In the 54th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Lucknow Super Giants faced off against the Kolkata Knight Riders (LSG vs KKR) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
The match took place on May 5, 2024, and it turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Let check out LSG vs KKR head to head in the IPL.
LSG vs KKR: Head-To-Head in IPL
4 matches played between the LSG vs KKR. Lucknow Super Giants has won 3 matches while Kolkata Knight Riders has won 1 match.
Toss Moment
LSG won the toss and elected to field first. They hoped to restrict KKR’s batting lineup and chase down the target later.
“We will field. Just that we enjoy chasing not going deep into the wicket aspect. We have adapted well and there have been some amazing individual performances from the boys. There’s been a lot of talk about strike-rate, and T20 cricket has changed a lot in the last couple of years. Yash Thakur comes in for Mayank Yadav.”
KL Rahul, LSG Skipper
“We would have bowled too. Defending that score with five bowlers in the last game gave us a lot of confidence. There’s a lot of self-belief in the camp, especially after the last game. We go unchanged. Hopefully, we continue with the same form.”
Shreyas Iyer, KKR Skipper
LSG vs KKR: First Innings
Kolkata Knight Riders Batting
Sunil Narine was the star of KKR’s innings. He blazed his way to 81 runs off just 39 balls, smashing seven sixes and six fours.
Phil Salt (32), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (32), and Shreyas Iyer (23) also contributed with aggressive batting.
KKR posted an imposing total of 235/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Lucknow Super Giants Bowling
Naveen-ul-haq was the pick of the LSG bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 49 runs. He dismissed Phil Salt, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh.
Captain Yudhvir Singh (substitute) chipped in with 1 wicket for 24 runs, accounting for Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Ravi Bishnoi also claimed a wicket, sending Sunil Narine back to the pavilion.
KKR’s total of 235 set a daunting target for LSG. The required run rate was steep from the start.
LSG’s innings never gained momentum. They managed only 137 runs, losing all their wickets in just 16.1 overs.
LSG vs KKR: Second Innings
Lucknow Super Giants Batting
KL Rahul (25) and Marcus Stoinis (36) tried to stabilize the innings, but the required run rate kept climbing. LSG’s middle order faltered, and they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Kolkata Knight Riders Bowling
Harshit Rana led the bowling attack for KKR, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. He dismissed KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya, and Ravi Bishnoi.
Varun Chakaravarthy (3/30) and Andre Russell (2/17) also contributed significantly. Sunil Narine (1/22) and Mitchell Starc (1/22) completed the bowling effort.
KKR won the match by a whopping 98-run margin, showcasing their dominance in both batting and bowling.
Man of the Match
Sunil Narine’s explosive innings with the bat and crucial wicket with the ball earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match award.
“It is very important to begin well. The support staff has been amazing with the support. I think you have to pick your strengths and pick your spots, sometimes it works out and at times it does not. Chakaravarthy is picking up wickets, it’s making my job easier to keep things tight. Glad to see him perform well. The boys are anxious and eager to play, so no matter what the situation is they are contributing for us.”
Sunil Narine, KKR
KKR’s comprehensive victory pushed LSG out of the top four in the IPL standings. The match highlighted KKR’s all-round prowess and set the stage for an exciting playoff race.