IPL 2024, KKR vs LSG highlights: Phil Salt smashes quick-fire 89, Starc takes 3 as Kolkata hammer Lucknow by 8 wickets

In a captivating match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Eden Gardens saw an impressive performance from KKR’s opener Phil Salt, who single-handedly steered his team to victory with an 89-run knock off 47 balls. KKR’s eight-wicket win over LSG in IPL 2024 was a reflection of Salt’s destructive batting and the collective efforts of KKR’s bowlers.

Starc’s Early Impact

The match began with KKR bowling first, and the team got off to a strong start thanks to their mentor, Gautam Gambhir, placing confidence in Mitchell Starc. The under-pressure pacer didn’t disappoint, securing his first wicket by dismissing Deepak Hooda in the powerplay. KKR bowlers were relentless in their attack, restricting LSG to 49/2 in the first six overs. Vaibhav Arora claimed the wicket of Quinton de Kock for 10 off 8 balls, while Ramandeep Singh’s stunning catch enabled Starc’s wicket.

LSG’s Batting Woes

Despite promising starts from their top order, LSG struggled to capitalize on their batting efforts. Captain KL Rahul failed to build on his promising start, but Ayush Badoni added a valuable 29 off 27 balls to the scorecard. Nicholas Pooran emerged as LSG’s top-scorer, delivering a 45-run knock off 32 balls, lifting the team to a respectable 161/7 in 20 overs.

Starc’s performance stood out as he took three wickets, giving away only 28 runs in four overs. His final over was particularly impressive, as he conceded just six runs and took the crucial wicket of Pooran to ensure LSG posted a below-par total.

Salt’s Stellar Innings

In response, KKR’s chase was anchored by a scintillating performance from opener Phil Salt. His innings was nothing short of spectacular, as he smashed 89 off 47 balls, including several boundaries and towering sixes. KKR never looked in danger of losing momentum during the chase, and Salt’s aggressive batting set the tone for the innings.

While KKR lost Sunil Narine cheaply, and although captain Shreyas Iyer’s slow yet steady innings (38 off 38) provided stability, Salt’s dominance at the crease ensured KKR secured the victory in 15.4 overs.

Salt Takes Player of the Match

KKR’s commanding performance propelled them to the second spot in the IPL 2024 points table. Phil Salt was rightly named Player of the Match for his sensational innings, guiding KKR to an eight-wicket win and allowing them to bounce back after a previous defeat.

The match demonstrated KKR’s depth in both batting and bowling, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Thank you for following HT’s live coverage of this IPL 2024 clash between KKR and LSG at Eden Gardens.