Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
In the one-off double-header Tuesday in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are hosting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. While both teams are coming on the back of a win in their respective matches, it was the KKR skipper, Ajinkya Rahane who came out on top in toss battles and invited the visitors to bat first.
This decision of Rahane might have handed some wounds as the opening pair of LSG, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram put up a 99-run stand for the first wicket. However, Harshit Rana cleaned up Markram at the score of 47 in the 11th over, Marsh went up to add 81 runs off 48 deliveries, with his innings cluding six fours and five sixes.
LSG post second highest first innings total in IPL
Although, Marsh was joined by the hard-hitter Nicholas Pooran in the middle, the latter didn’t give any respite to the KKR bowlers, playing a 36-ball 87* run knock. While his innnings included seven fours and eight sixes, the West Indies international reached the fifty-run mark off just 21 deliveries.
Soon after reaching the half-century, which was his third in the tournament so far, he was quick to raise his bat. After this, Pooran also blew a kiss, bringing up stylish celebration once again on the front. His teammates also stood up to acknowledge the top-order batter’s knock, which helped LSG put a competitive score on the board.
Watch Nicholas Pooran’s celebration after his 21-ball 50*:
On the back of Pooran’s quickfire knock, LSG posted 238 runs on the board at the loss of three wickets in the 20 overs. While Pooran played a 36-ball 87*, Mitchell Marsh played a 48-ball 81 along with key contribution from Aiden Markram. Harshit Rana was the pick from the bowlers as he picked two whereas Andre Russell got one in his bag.
