IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants, Match 68 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Playing a must-win match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 68 of IPL 2023, Lucknow Super Giants got away with a one-run victory to seal their playoffs berth. LSG batted first in the match held at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens and following their narrow victory, they have booked for themselves a berth in the Eliminator, scheduled to be played in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24.

Batting first, LSG put up 176 runs on the board to which, KKR fell short by one run, despite Rinku Singh's valiant efforts. Earlier, Nicholas Pooran's firepower had ensured a competitive total for LSG.

Let's look at the Talking Points from today's game - 

Nicholas Pooran powers LSG to a battling total with a fearsome half-century

As LSG found themselves reeling at a score of 73/5 after 10 overs, Nicholas Pooran took control of the proceedings and initiated a carnage, taking the KKR bowlers to the cleaners. He stitched a crucial 74-run partnership for the sixth wicket with youngster Ayush Badoni to bail LSG out of trouble.

Pooran went on to hammer 58 runs from 30 balls, courtesy of four fours and five sixes. He finally fell prey to Shardul Thakur in the penultimate over. 

Rinku Singh's heroics fail to save KKR but strengthens his case for an India call-up

Rinku Singh culminated his brilliant run in the ongoing tournament with another scintillating performance against LSG, despite his failure to take the team home. Rinku powered a 33-ball 67-run knock and almost took KKR over the line, failing at the end by just one run. He stood tall as the lone warrior for KKR as none of the other batters, except Jason Roy, could put up a show.

Rinku's innings was brought up at a strike rate of 203.03, with the help of six fours and four sixes. His dreamy run in the ongoing season has strengthened his case to soon make a team India debut.

Jason Roy's brilliance up the order helps KKR get off to a flying start

Chasing a target of 176, KKR got off to a flying start as Jason Roy and Venkatesh Iyer fired up the order to put LSG on the backfoot. Roy slammed seven fours and one six to notch up 45 runs off just 28 balls.

Iyer, on the other hand, brought up 24 runs off 15 balls, with the help of three fours and one six. While Iyer fell to Krishnappa Gowtham in the sixth over, Roy was clean bowled by Krunal Pandya in the 10th over.

Losing Captain, Nitish Rana said - 

The result didn't go in our favour, but plenty of positives to take from this season and lots to improve as well. Will come back stronger next season. You need to do well in all three departments to compete and finish in the top 4 in the world's best league. I feel bad because we had the ability to qualify in the top four and we will work on mistakes and come back better next season. Feels like all 14 matches, I've spoken about Rinku. I am personally very happy for him (Rinku) and I don't really have words to describe about him because the entire world has seen what he can do on a cricket field.

Winning Captain, Krunal Pandya said -

First reaction is satisfaction. We never gave up, we were put under lot of pressure but credit to the boys. At one stage, they were 61/1 but I've seen it before that at this level 2-3 tight overs and we're in the game. And there was some grip for the spinners as well. Rinku has been special this year, every game when he's there you can't take it easy. Today he showed it again, but it is a high pressure situation while bowling death overs to execute our plans. I was talking to my bowlers after each ball, I asked them to execute their plans, if after that the batter plays a good shot there's nothing we can do. (On decision to bowl Yash Thakur for 20th over) I go with my gut, last game there was some reverse swing so I went with Mohsin. Today I went with Yash because the pitch was slow and he was confident after a couple of good overs.

Player of the Match, Nicholas Pooran said -

I knew I had to take it as deep as possible. When the spinners were bowling, I knew they'll give me bad balls and this was a small pitch. I've been batting well throughout the tournament, and I pride myself to play in such situations. The time has invested heavily in me and these are the ways that I can repay them. Ayush (Badoni) and I had that partnership against Chennai as well. I was confident batting with him at the crease. I think it is impressive that our bowlers are standing up to the challenge, they have done it in the last two games. We have a young bowling attack and to come to Eden Gardens and defend that kind of total was amazing.