KKN Gurugram Desk | The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 brings an exciting double-header today, with the first clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This 21st match of the season sees both teams aiming to strengthen their positions on the points table. KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, has won the toss and elected to field first.

Toss and Team Changes

• Toss Outcome: KKR won the toss and opted to bowl first, considering the pitch conditions and the shorter boundary on one side.

• Team Changes:

  • Kolkata Knight Riders: One change – Spencer Johnson replaces Moeen Ali.

  • Lucknow Super Giants: No changes to their playing XI.

Playing XIs

Kolkata Knight Riders:

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)

2. Sunil Narine

3. Ajinkya Rahane (c)

4. Venkatesh Iyer

5. Rinku Singh

6. Andre Russell

7. Ramandeep Singh

8. Vaibhav Arora

9. Spencer Johnson

10. Harshit Rana

11. Varun Chakaravarthy

Lucknow Super Giants:

1. Mitchell Marsh

2. Aiden Markram

3. Nicholas Pooran

4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk)

5. Ayush Badoni

6. David Miller

7. Abdul Samad

8. Shardul Thakur

9. Akash Deep

10. Avesh Khan

11. Digvesh Rathi

Match Progression

First Innings: Lucknow Super Giants Batting

• Opening Partnership: Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram opened for LSG, providing a steady start. After 3 overs, LSG stood at 20/0, with Vaibhav Arora delivering economical overs.

• Acceleration: In the 2nd over, bowled by Spencer Johnson, Markram hit a boundary, followed by a massive 95-meter six from Marsh, adding 12 runs in that over.

• Powerplay Performance: By the end of the 5th over, LSG reached 43/0, with Markram on 28 off 16 balls and Marsh on 13 off 14 balls.

Key Player Performances

• Aiden Markram: Demonstrated aggressive intent, especially targeting Spencer Johnson, accumulating boundaries and a six in quick succession.

• Mitchell Marsh: Provided solid support, rotating the strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries.

• Vaibhav Arora: Maintained tight lines, restricting the openers in his initial overs.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

• Pitch Report: The Eden Gardens pitch is a fresh surface with a slight green tinge, expected to assist spinners as the match progresses. The shorter boundary on one side (57 meters) may influence batting strategies.

• Weather Forecast: The temperature at match start was around 33°C, with intermittent clouds and minimal chances of rain.

Head-to-Head Record

Prior to this match, KKR and LSG had faced each other five times in the IPL, with LSG leading the head-to-head 3-2. Their last encounter in May 2024 saw KKR securing a commanding 98-run victory.

Points Table Standings Before the Match

• Kolkata Knight Riders: Positioned 5th with 2 wins and 2 losses.

• Lucknow Super Giants: Positioned 6th with an identical record of 2 wins and 2 losses.

Captains’ Comments at the Toss

• Ajinkya Rahane (KKR): Emphasized the decision to bowl first was influenced by pitch conditions and boundary dimensions. Expressed confidence in the team’s composition despite recent discussions about player performances.

• Rishabh Pant (LSG): Acknowledged the team’s balanced performance and chose to retain the same playing XI, focusing on building consistency.

Key Battles to Watch

• Sunil Narine vs. Digvesh Rathi: An intriguing contest between KKR’s seasoned spinner and LSG’s emerging talent, both known for their spin prowess.

• Rishabh Pant’s Form: The LSG captain’s performance has been under scrutiny, and his innings could be pivotal for the team’s success.

Impact Substitutes List

• Kolkata Knight Riders: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia.

• Lucknow Super Giants: Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh.

As the match unfolds, both teams aim to leverage their strengths to gain an upper hand. KKR’s strategy to bowl first reflects their confidence in chasing, while LSG’s openers have set a solid foundation. The middle overs, especially with spinners coming into play, will be crucial in determining the course of the game. Fans can anticipate a thrilling contest as both sides vie for supremacy in IPL 2025.