Kolkata, India — Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) go head-to-head with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday for the 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the historical Eden Gardens.
Ajinkya Rahane-led KKR currently battling to find their rhythm after mixed results this season. They bagged a crucial win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous outing after suffering early defeats to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians.
For KKR, the shaky opening partnership remains a big concern as Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine have failed to replicate the explosive starts from last season. Their highest opening stand this season has been just 44 runs, with scores of 4, 1, and 14 in other matches. Rahane needs his openers to fire if they want to take the full points from this clash.
Meanwhile, LSG is riding high after narrowly beating Mumbai Indians by 12 runs. Mitchell Marsh has been in fine form, and Aiden Markram regained his batting touch by scoring impactful fifties. However, Rishabh Pant’s form has been under scrutiny, and he will be eager to prove his critics wrong.
Weather-wise, AccuWeather predicts the temperature to hover around 33 degrees Celsius with intermittent clouds and no forecast of rain during the match. Dew won’t play a significant role either as the match progresses.
The pitch at Eden Gardens has shifted this season, favoring spinners more than usual with a dry and slowing surface. Shahbaz Ahmed of LSG noted, “The pitch looks like it will aid slower bowlers. The ball might hold up but won’t necessarily turn much.”
In the all-time IPL records, LSG has a slight edge over KKR with a 3-2 advantage in their previous meetings, but both teams are 1-1 at this venue.
For fans looking to catch the action, live coverage will be available on the Star Sports Network and the JioHotstar app, with the match set to kick off at 3:30 PM IST.
As both teams look to build momentum, KKR’s Quinton de Kock is one to watch, particularly after his eye-catching 97 not out this season. For LSG, Marsh’s consistent scoring makes him the player to beat as the match unfolds.
