IPL 2024, LSG vs KKR, Key Takeaways: Sunil Narine's 81 & bowlers beat LSG in Lucknow. KKR move to the top of the table. Top takeaways for KKR and LSG from the match.
Brief Scores: KKR 235/6 (Sunil Narine 81, Naveen-ul-Haq 3/49) beat LSG 137 (Marcus Stoinis 36, Harshit Rana 3/24) by 98 runs.
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine (81 (39) & 1/22)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) produced a clinical all-round performance to thrash Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 98 runs in Match 54 of IPL 2024 on Sunday. Sunil Narine made 81 to help Kolkata post 235/6 before bowlers bowled out Lucknow for 137. The win has put Kolkata on top of the table with 16 points. The big loss has made Lucknow slip to fifth.
Key Takeaways from LSG vs KKR, Match 54, IPL 2024 - Winning team (KKR)
Narine continues his fine form even away from home
Sunil Narine is having a dream IPL season. As an opener, he has provided great starts for his team and his partner Phil Salt. The clash against Lucknow was no different, as the duo posted an opening stand of 61 runs in 4.2 overs. Narine continued his rich form, striking 39-ball 81 with 6 fours and 7 sixes. He is not doing well at home ground in Eden Gardens and away games. He also has one fifty-and-one ton in Eden Gardens and two fifties in away matches. The most important feature of Narine’s batting is that he has not let any conditions, bowling attack or any bowler’s reputation hinder his attacking game, and it has worked for him so far.
Russell’s crucial blows choke Lucknow
Lucknow were in the game as long as the big hitters Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran were at the crease. However, Andre Russell dismissed them both to end Lucknow’s hopes of making a comeback. Russell took off the ball's pace and bowled fuller and wide, making both these batters fetch for the ball. Eventually, the two Lucknow batters perished, looking to hit out. Stoinis slashed to give an edge to the point while Pooran edged it behind. It was an excellent bowling spell from Russell as these two key wickets helped Kolkata to choke the opponents.
Read More: IPL 2024, KKR vs DC, Key Takeaways: Salt's busy 68, bowlers' effective returns keep KKR at no. 2
Key Takeaways from LSG vs KKR, Match 54, IPL 2024 - Losing team (LSG)
De Kock’s absence hurting Lucknow, Hooda's inconsistent
Lucknow has been hampered by the absence of Quinton de Kock, who missed the match due to injury. He and KL Rahul form a formidable opening pair who can destroy any bowling attack on their day. But with de Kock missing, Rahul has to open with 19-year-old Arshin Kulkarni, but for the second time, the youngster failed to impress. Besides, de Kock could also play anchor and bat through the innings while others played around him. The absence of de Kock has been hurting Lucknow's batting.
Also, the inconsistent batting of key players such as Deepak Hooda has not helped Lucknow either. He looked good when scoring a fifty against Rajasthan Royals, but he has been inconsistent throughout this season.
Statistical Highlights from LSG vs KKR, IPL 2024
With his knock of 81, Sunil Narine has jumped to the third spot in the list of highest run-getters in IPL 2024 behind Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Narine has 461 runs @ 41.90 and a strike rate of 183.66 in 11 games.
235/6 is KKR’s sixth total of 200-plus in IPL 2024. They have also conceded 200-plus total 4 times this season.
Varun Chakravarthy is the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024, with 16 wickets when he took 3/30 against Lucknow.
Harshit Rana produced his best bowling spell in his IPL career when he took 3/24 against Lucknow.
Points Table Scenario & What's Next
The big win has put Kolkata at the top of the table with 16 points and a better net run rate than Rajasthan, which also has 16 points with a game less. Kolkata have won 8 and lost 3 in 11 games so far. Lucknow has suffered a huge blow, with its net run rate taking a jolt. They have slipped a place to fifth with 12 points, having won six games out of 11.
Kolkata will now face Mumbai on May 11, while Lucknow will take on Hyderabad on May 8.
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