In Match 36 of IPL 2025, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) faced a gut-wrenching 2-run defeat against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Chasing a target of 181, RR looked in control initially but faltered in the final stages of the innings. The narrow loss triggered frustration among fans, with many expressing disappointment over RR “bottling” yet another winnable match. While they had moments of brilliance, the collapse was fueled by poor tactics and key player issues.

One of the primary reasons behind RR’s loss was a fragile middle order that failed to anchor the chase under pressure. Despite strong starts, the middle-order batters couldn’t convert their innings into match-winning contributions. The lack of depth and composure during the crucial middle overs led to a stutter in momentum. Additionally, RR’s tactical decisions in the death overs—both with the bat and ball—proved costly, as they couldn't close out the match despite being in a promising position.

Another major setback for RR was the absence of their regular captain, Sanju Samson, whose leadership and calming influence were sorely missed. Without Samson, the team appeared disorganized in high-pressure situations. The lack of on-field direction raised questions about RR’s contingency planning and ability to manage crunch moments. As the tournament progresses, RR must urgently address their leadership vacuum and tactical execution if they hope to bounce back in the remaining matches.

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 36: Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals Full Match Highlights

1. Weak Middle-Order Collapse

RR’s chase got off to a strong start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hammering 74 off 52 balls and young debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi impressing with a fearless 34 off just 20. With only 51 runs required from 29 deliveries, Rajasthan looked well on track. However, Jaiswal’s dismissal triggered a collapse in the middle order. Despite Riyan Parag’s 39 off 26 balls, the remaining batters couldn’t maintain the momentum. Instead of continuing the aggressive approach, RR's middle order shifted to a more cautious strategy, opting for singles and struggling to find boundaries on a pitch that offered plenty to batters. This sudden dip in intent allowed LSG to claw back control during the crucial final overs and apply pressure exactly when it mattered most. The subdued finish sparked criticism on social media platform X, with fans expressing disappointment at the lack of urgency and failure to close out the chase. The middle order's inability to step up at a decisive moment proved costly, turning a promising position into a frustrating defeat.

2. Final-Over Blunders

RR needed just 9 runs in the final over, but Avesh Khan’s pinpoint death bowling and a stunning catch by Shardul Thakur to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer turned the game on its head. Poor decision-making, tactical errors, and missed chances defined the last over—eerily mirroring their earlier Super Over defeat against the Delhi Capitals. Frustration peaked among fans, particularly due to Dhruv Jurel’s conservative running and the lack of urgency shown by key batters. RR's inability to hold their nerve in crunch moments again exposed familiar flaws. Repeated misjudgments in running between the wickets and questionable shot selections from senior players under pressure led to yet another collapse in a winnable game. The defeat was a culmination of ongoing execution issues and rising concerns around players faltering when it matters most.

3. Samson's Absence Hurts

The absence of regular skipper Sanju Samson, sidelined due to injury from the previous match, left Rajasthan Royals without clear direction. Stand-in captain Riyan Parag struggled to fill the leadership void, and RR’s overdependence on key players like Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal was clearly exposed.  The failures of Nitish Rana and Shimron Hetmyer with the bat added to RR's woes, especially as Lucknow Super Giants posted a challenging 180/5. The total was powered by Aiden Markram’s composed 66, Ayush Badoni’s brisk 50, and a late blitz from Abdul Samad, who smashed 30* off just 10 balls—including 27 runs in Sandeep Sharma’s final over. Ultimately, RR’s lack of effective leadership and depth in the batting order cost them the match. The inability to counter LSG's strong middle and lower-order assault highlighted the growing gap between RR's top-tier and support players, sealing yet another disappointing defeat.