In a dominant display, Kolkata claimed a resounding 98-run victory over Lucknow, catapulting them to the top of the points table in the latest Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Lucknow’s decision to bowl first backfired as Kolkata’s aggressive batting, led by Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, propelled them to a formidable total of 235 runs.

Despite a solid start from Lucknow’s KL Rahul and Arshin Kulkarni, Kolkata’s bowlers, particularly Harshit Rana with three crucial wickets, turned the tide in their favor.

Sunil Narine’s dynamic batting sets the tone for Kolkata

Kolkata’s innings saw Narine’s explosive knock of 81 runs off just 39 balls, complemented by contributions from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh. Lucknow’s bowling struggled to contain Kolkata’s onslaught, conceding 35 runs in the final overs and allowing 70 runs in the Powerplay.

Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy shows bowling brilliance

In response, Lucknow faltered early on, losing wickets consistently against Kolkata’s formidable bowling attack. Despite a brief partnership between Rahul and Marcus Stoinis, Lucknow failed to mount a successful chase. Andre Russell and Varun Chakaravarthy wreaked havoc with the ball, picking up crucial wickets and restricting Lucknow to a mere 137 runs.

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Ultimately, Kolkata’s comprehensive performance secured them a convincing victory, as Lucknow succumbed to pressure and collapsed to 137 all out. With this win, Kolkata reaffirmed their dominance in the IPL, showcasing their prowess as a formidable contender in the tournament.