Kolkata: Reignited by a crushing 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will aim to consolidate their form when they face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.
After a stuttering start to their campaign, KKR's emphatic win at home not only lifted them to fifth on the points table but also revived belief in a side that had looked short of rhythm in earlier games. Their net run rate, once in the negative, now stands at +0.070—an indication of their resurgence as serious contenders in this season’s competition.
At the heart of KKR’s revival is their well-balanced bowling unit, particularly the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, who choked SRH’s chase with precision on a slow surface. Their eight overs will once again be the focal point when they take on a Lucknow side that has been inconsistent with the bat.
Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive 60 off 29 and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s composed 50 against SRH gave KKR’s batting order a much-needed shot of confidence. With captain Ajinkya Rahane anchoring the top order and Rinku Singh closing out games, the team appears to have found a strong core. Openers are yet to fire, but stability at No. 3 and 4 has eased some of that pressure.
Meanwhile, LSG are coming off a narrow 12-run win against Mumbai Indians and are placed sixth on the table. While Nicholas Pooran remains their most consistent batsman this season with 201 runs at a stunning strike rate of 218.47, the rest of the batting order has yet to click in unison. Mitchell Marsh’s fifty in the last outing offers encouragement, but the continued poor form of Rishabh Pant and David Miller is a concern.
On the bowling front, Shardul Thakur has been among the wickets for LSG, but his economy remains a worry. Ravi Bishnoi and young Digvesh Singh Rathi will have key roles to play, especially in the middle overs.
With Eden Gardens offering a pitch that suits spinners and rewards patient strokeplay, Tuesday’s clash is likely to be shaped by how well each team navigates the middle overs. Weather conditions are expected to be dry with mild humidity in the evening.
Having beaten LSG in both fixtures during IPL 2024, and with momentum now on their side, KKR enter this clash as favourites—poised to build on their rejuvenation in front of a passionate home crowd.
