Match overview
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Lucknow Super Giants by 98 runs at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 5 May 2024. KKR posted 235/6 after LSG won the toss and chose to field, a total that sat 58 runs above the venue's first-innings average of 177. LSG's chase never found its footing after the powerplay and they were dismissed for 137. Sunil Narine was named Player of the Match for his contributions across both innings.
The margin puts this result in context. Seven teams have faced 235-plus in the second innings of an IPL match at Ekana and none had ever come close. LSG's 98-run defeat was the largest losing margin in the seven-match history between these two franchises, most of which had been decided by single-figure runs tallies.
KKR arrived at this match in decent IPL 2024 form, having won three of their last five games. LSG came in with a 3-2 record over the same period, though one of those defeats had come against KKR themselves earlier in the season.
Venue and conditions
Ekana has hosted 44 T20 matches and produces averages that lean slightly in favour of batting: 177 in the first innings, 157 in the second. The average powerplay score across those matches is 47 runs, meaning KKR's 70/1 in the first six overs was a substantial departure from the norm. Teams fielding first have won around 47 per cent of matches here, and the toss-field rate of 68 per cent reflects captains' awareness that dew later in the evening can assist batters in the chase.
The middle phase at Ekana tends to be where matches turn. On average, the pitch slows slightly once the new ball is gone, and spinners often find purchase in the evening air. KKR's 101 runs across overs 7 to 15 for just 2 wickets was an unusually efficient middle-phase performance. LSG, by contrast, lost 7 wickets for 75 runs in the same phase of their innings, which effectively ended any realistic chance of a successful chase.
Death-over conditions at Ekana have historically averaged 40 runs across the final five overs, making KKR's 64/3 at the death competitive rather than exceptional. LSG managed only 7 runs in the same phase with the match already lost.
How to watch
IPL 2024 is broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Cricket. Live coverage of each match is available via the Sky Sports app and Sky Go for existing subscribers. Non-subscribers can access individual matches through a Now TV day or month pass. UK viewers should note that evening IPL fixtures in India typically start at 3:30 PM IST, which translates to 11:00 AM BST, with afternoon games starting around 7:30 AM BST.
Recent form
Kolkata Knight Riders came into this fixture having beaten Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in their two most recent matches, with defeats against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals their only blemishes in the five games prior. The batting order had clearly found a rhythm by early May 2024.
Lucknow Super Giants' recent form told a slightly more complicated story. Wins over Mumbai Indians and two against Chennai Super Kings showed they were capable of sustained good cricket, but losses to Rajasthan Royals and an earlier meeting with KKR pointed to inconsistency against the stronger sides in the table. Their collapse here, losing 9 wickets across the middle and death overs of a chase requiring 236, extended those concerns into a genuine question about their ability to handle pressure in knockout-style situations.
