Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) registered a thrilling one-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (May 20) to secure a spot in the IPL 2023 playoffs.

Speaking after the game, LSG skipper Krunal Pandya said he is satisfied and happy with the win while also adding that there was a lot of pressure on the team throughout the game.

“First reaction is satisfaction. Just really happy with the way we have played, there was a lot of pressure while batting and bowling, but if you focus, you can pull it off,” said Krunal at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Chasing 177 to win, KKR were struggling at 136/7 after 18 overs. However, Rinku Singh kept the hosts in the hunt as he slammed 67* off 33 balls to take his team to 175/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

LSG’s spin trio of Ravi Bishnoi (2-23), Krishnappa Gowtham (1-26) and Krunal Pandya (1-30) did well with the ball.

“Everything starts from the belief, at one stage when they were 61/1, I just thought 2-3 overs can change the game, there was a lot of help for the spinners, if we bowled in the right areas and bowled dot balls which would force them to take the high risk, we had a chance,” Krunal stated.

Pandya also heaped praise on Rinku Singh, who smashed six fours and four sixes in his whirlwind knock.

“Rinku has been special this year, he showed it again tonight. The way he batted, it's a high pressure situation at the death and it's important to execute well, let's take it one ball at a time and not give away any easy balls,” the LSG captain concluded.

Having qualified for the playoffs, LSG will now await the results of last two league matches between MI and SRH, and RCB versus GT to know their opponent for the IPL 2023 Eliminator.