Last week, the ODI series was played due to which the T20 matches were postponed and finally on Friday its time for one of the most interesting fixtures in Indian Premier League (IPL) history – Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders. With Lucknow debuting only in 2022, matches between these two teams have already given us record scores, thrilling finishes, playoff drama and memorable individual performances.
From KL Rahul’s inspiring captaincy in the formative years of LSG to KKR’s dominant title-winning campaign for 2024, every confrontation between these franchises has added another chapter to this fledgling rivalry. Since IPL 2025, LSG led the combined head-to-head record by just one more victory, whilst KKR remained as competitive internally.
Overview of the Rivalry
A new team in the IPL since 2022, Lucknow Super Giants made an immediate impact, reaching the playoffs in their maiden season. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders were already one of the most successful franchises with two IPL titles and one of the biggest fan followings in Indian sports.
What made this matchup especially intriguing was the juxtaposition of a new expansion team against an established powerhouse. Exciting encounters and scintillating performances over the years made it one of the most engrossing rivalries in IPL history.
Head-to-Head Record (Till IPL 2025)
- Matches Played: 6+
- LSG Wins: 4
- KKR Wins: 2
- Closest Finish: LSG 1-run win (2023)
- BIGGEST WIN: KKR By 98 Runs, 2024
- Team Highest Total: LSG 238/3 (in 2025)
IPL 2022: The Rivalry Begins
First Meeting – April 2022
Match 53 of IPL 2022: Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Hashwise Lucknow Super Giants face off against the Kolkata Knight Riders for the first time ever.
LSG proved they are not one of the mere new franchises. Their batting order scored a difficult 176/7 and that was more than enough as their bowlers ran riot against KKR.
Defending a small total of 176, Lucknow’s bowling unit knocked KKR over for just 101 runs to register a wonderful 75 run win.
Key Performers
- Deepak Hooda
- Quinton de Kock
- Avesh Khan
Result: LSG won by 75 runs.
Second Meeting – May 2022
Both games started as one of the most iconic matches in history, IPL among them.
KL Rahul played a captain’s knock with an unbeaten hundred to help Lucknow post a mammoth 210/0. Rahul & Quinton de Kock shared a world record opening stand.
In the chase, KKR showed some great fight but lost by only two runs.
Key Moments
- KL Rahul scored 103*
- Record opening stand for LSG
- KKR nearly chased 211
Result: LSG won by 2 runs.
IPL 2022 Eliminator
They faced each other again – in an eliminator when the stakes were even higher.
Lucknow made a low total but managed to defend it with Marcus Stoinis contributing both with bat and ball KKR’s chase failed to reach the necessary level despite a late fight.
Key Performers
- Marcus Stoinis
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Mohsin Khan
Result: LSG won by 2 runs.
Lucknow had not only won all 3 meetings with their new opponents after IPL 2022, but they also seemed completely in control of this rivalry.
IPL 2023: Another Thriller
The season 2023 gave us one of the closest point fights between the teams.
The high-profile encounter which had significant playoff ramifications was played at Eden Gardens. Nicholas Pooran’s onslaught helped Lucknow reach 176/8.
KKR took the fight to the last over, needing only a few runs before they eventually went down. But Lucknow managed to pull off a stunning one-run triumph after that.
Key Performers
- 58 from 30 balls: nicholas pooran
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Krunal Pandya
Why It Was Important
With this win, Lucknow moved onto the playoffs and knocked Kolkata out of the tournament.
Result: LSG won by 1 run.
Lucknow, by this point were proving a serious bogey team for KKR.
IPL 2024: KKR Strike Back
Then came the 2024 season, which turned the fickle rivalry on its head.
The Kolkata Knight Riders came into the season with an arguably better and balanced squad. With Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Andre Russell and Varun Chakravarthy in the side, KKR was one of most fearless teams under their leadership group.
First Match – April 14, 2024
KKR chased down Lucknow’s total easily at Eden Gardens.
Phil Salt came up with an explosive innings and took hold of the chase from ball 1.
Key Performers
- Phil Salt – 89 runs
- Sunil Narine
- Mitchell Starc
Result: KKR won by 8 wickets.
Second Match – May 5, 2024
This match was one of the more lopsided games in the rivalry.
KKR’s batting order shocked everyone with a record score of 235/6, led by Sunil Narine.
Batting under pressure, Lucknow succumbed to the bowling and were all out for 137.
Key Performers
- Sunil Narine – 81 runs
- Andre Russell
- Varun Chakravarthy
Result: KKR won by 98 runs.
This win gave a great impetus to KKR towards their IPL 2024 title winning season.
IPL 2025: A High-Scoring Classic
The IPL 2025 match at Eden Gardens was the latest chapter in the rivalry.
Fans saw one of the most high-scoring encounters in history between the teams.
Super Giants scored 238/3 in the first innings with a brilliant batting display from Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran.
LSG Innings Highlights
- Mitchell Marsh gave us the best start.
- Aiden Markram built the foundation.
- Nicholas Pooran also scored an unbeaten 87 runs from just 36 balls.
KKR reacted well and seemed to be in a position to chase it down.
Ajinkya Rahane’s fifty and Sunil Narine maintained the attacking game already.
But it was LSG bowlers, who kept their cool in the death overs.
Key Performers
- Nicholas Pooran – 87*
- Mitchell Marsh
- Ajinkya Rahane – 61
Result: LSG won by 4 runs.
It was a reminder to fans what made this rivalry so exhilarating down the stretch.
Most Memorable Performances
KL Rahul’s Century (2022)
But KL Rahul’s unbeaten 103 is undoubtedly one of the best innings from the LSG vs KKR match.
Sheer class from one of the most dependable captains and batters in IPL, as his knock guided Lucknow to 210/0.
Nicholas Pooran’s Match-Winning Innings
KKR bowlers have had a lot of trouble figuring out Pooran.
His explosive 87* against the side in IPL 2025 was instrumental in one of the highest-scoring encounters between the sides.
Sunil Narine’s All-Round Dominance
Kolkata have won when Narine has been the difference.
An innings of 81 against KKR in a match that the side won by only 98 runs is one of the best individual performances in this rivalry.
Phil Salt’s Masterclass
Salt’s 89-run innings on the batting-friendly surfaces of India in 2024 painted a picture of just how dangerous KKR could be chasing.
Why This Rivalry Is Special
Here are the reasons for LSG vs KKR being a must-watch contest:
1. Close Finishes
There have been a number of games won by razor-thin margins—from 1-run wins to 2-run triumphs and even 4-run victories.
2. Star Players
Big names from IPL headline the rivalry, here are some of them:
- KL Rahul
- Nicholas Pooran
- Mitchell Marsh
- Sunil Narine
- Andre Russell
- Rinku Singh
- Varun Chakravarthy
3 High Scores
Clashes involving these sides regularly go big in totals and run chases. They combined for more than 470 runs in just the 2025 match-up alone.
4. Playoff Importance
The stakes of many meetings have direct playoff implications, which adds to the pressure and drama.
Learn More: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline
Conclusion
From Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders: A new IPL rivalry can call for a very short timeline. The fixtures have produced thrilling finishes, landmark centuries and fierce fights ever since Lucknow joined the league in 2022.
LSG has claimed a few of the early years, but KKR were buoyed by their title-winning 2024 campaign where they came on strong. The IPL 2025 clash was riveting, and the final proved to be an edge-of-the-seat affair as neither of the two teams would give anything away.
Thanks to their talented squads, fanatical crowds and history of tight contests, the LSG vs KKR fixture remains consistently one of the most exciting on the IPL calendar.
Learn More: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Timeline
