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Match 21 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KKR are coming off a dominant 80-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while LSG narrowly edged past Mumbai Indians in their last game. With KKR’s momentum and home advantage clashing against LSG’s explosive batting lineup, this promises to be an exciting contest. Below is a detailed preview of the match, including team analysis, fantasy picks, pitch report, toss prediction, and winner prediction.
Match Details
| Match | KKR vs LSG (Match 21, IPL 2025) |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Tomorrow, [Insert Date] |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Recent Form | KKR: W-L-W-L-W, LSG: W-L-W-L-W |
Team Previews
Kolkata Knight Riders Preview
Kolkata Knight Riders have regained their rhythm after a shaky start, delivering a commanding performance against SRH. Their batting lineup finally clicked, with Venkatesh Iyer smashing 60 off 29 balls and Angkrish Raghuvanshi contributing a solid 50. Ajinkya Rahane provided stability at one-down, while Rinku Singh and Andre Russell added firepower in the death overs.
Their bowling attack has been equally impressive, with Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy leading the charge. Arora’s 3/29 and Chakaravarthy’s 3/22 stifled SRH’s chase, showcasing their ability to exploit slow pitches. Sunil Narine and Harshit Rana add depth, making KKR a well-rounded unit heading into this clash.
Lucknow Super Giants Preview
Lucknow Super Giants have had a mixed campaign, alternating between wins and losses. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran have been their standout performers, with Marsh’s explosive 60 off 31 balls anchoring their recent win over MI. Aiden Markram also found form with a crucial 53, easing pressure on the middle order.
However, concerns remain over Rishabh Pant’s poor form and David Miller’s struggles. The lower middle order, led by Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad, has shown promise but lacks consistency. Shardul Thakur has been their main wicket-taker, but his economy rate of over 10 runs per over remains a worry. Digvesh Singh Rathi has been economical, providing balance to the attack.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Reasons |
|---|---|
| KKR | KKR’s strong form, balanced squad, and home advantage give them the edge over LSG. |
Fantasy Team XI
Fantasy Team XI Table
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Pooran | WK/Batsman | LSG |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Batsman | KKR |
| Mitchell Marsh | Batsman | LSG |
| Rinku Singh | All-Rounder | KKR |
| Andre Russell | All-Rounder | KKR |
| Aiden Markram | Batsman | LSG |
| Ajinkya Rahane | Batsman | KKR |
| Shardul Thakur | Bowler | LSG |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Bowler | KKR |
| Vaibhav Arora | Bowler | KKR |
| Akash Deep | Bowler | LSG |
Explanation
This fantasy XI balances explosive batting (Pooran, Iyer), consistent performers (Marsh, Markram), and wicket-taking bowlers (Thakur, Chakaravarthy). It leans slightly towards KKR due to their better overall form.
Captain and Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain: Nicholas Pooran (Explosive hitter; capable of winning games single-handedly)
- Vice-Captain: Venkatesh Iyer (In-form batter; capable of accelerating)
Players to Avoid
- Rishabh Pant: Struggling for form and hasn’t contributed significantly.
- David Miller: Inconsistent performances make him a risky pick.
Team Squads and Probable Playing XIs
Squad Tables
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Lucknow Super Giants |
|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine | Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh |
| Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer | Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant |
| Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali | Ayush Badoni, David Miller |
| Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell | Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur |
| Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy | Digvesh Singh Rathi, Akash Deep |
| Vaibhav Arora | Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi |
Probable Playing XI
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Lucknow Super Giants |
|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine | Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh |
| Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer | Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant |
| Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali | Ayush Badoni, David Miller |
| Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell | Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur |
| Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy | Digvesh Singh Rathi, Akash Deep |
| Vaibhav Arora | Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi |
Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch is typically slow, offering assistance to spinners and requiring batters to play patiently. While pacers may get some swing early on, spinners dominate as the game progresses. A par score of around 180-190 could be competitive.
Toss Prediction
Batting first is the preferred choice, as chasing has traditionally been easier at Eden Gardens due to dew in the second innings.
Winner Prediction
Kolkata Knight Riders hold the edge due to their strong form, balanced squad, and home advantage. However, LSG’s explosive batting lineup ensures a competitive contest.
Final Answer: Kolkata Knight Riders
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