IPL 2022 | KKR vs LSG | Relentless Super Giants hunt down chaotic Knights

Match 53 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 saw Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) go head-to-head in a one-sided affair at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. It was the former who dominated throughout, with the latter suffering a drubbing, losing a must-win encounter by 75 runs. 

Opting to bowl first, KKR got a lucky reprieve as the in-form LSG skipper KL Rahul fell for a diamond duck, courtesy of a brain-fade run-out induced from opening partner Quinton de Kock. After that, QDK redeemed himself by taking the attack to the opposition bowlers and scoring a quick-fire half-century. 

While the South African was going hammer and tongs, Deepak Hooda did not hold himself back and joined De Kock in the run-spree, matching his partner shot-for-shot.

As soon as Hooda got dismissed by Andre Russell, it was all downhill for LSG. The side at one stage could have easily crossed 190 but had to end up with a score of 176. That too, because of special efforts from Marcus Stoinis and Jason Holder. The overseas duo led a blitz at the death and provided the final flourish. 

Although Shreyas Iyer and Co. did well to restrict LSG to 176 runs, their batters lacked motivation and came to bat in the second innings with their shoulders down. LSG's pace quartet of Mohsin Khan, Dushmantha Chameera, Jason Holder and Avesh Khan delivered the goods with the new ball, running past KKR's top-order, including Baba Indrajith, Aaron Finch, Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana, before the completion of the seventh over.

With the score reading at 25/4, Russell, in his typical style, smashed the bowlers all over the park and did manage to create some excitement to the chase. But after Avesh led to him being caught at the third-man region, it was all but over for KKR as the team eventually lost the match by a whopping margin of 75 runs, getting bundled out for a paltry 101. 

With this defeat, KKR's playoff hopes have been shattered, with the possibility of reaching just 14 points and a dismal Net Run-Rate adding to their woes. On the other hand, LSG, with this thumping win, shot to the top of the points table. 

For his match-winning figures of 3-19, Avesh Khan was handed the 'Player of the Match' award.

Brief scores:

Lucknow Super Giants - 176/7 (20)

Quinton de Kock 50(29), Deepak Hooda 41(27);

Andre Russell 2-22 (3), Sunil Narine 1-20 (4)

Kolkata Knight Riders - 101/10 (14.3)

Andre Russell 45(19), Sunil Narine 22(12);

Avesh Khan 3-19 (3), Jason Holder 3-31 (2.3)

Lucknow Super Giants won by 75 runs.