The eighteenth edition of the Indian Premier League is going to get its first encounter between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Supergiants at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways heading into their fifth matchday. Kolkata Knight Riders won their last fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Lucknow Supergiants also won their last fixture against Mumbai Indians. KKR and Lucknow Supergiants have clashed against each other on the previous five occasions. LSG holds the bragging rights with 3 victories under their belt compared to Kolkata’s 2. Both teams are going to be dependent on their veteran stars to claim victory.
Here is the list of three-player battles to watch out for in the match:
3. Nicholas Pooran vs Sunil Narine

Nicholas Pooran has been in remarkable form in IPL 2025, boasting a strike rate of 218.47. His aggressive style, particularly against spin bowling, has proven to be of great advantage for LSG during the middle overs.
However, he will be up against Sunil Narine. The KKR mystery spinner has had success against Pooran in their past encounters, having dismissed him three times in 23 T20 innings.
2. Rinku Singh vs Shardul Thakur

Rinku Singh has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable finishers. In contrast, Shardul Thakur has earned a reputation for his ability to take vital wickets at critical junctures. The LSG pacer has dismissed Rinku once in three T20 encounters, with the KKR batter maintaining a strike rate of 118.18 in this matchup.
3. Rishabh Pant vs Varun Chakravarthy

Rishabh Pant, the captain of LSG and the most expensive player in IPL history hasn’t had the best season thus far. To complicate matters, his performance against KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been dismal. Pant has managed to score only 31 runs off 30 balls, at a strike rate of 103.33, and has been dismissed three times.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.