it would be really close. After the first powerplay, we spoke with the bowlers about sticking to the plan and not trying to do too much. [On slowing the game down] Definitely it was a conscious decision because when the game is running at that pace, you have to slow it down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I am happy it worked today. [On Samad at No. 4] I think [left-right combination] was the idea, given the spinners they had."

7.35pm So much to digest in this game! The start from Marsh and Markram, Pooran turning on destruction mode and LSG getting their second-highest IPL score. And then, KKR almost putting on a clinic in how to chase big totals. And in fact, even if they did fall just short in the end, it was a great approach, and on another day they could have been celebrating back-to-back home wins. Narine and Rahane bossed the powerplay, before Digvesh Rathi got his idol out. Rahane kept going with Venkatesh Iyer as KKR consistently scored faster than the required rate. But then, LSG sucked the momentum out of the chasing side with four overs that returned four key wickets. Rinku Singh nearly pulled off another miraculous chase in the end, but LSG continue their momentum with their first consecutive set of wins. A word as well for Avesh Khan, who executed his yorkers brilliantly despite going for runs in his first over.

Aiden Markram: "Yeah it was a good one. It was great to watch Marsh and Pooran do their thing and get a good score on the board. Thought the pitch was a little slow to start with but got better as the game went on. In the powerplay you look to take the game on, and play with positive intent. [On his bond with Marsh] In the middle and off the park as well, we have a great bond. And we've started to get some momentum in the field as well. Two really big wins against two really quality teams."

Ajinkya Rahane: "A really tight one. As I said at the toss, the wicket would remain very good. No complaints, in the end we fought hard but just four runs short. See when you're chasing 230-plus you are bound to lose wickets, that's completely normal. The intent and how everyone played was amazing. If batters took a little bit of time, it was a great wicket to bat on. Varun and Sunil normally dominate the middle overs, but today Sunil was travelling. It was tough for the bowlers."

SACHIN: "Dont really understand the tactics of sending others before Rinku singh and Russel.. the difference as it is of only 1 more good hit which either of this two could have hit.."

7.25PM Yesterday, Mumbai Indians nearly won a match from a situation where they looked down and out, but the total proved to be too much. Today, KKR faced a steeper chase but looked well in control for the longest time, before four wickets in four overs saw the wheels come off. We have seen some exceptional batsmanship today, a bizarre over with five consecutive wides, two wickets off full tosses, and a close finish, and in the end Pooran and Marsh trump Rahane and co.

Three sixes for a Super Over!

Can Ravi Bishnoi defend 24 off the last over? This is eerily similar to last night!

Avesh to bowl the penultimate over. He's been so good today

38 needed off the last two. Rinku Singh was the man responsible for pulling off KKR's highest ever run chase in the IPL. Can he do the needful today?

Rathi to bowl out

And Namooh Shah brings up this nice H2H stat:

Andre Russell vs Shardul Thakur

Runs: 54 SR: 270 Outs: 4

KKR's win % was 70.81 before Ajinkya Rahane got out. Came down to 21.99 % with Andre Russell's wicket, informs Sampath