Cricket News Indian Premier League 2024

'Haalat tight hogayi' - Fans react as LSG defeat KKR by barest margin of 1 run to qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs

LSG defeated KKR by the barest margin of 1 run to book the 3rd spot in the playoffs. Here is how fans reacted.

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LSG (Source: Twitter)

LSG LSG (Source: Twitter)

With the battle for the playoffs getting intense, Kolkata Knight Riders hosted Lucknow Super Giants in the 68th match of the Indian Premier League 2023. LSG had a crucial match at Eden Gardens that held significant importance, as emerging victorious would secure them a direct pathway to the playoffs.

Having won the toss, the home team opted to field first on a decent pitch. This strategic choice proved to be highly beneficial as they effectively contained the Super Giants in the initial stages. Despite a solid 41-run partnership for the second wicket by Quinton de Kock and Prerak Mankad, the visiting team exhibited commendable bowling skills.

They got wickets in quick succession as nobody could get into their 30s in the innings. Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, and Ayush Badoni all failed to perform. However, Nicholas Pooran, with his brilliant knock of 58 runs in 30 balls, got the team back into the action.

Lucknow eventually scored 176/8 in their allocated 20 overs in the first inning. Vaibhav Arora, Shardul Thakur, and Sunil Narine each claimed two wickets for the Knight Riders, while Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy each took one.

KKR show no intent in their chase

In the chase, Jason Roy and Venkatesh Iyer got the Men in Purple off to a flying start with their 61-run opening stand. However, the LSG spinners immediately gained control, sending the top order back to the dugout. Iyer (24) was the first to go, followed by Nitish Rana and Jason Roy (45).

The wickets kept tumbling for Kolkata as only Rinku Singh stuck around. The young batting wonder fought on and completed his mesmerising half-century in the match. Because of his efforts, the equation was reduced to 21 runs needed in the final six balls. He was not, however, on strike for the last over.

Vaibhav Arora took a single on the first ball to give him the strike, and Rinku made the most of it. However, it was not enough for the team. Yash Thakur conceded two sixes and four in the over. In the end, LSG defeated KKR by the barest margin of 1 run to book the 3rd spot in the playoffs.

Here is how Fans reacted to LSG qualifying for the playoffs

Indian Premier League Kolkata Knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants