Pooran helps LSG pip KKR in a thrilling match at Eden

LSG conceded 90 in Powerplay but KKR lost 5/33 in middle overs after staying ahead of asking rate

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: It's staggering that in a match which witnessed 70 boundary hits, Lucknow Super Giants scraped through by just one boundary. Even more startling was how Mitchell Marsh's strike rate of 168.75 ended almost as a footnote to Nicholas Pooran's 36-ball 87 (SR 241.66).

To concede 16 wides in a T20 is criminal but LSG lived to tell the tale after Kolkata Knight Riders scuppered a scintillating buildup with some disjointed batting in the final overs. No bowler was spared on a day 472 runs were scored but for Varun Chakravarthy and Digvesh Rathi who bowled the chase-altering 18th over where KKR could only score seven. At a time when they needed at least two boundary hits per over, that break proved to be decisive.

Chasing 238 may seem daunting but for the longest time KKR looked well on top of the innings by staying ahead of the asking rate. Two consecutive reviews against Quinton de Kock underscored the high stakes involved but Sunil Narine more than compensated for his early departure, smashing 30 off 13 balls. Two of his top-edges flew over wide slip before Narine teed off with a six against Shardul Thakur where his bottom hand came off.