LSG won by two runs to enter the playoffs.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 2 runs in a high-scoring thriller at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday (May 18) to become the second team to enter the playoffs of ongoing IPL 2022 season, after Gujarat Titans (GT).
LSG captain KL Rahul's decision to bat first was proven correct as they posted 210/0 with Quinton de Kock (140*) and Rahul himself (68*) became the first opening pair to bat through an IPL innings while batting first. This was the biggest IPL opening partnership of all-time and De Kock registered the third-highest individual score of IPL history.
KKR, who had to win the match to entertain any chances of qualification, made a valiant effort to chase the massive target despite losing their openers cheaply. Skipper Shreyas Iyer (50), Nitish Rana (42) and Sam Billings (36) batted well to revive the hopes of the team but it was Rinku Singh (40 off 15) and Sunil Narine (21* in 7) who turned the game on its head in the final few overs.
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With 21 runs needed off the final over bowled by Marcus Stoinis, Rinku batted superbly to bring the equation down to just 3 runs off two balls before Evin Lewis took a one-handed blinder to send him back to the pavilion.
Umesh Yadav was bowled by Stoinis off the final ball, as LSG won by two runs and KKR became the third team after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to be knocked out of the tournament.