Almost a bad trip for LSG

LSG's openers, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, wasted no time taking full advantage of a belter of a track at Eden Gardens

- ARINDAM BASU

KOLKATA: In a match that saw over 400 runs scored, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) toppled Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) applecart in their backyard, winning by just four runs in a cliffhanger at Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.

Chasing LSG's 238/3, KKR folded up for 234/7 despite Rinku Singh's last-minute heroics of an unbeaten 38 off 15 balls that saw the home team finish agonisingly close.

Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl first on what appeared to be a flat batting track. LSG's openers, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, wasted no time taking advantage of the conditions.

Under the blazing afternoon sun, the pair launched a ruthless assault on KKR's bowling attack. Markram began by dispatching anything short or on his legs, while Marsh was clinical with his cuts, sweeps and straight drives. Spencer's two-over opening spell cost 30 runs, and Rana was taken apart for 16 in a single over. LSG raced to 50 in just 5.2 overs and reached 95 without loss at the halfway mark.