Rajasthan Royals (RR) displayed a dominant performance as they secured a commanding 7-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 44 of the IPL 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

Rajasthan Royals’ Dominant Chase

RR started their chase aggressively with an explosive opening partnership of 60 runs in just 35 balls, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler.

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In a sudden turn, RR lost both their openers within two balls as Marcus Stoinis claimed Jaiswal’s wicket on the first ball of the 7th over. Jaiswal had contributed 24 runs off 18 balls before his dismissal. Lucknow found their third breakthrough with Riyan Parag’s departure. After managing just 14 runs off 11 balls, Parag fell victim to Amit Mishra’s bowling in the 9th over of the chase.

Samson-Jurel Winning Partnership

Skipper Sanju Samson (71*) and Dhruv Jurel (52*) showcased resilience and skill, forging a match-winning partnership of 121 runs off 62 balls. The RR skipper then sealed the victory for his side with another maximum, guiding them to a comprehensive 7-wicket win.

Highest partnerships for 4th wicket or below for RR
121* – Sanju Samson & Riyan Parag vs LSG, Lucknow, 2024
107 – Yusuf Pathan & Paras Dogra vs MI, Brabourne, 2010
98* – Jos Buttler & Steven Smith vs CSK, Abu Dhabi, 2020
93 – Shane Watson & Stuart Binny vs CSK, Jaipur, 2023
85* – Steven Smith & James Faulkner vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2013
85* – Riyan Parag & Rahul Tewatia vs SRH, Dubai, 2020

Highest targets successfully chased by RR in the IPL
224 vs PBKS, Sharjah, 2020
224 vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
215 vs Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad, 2008
197 vs Deccan Chargers, Jaipur, 2012
197 vs LSG, Lucknow, 2024

Lucknow Super Giants’ Batting Performance

LSG faced early setbacks in their innings as openers Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoin were dismissed cheaply, leaving them reeling at 11/2 in the second over.

KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda led the recovery with a brilliant partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket. Rahul got his third half-century, while Deepak Hooda got his first half-century in 19-odd matches. Rahul played a captain’s knock with a 48-ball 76, while Hooda scored a vital 50.

Rahul hammered a brilliant 76 off 48 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Just when it looked like he would reach the three-figure mark, Rahul got out as Avesh Khan got his revenge for his mistreatment from the LSG as Boult picked a simple catch at a deep backward point.

Rajasthan Royals pulled back things a bit in the death overs, conceding seven and six runs in the 18th and 19th overs before Ayush Badoni (18 not out) and Krunal Pandya (15*) scored 12 runs off the final over to ensure they reached a par score on this ground.

LSG defending totals in the IPL
2022 and 2023: 15 matches, 12 wins, two defeats, 1 NR
2024: 6 matches, three wins, three defeats

LSG’s defeats batting first in the IPL (by targets)
197 – RR, Lucknow, 2024
168 – DC, Lucknow, 2024
162 – KKR, Kolkata, 2024
160 – PBKS, Lucknow, 2023
159 – GT, Mumbai WS, 2022

Highest partnerships vs LSG (any wicket)
142 – Wriddhiman Saha & Shubman Gill (GT), Ahmedabad, 2023
121* – Sanju Samson & Riyan Parag (GT), Lucknow, 2024
120* – Shreyas Iyer & Phil Salt (KKR), Kolkata, 2024
115 – Faf du Plessis & Glenn Maxwell (RCB), Bengaluru, 2023
110 – Ruturaj Gaikwad & Devon Conway (CSK), Chennai, 2023