In a thrilling encounter at Eden Gardens, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) emerged victorious by a narrow margin of just 1 run against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 68 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. With the win, LSG became the third team after Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to secure the qualification berth.
Put to bat first, the Super Giants posted a competitive total of 176 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Nicholas Pooran played a blistering innings, smashing 58 runs off just 30 deliveries, including 4 fours and 5 sixes. Prerak Mankad (26) and Quinton de Kock (28) also made valuable contributions with the bat.
In the chase of 177, the Knight Riders fell agonisingly short as they managed to score 175 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs. Rinku Singh played a heroic knock, scoring 67 runs off just 33 deliveries, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. Jason Roy (45) also made valuable contributions to the teamโs total.
For the Super Giants, Ravi Bishnoi and Yash Thakur claimed 2 wickets each, while Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham picked up 1 wicket each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
.@nicholas_47 smashed right from the word go in his match-winning 58(30) ๐๐ป๐๐ป
He receives the Player of the Match award in #LSG‘s narrow 1-run victory ๐๐ป๐๐ป
Scorecard โถ๏ธ https://t.co/7X1uv1mCyL #TATAIPL | #KKRvLSG pic.twitter.com/ZChGj2mO29
โ IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 20, 2023
Congrats to @LucknowIPL for securing a spot in the playoffs! ๐ฅ A massive shoutout to the talented @rinkusingh235 for his outstanding performance not only in today’s match but throughout the season. ๐๐ #IPL2023 #LSGvKKR
โ Suresh Raina๐ฎ๐ณ (@ImRaina) May 20, 2023
Top, top effort, Rinku. @KKRiders, weโll be back stronger ๐ pic.twitter.com/ACy1dLpENc
โ Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) May 20, 2023
Champions never give up ..@rinkusingh235 you beauty !!!
โ Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) May 20, 2023
What a knock by @rinkusingh235, deserves to be on the winning side. Congratulations @LucknowIPL on securing the playoffs spot. #IPL2O23 #KKRvLSG
โ Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) May 20, 2023
Said it earlier. Will say it again. Rinku has been the most impressive finisher in this IPL. Couldnโt finish it tonightโฆbut it was only because of him that KKR came so close. Calmness to choose the right options and executing them wellโฆunder immense pressure is incredible.
โ Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 20, 2023
.@rinkusingh235 you beauty!! Almost did it again!! Just outstanding from this beast!! ๐๐พ Credit to top performances from Bishnoi, @gowthamyadav88 & Yash and the fiery innings of @nicholas_47 to take @LucknowIPL to the playoffs!! Great captaincy from @krunalpandya24! #KKRvLSG
โ Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) May 20, 2023
เคเค เคนเฅ เคคเฅ เคฆเคฟเคฒ เคนเฅ เคเคฟเคคเคจเฅ เคฌเคพเคฐ เคเฅเคคเฅเคเฅ @rinkusingh235 เฅค เคคเฅเคฏเคพเคฐ เคนเฅ เคฏเคน เคเคจเคพเคฌ เคญเคพเคฐเคค ๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅ เคเฅเคฎ เคเฅ เคฒเคฟเคฏเฅ เฅค เคเฅเค เคถเค ? เคเฅเคฏเคพ เคฌเฅเคฒเคคเฅ เคชเคฌเฅเคฒเคฟเค @IPL @KKRiders ๐ pic.twitter.com/lTZDabNTs6
โ Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 20, 2023
2022 IPL
LSG beat KKR by 2 runs.
As a result of this match, LSG qualify to playoffs and KKR eliminated.2023 IPL
LSG beat KKR by 1 run.
As a result of this match, LSG qualify to playoffs and KKR eliminated.โ Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) May 20, 2023
Most runs batting at No.5 and lower in an IPL season:
474 โ RINKU, 2023 (Ave 59.25, SR 149.52)
472 โ D Karthik, 2018 (47.20 & 149.84)
436 โ Miller, 2022 (87.49 & 146.64)
419 โ Pollard, 2013 (46.55 & 150.71)
406 โ Russell, 2019 (50.75 & 208.20)#Rinku pic.twitter.com/C26J0bh7yjโ Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 20, 2023
This story. THIS STORY! ๐ pic.twitter.com/sXQCknRfIn
โ KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 20, 2023
A valiant effort from Rinku Singh but we have three spots filled up in the Playoffs line-up with @ChennaiIPL and @LucknowIPL winning their games tonight. We’ll have to wait for the Super Sunday tomorrow to see who takes the fourth spot. Which team are you backing? #IPL2023โฆ pic.twitter.com/QEd1f8JuZH
โ Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 20, 2023
Rinku Singh’s 110 meter six aganist Naveen.
What a hit. pic.twitter.com/1MgiE4pJXX
โ Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 20, 2023
2022 IPL
LSG beat KKR by 2 runs.
As a result of this match, LSG qualify to playoffs and KKR eliminated.2023 IPL
LSG beat KKR by 1 run.
As a result of this match, LSG qualify to playoffs and KKR eliminated.โ Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) May 20, 2023
Rinku Singh โ what a fine batter. Kudos to @KKRiders for backing Rinku since 2018. He has excelled as a finisher. Has got big runs for UP in FC cricket. Hope to see Rinku batting higher up in the order for KKR in the next season
โ Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 20, 2023
Mubarak Lucknow @LucknowIPL
The two new teams have penchant for consistency #LSGvKKRโ Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 20, 2023
