IPL 2024: KKR claim their first-ever win over LSG
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Lucknow Super Giants in Match 28 of the 2024 Indian Premier League season at Eden Gardens. The Knight Riders successfully chased down 162 to claim their first-ever win against LSG in the cash-rich league. Philip Salt and Shreyas Iyer added a century-plus stand to give KKR an eight-wicket win. Earlier, Mitchell Starc's three-wicket haul put the Knight Riders ahead.
A look at the match summary
Batting first, LSG had a decent start but lost Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda in the Powerplay. Although KL Rahul and Ayush Badoni steadied the ship, the scoring rate plunged. LSG were 111/5 before Nicholas Pooran's (45) drove them (161/6). KKR, after losing Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi early, rode on the Salt-Iyer stand. They took KKR home in 15.4 overs.
A stellar three-fer from Starc
Starc once again had a forgettable start as he conceded 18 runs in his first two overs. Notably, 10 of these runs came in the innings' first over. However, KKR skipper Iyer backed Starc and gave him another over, which produced Hooda's wicket. Starc then bowled the final over, dismissing Arshad Khan and Nicholas Pooran. He conceded 28 runs in four overs.
Fifth Indian with 300 T20 sixes
LSG skipper Rahul had a fine start but couldn't convert it into a big score. He eventually smashed a 27-ball 39 (3 fours and 2 sixes). However, with his cameo, Rahul became the fifth Indian to complete 300 maximums in T20 cricket. Among Indians, only Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina are ahead in this regard.
KKR's milestone win
As mentioned, KKR have claimed their first-ever IPL win against LSG. The Super Giants, who made their IPL debut in IPL 2022, played only three matches against KKR before this match. Notably, LSG crossed the line in every game.
Pooran, LSG's top scorer
Pooran, who has been in sublime form, showed his class against the Knight Riders. He was LSG's top scorer in the match. Pooran slammed an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls (2 fours and 4 sixes). As of now, Pooran has racked up 223 runs at an average of 74.33 in IPL 2024. He has been striking at 161.59.
A look at other notable numbers
Pooran and Iyer shared a 120*-run stand, now the second-highest against LSG in the IPL for any wicket. KKR's was the sixth successive win for the chasing team in a day game at Eden Gardens. KKR won the match by 26 balls, the third-most remaining in a successful 160+ run-chase for them, as per Cricbuzz.
Salt smashes a fiery 89*
Salt finished with a 47-ball 89* (14 fours and 3 sixes), scripting KKR's win. It was his fourth IPL fifty. Having played five matches this season, the Englisham owns 191 runs at 47.75 (SR: 159.16). Overall, Salt has now raced past 400 runs (409) from 14 matches at 34.08. Salt owns 5,499 runs in T20 cricket. He averages 26.31 (50s: 34, 100s: 2).