Nicholas Pooran stepped onto the pitch with ice in his veins and fire in his bat. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) found themselves in deep trouble against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but Pooran didn’t flinch. He exploded with a match-winning unbeaten 87 off just 36 balls, turning a tense chase into one of the most thrilling victories of the IPL 2025 season. His innings defined power-hitting, timing, and composure under pressure, sealing a dramatic four-run win for LSG.
Kolkata Knight Riders pushed hard until the final over, but Nicholas Pooran’s brilliance outshone their efforts, proving once again why he remains one of the most dangerous finishers in T20 cricket.
KKR Set a Big Target
Kolkata Knight Riders batted first and started aggressively. Phil Salt and Shreyas Iyer provided a strong foundation in the powerplay. Salt hammered boundaries off the new ball and raced to 40 off 20, while Iyer anchored the innings with timely singles and confident strokeplay.
Venkatesh Iyer followed with a well-paced half-century. His straight drives and pick-up shots impressed the crowd and pushed the total closer to the 200-mark. Andre Russell arrived in the final overs and launched three towering sixes to give KKR a strong finish. The Knight Riders closed their innings at 199/6—a daunting target under lights at Ekana Stadium.
LSG bowlers looked helpless during the death overs. Despite early breakthroughs from Ravi Bishnoi and Naveen-ul-Haq, the bowlers failed to contain Russell and Venkatesh. A target of 200 loomed large on the scoreboard, demanding extraordinary performance from the Lucknow batting unit.
LSG’s Top Order Crumbles
KL Rahul opened the chase with Quinton de Kock. Both batters started cautiously, aware of the chase’s magnitude. However, KKR pacers Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana used the pitch well, keeping the ball full and straight. Starc dismissed Rahul early, while Rana trapped de Kock with a perfectly timed slower ball.
Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda attempted to revive the innings, but Sunil Narine struck twice in his spell. LSG slumped to 64/4 in the 9th over. At that moment, defeat looked inevitable.
Nicholas Pooran Takes Charge
Nicholas Pooran walked in when LSG desperately needed a miracle. KKR’s bowlers felt confident, the fielders chirped, and the required run rate kept climbing. Pooran, however, didn’t show nerves. He defended his first few deliveries, gauged the pitch, and then launched a spectacular counterattack.
He chose his targets wisely. Pooran smashed Varun Chakravarthy for a straight six and followed with a reverse-sweep for four. He played Andre Russell’s pace with ease, pulling a bouncer over midwicket and slicing a yorker past point.
The crowd roared with every boundary. Pooran’s timing dazzled. He blended brute force with smart placement. He understood the gaps, manipulated the field, and used the crease like a chessboard.
The Game-Turning Over
With the required run rate climbing past 14, LSG needed a momentum shift. Pooran delivered it in the 16th over. Facing Harshit Rana, he unleashed three sixes in four balls. The first soared over long-off, the second cleared deep square leg, and the third—a no-look flick—landed in the stands behind fine leg.
That over changed the energy of the match. LSG’s dugout jumped with hope. Suddenly, 45 runs needed off four overs seemed within reach.
Finishing with Authority
Pooran never slowed down. Even as wickets fell at the other end, he farmed the strike and maintained pressure on the KKR bowlers. With 12 required off the final over, he pulled Vaibhav Arora for a six and then drove him elegantly through cover for a boundary. LSG crossed the line with a ball to spare, winning the match by four runs through the DLS method due to a brief rain delay.
Pooran remained unbeaten on 87 off 36 balls—an innings that included 8 sixes and 6 fours. His strike rate exceeded 240, and more importantly, his knock carried LSG from the edge of collapse to the peak of glory.
Captain and Coach React
KL Rahul, speaking after the match, praised Pooran’s heroics. “What an innings! He pulled us out from a very difficult situation. That’s what champions do. They believe and deliver,” said Rahul with a beaming smile.
Coach Justin Langer called it “one of the best T20 innings I’ve witnessed live.” He added, “Pooran read the game perfectly. He didn’t panic, stayed focused, and chose his moments. That’s the maturity we’ve worked on with him.”
KKR’s Disappointment
Kolkata Knight Riders felt the sting of defeat. They controlled most of the match and even had LSG on the mat by the 10th over. Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team’s shortcomings during the post-match presentation.
“We failed to close out the final overs. Credit goes to Pooran. He played an exceptional innings. We’ll regroup and come back stronger,” Iyer said.
KKR’s bowlers, especially in the final overs, lost control. Russell and Starc bowled wide and full, but Pooran punished every mistake. Varun Chakravarthy, their trump card, looked ineffective during the middle phase when Pooran took charge.
Fans Celebrate the Madness
Fans inside the stadium screamed Pooran’s name. His 87* became an instant highlight across social media. Cricket lovers shared videos, praised his shot selection, and even compared the innings to legendary T20 finishes.
The hashtag #NicholasPooran trended for hours. International cricketers joined the conversation. AB de Villiers tweeted, “What an absolute masterclass by Nicholas Pooran! Calm under pressure, explosive when needed—T20 at its best.” Chris Gayle wrote, “That’s Caribbean thunder for you!”
Stats and Records
- Pooran recorded the fastest fifty for LSG this season (20 balls).
- His 87* marked the highest score by an LSG finisher in a successful chase.
- LSG registered their highest successful run chase in IPL history (200 target).
- Pooran’s strike rate of 241.67 stands as the best in an innings over 75 runs this season.
What This Win Means for LSG
This win lifted LSG into the top three of the IPL 2025 points table. It also boosted their net run rate and morale, showing they can fight back from any position. Pooran’s knock reminded everyone that match-winners don’t wait for perfect conditions—they create them.
With the playoffs nearing, LSG now enters the business end of the tournament with momentum, belief, and a finisher in red-hot form.
Conclusion
Nicholas Pooran didn’t just win a match—he created a moment. His 87* carried drama, skill, and emotion in equal measure. He reminded fans why cricket remains the most unpredictable and beautiful game. When others gave up, he stood tall. When the match tightened, he exploded.
In the world of IPL 2025, this knock will stay etched as one of the greats. Pooran gave LSG a night to remember and gave cricket fans a masterclass in finishing with flair and fearlessness.
