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.

The IPL 2025 season continues to deliver thrilling action as teams fiercely compete for top positions. Match 36 of the IPL 2025 season was played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 19. It turned out to be a closely contested, high-scoring game, with LSG putting up 180/5 in 20 overs and RR making 178/5 in 20 overs, which meant LSG won by 2 runs.

Lucknow Super Giants innings

In the LSG innings, Aiden Markram was the main contributor to their innings, finishing with an unbeaten 66 off 45 balls. He provided the stability needed to the innings, while Ayush Badoni was able to quicken the innings, making 50 off 34. The innings was iced with Abdul Samad at the end, making a quick-fire 30* off 10 balls. The bowling performance by RR was good, and Wanindu Hasaranga bowled economically, 2/31, whilst Jofra Archer contributed 1/32. Tushar Deshpande bowled 4 overs for 26 runs while picking up 1 wicket.

Rajasthan Royals innings

Chasing 181, RR got off to a blistering start with Yashasvi Jaiswal putting together a solid 74 off 52, Riyan Parag backing up with 39 off 26, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi chipping in with 34 off 20; however, the middle order didn't fire, and LSG's bowling performance turned the momentum of the game with Avesh Khan (3/37) and Shardul Thakur (1/34) scoring timely wickets each. Aiden Markram bowled well for 1/18, and in the end, RR fell painfully short in the final over from the victory.

Latest IPL 2025 Points Table:

As of April 19, 2025, following the match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), the updated IPL 2025 points table is as follows:

Also read: PBKS vs RCB : Match 37 weather and pitch report IPL 2025

Orange & Purple Cap in IPL 2025

Orange Cap (Most Runs):

• Nicholas Pooran  - 368 Runs
• B Sai Sudharsan -365 Runs
• Jos Buttler - 315 Runs

Purple Cap (Most Wickets):

• Prasidh Krishna - 14 Wickets
• Noor Ahmad  - 12 Wickets
• Kuldeep Yadav - 12 Wickets

Match 36 of the IPL 2025 season was played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 19. It turned out to be a closely contested, high-scoring game, with LSG putting up 180/5 in 20 overs and RR making 178/5 in 20 overs, which meant LSG won by 2 runs.

Lucknow Super Giants innings

In the LSG innings, Aiden Markram was the main contributor to their innings, finishing with an unbeaten 66 off 45 balls. He provided the stability needed to the innings, while Ayush Badoni was able to quicken the innings, making 50 off 34. The innings was iced with Abdul Samad at the end, making a quick-fire 30* off 10 balls. The bowling performance by RR was good, and Wanindu Hasaranga bowled economically, 2/31, whilst Jofra Archer contributed 1/32. Tushar Deshpande bowled 4 overs for 26 runs while picking up 1 wicket.

Rajasthan Royals innings

Chasing 181, RR got off to a blistering start with Yashasvi Jaiswal putting together a solid 74 off 52, Riyan Parag backing up with 39 off 26, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi chipping in with 34 off 20; however, the middle order didn't fire, and LSG's bowling performance turned the momentum of the game with Avesh Khan (3/37) and Shardul Thakur (1/34) scoring timely wickets each. Aiden Markram bowled well for 1/18, and in the end, RR fell painfully short in the final over from the victory.

Also Read: Top 5 Youngest Players To Have Ever Played In IPL History

LSG vs RR: Post Match Reactions

Riyan Parag (RR Captain): "It's hard to process all the emotions right now. I don't know what we did wrong. I think we were in the game probably till the 19th over, actually. After that I don't know. I think someone should take the responsibility. I probably blame myself because we should have finished off the game. I think we should expect a win after we play the full 40 overs together. I think we did really well. Last over unfortunate. I thought we could restrict them to about 165-170 and the last over was pretty unfortunate. Sandy bhai had a day off and Abdul Samad batted really well. So, I thought they got 15-20 more than par. The wicket played well today. We knew it would play like this but unfortunately we blame ourselves for our performance."
 
Shardul Thakur (LSG.): "Never easy under pressure. High stakes on the line. I was trying to run him out, and then he obviously ran two, and then next ball he took a great catch. Taking from the experience the last few years I stood in the right place and just had to react. We knew Avesh's capabilities.He can surprise the batter easily, and that's what we saw today and in the first game that he played in Vizag. Very happy about it, coaches and management have been stressing about following our processes and not worrying about results. 3 or 4 games have gone down to the wire for us and on 3 occasions we have held our fort. We share a great camaraderie thanks to the management."

Rishabh Pant (LSG Captain): "I believe both. When we refer to these games, they develop character. That is the character we want in the team, a never say die attitude. It was a good win. We believe it will take us to another level as a team. These finishes will always help shape character and we will become stronger.

Avesh Khan (Player of the Match): "The hand is fine. It felt broken when I was hit on the phone, saw the stars in front of my eyes, not enough time to celebrate. I don't want to be Mitchell Starc, I want to be a good Avesh Khan. I take pride in my execution and want to execute my plans well. I bowl not worrying about the scoreboard, trust my execution. The thought was to contain boundaries in the first 3 balls to put the batters under pressure. When I saw the ball go in the air mistimed, I saw David Miller and thought he will take it. It is easier to save 6 runs on this ground as mistimed shot can go for a boundary. We were only talking about which fielder to put on."I am trying to understand my bowling pattern which helps in deciding these factors. I think about the team, I wanted to win the match. We need to play 6 more matches and I will try to win those games for my side as well with such performances."

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 35: Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals Full Match Highlights

Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals: Match Scorecard

Lucknow Super Giants – 180/5 (20 Overs) 

Rajasthan Royals – 178/5 (20 Overs)

A dream IPL debut for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He started his IPL career with a six in the first he faced. The first innings of Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was lit by a blistering Abdul Samad; the second was all about Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Netizens around all social media platforms are chanting the boy's name— what a talent! 

Batting first, LSG scored 180 after losing 5 wickets, powered by Abdul Samad's 30* (10), Ayush Badoni's 66 runs, and opener Aiden Markram. Aiden and Badoni shaped their team for a possible fight score, and then, at the lower middle order, Abdul smashed 26 alone in the 20th over to take LSG to 180. 

Cricket fans were curious to see how Vaibhav Suryavanshi performed today. No one was expecting that he could launch his first-ever IPL match with a maximum. The left-handed batter was looking good enough to claim a 50 in his debut IPL match, but he fell short by only 16 runs; he bagged 34 in 20 balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal made a steady 74 on top of the batting order. Captain of Rajasthan Royals for tonight's game, as Sanju Samson was unavailable due to injury, scored 39. 

Read More: 'Samad is a different gravy' - Fans react as Abdul Samad smashes 27 runs in final over of LSG innings in IPL 2025

It was Avesh Khan who changed the fate of the match

At a point in the match when Jaiswal and Suryavanshi were on the pitch, it looked like the momentum of the match completely shifted towards Rajasthan, but there was a twist in the end. 

LSG won by 2 runs
Do you beleive rajsthan retained dhruv jurel at 18 cr 🤡

Another match not finishing by him #RRvsLSG pic.twitter.com/rLRBNnbjzN

— Sanjay Gurjar 🧢 (@sanjaygurjar_1) April 19, 2025

It was Avesh Khan who added more spice to the game with a 3-wicket haul. Two crucial wickets at the peak point of the match. Dhruv Jurel and Shubham Dubey remained not out but couldn't help their team to reach the finish line. After a rollercoaster fight between two IPL teams, LSG emerged victorious with only 2 runs in hand.

1 2 W 0 2 1
Avesh Khan Defended 9 runs in Final over 💥

Well bowled Avesh Khan🙌#vaibhavsuryavanshi#RRvsLSG "वैभव सूर्यवंशी pic.twitter.com/UVciXCZ9PI

— HEEBA KHAN (@HeebaKhan86) April 19, 2025

You cannot win if there's Avesh Khan in the final over of a game- either in batting or bowling.

Best finisher IPL has ever produced.
Proving it again and again.

- Rajasthan Royals can continue to make inspirational reels.#RRvLSG #RRvsLSG pic.twitter.com/CHKE5eaNxn

— Inside out (@INSIDDE_OUT) April 19, 2025

IPL 2025: LSG vs RR – Player Battles to Watch Out For

Match: Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals
Date: April 19th, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

Key Player Confrontations

Aiden Markram vs. Jofra Archer
Markram's reliable technique will be probed early, by Archer's express pace fireworks can be expected if Markram gets into his stride.

Rishabh Pant vs. Maheesh Theekshana
Pant enjoys taking on spinners, but Theekshana's mystery balls might provoke a false shot in the middle overs.

David Miller vs. Sandeep Sharma
Miller's death overs firepower collides with Sandeep's crafty change-ups this battle might determine the death overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs. Avesh Khan
Jaiswal's aggressive starts will face a challenge from Avesh’s wicket-taking ability with the new ball.

Sanju Samson vs. Ravi Bishnoi
The skipper vs the spinner, Samson’s flair will be tested by Bishnoi’s skiddy leg-spin on a turning Lucknow pitch.

ALSO READ:HL: KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty reveal Baby Girl’s name — Fans go crazy!

Playing XI:

Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI: Aiden Markaram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi Impact Player: Digvesh Rathi

Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Yashashvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande Impact Player: Kumar Kartikeya

In a thrilling IPL encounter, Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious against Lucknow Super Giants as skipper Sanju Samson played a captain’s innings, remaining unbeaten with a blistering 71 off just 33 balls. Partnering with Dhruv Jurel, who contributed a crucial 52 not out off 34 balls, Samson guided his team to a commanding seven-wicket win, chasing down Lucknow’s target of 197 in 19 overs.

Lucknow Super Giants had posted a challenging total of 196 for 5, thanks to a stellar performance by their skipper KL Rahul, who scored a brisk 76 runs off 48 balls, supported by Deepak Hooda’s aggressive 50 off 31 balls. The duo’s 115-run partnership for the third wicket set the stage for Lucknow’s competitive total.

Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers faced a tough challenge against Lucknow’s strong batting lineup, with Sandeep Sharma emerging as the most successful bowler for RR, claiming 2 wickets for 31 runs. Despite their efforts, Lucknow managed to post a formidable score, setting the stage for an exciting chase.

Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s amazing partnership

In reply, Rajasthan Royals’ openers Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to a solid start, taking the team to 50/0 after 5 overs. However, Buttler’s dismissal for 34 runs in 18 balls provided Lucknow with a breakthrough, as Yash Dayal claimed the key wicket.

Despite losing Jaiswal for 24 runs, Rajasthan Royals continued to build their innings steadily, reaching 81/3 after 10 overs. The partnership between Jurel and Samson turned the tide in Rajasthan’s favor, as they brought up a crucial 50-run partnership in just 31 balls.

Sanju Samson leads the team to victory

Samson showcased his batting prowess, reaching his half-century in just 28 balls, while Jurel followed suit, bringing up his fifty in 31 balls. Their partnership proved to be the turning point of the match, as Rajasthan Royals crossed the 100-run mark in 11.4 overs, firmly establishing their dominance.

See Also: Sanju Samson, the team player and captain gets praised by Netizens

In the end, Rajasthan Royals sealed the victory with seven wickets in hand, completing an impressive chase of 197 runs against Lucknow Super Giants. Their commanding performance, led by skipper Sanju Samson’s unbeaten knock, highlights their strength and determination in the IPL 2024 season.

In the electrifying realm of the Indian Premier League (IPL), amidst the collective efforts of teams, individual brilliance often steals the spotlight. Two prestigious awards, the Orange Cap and the Purple Cap, stand as testaments to outstanding batting and bowling performances, injecting an extra dose of excitement into the tournament.

IPL 2024: Orange Cap Holder

The former captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Virat Kohli, continues to wield his bat with finesse, maintaining his reign atop the Orange Cap list in IPL 2024. Kohli’s stellar performance has seen him amass 430 runs from 9 matches, boasting an impressive average of 63.17 and a striking strike rate of 150.39.

See Also: Sanju Samson, the team player and captain gets praised by Netizens

In the clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), skipper Sanju Samson showcased his batting prowess, crafting a scintillating innings of 71 runs from just 33 balls. His stellar performance, adorned with 7 boundaries and 4 maximums, propels him to the second position in the Orange Cap tally, with 385 runs.

LSG’s captain, KL Rahul, has been a pillar of strength with the bat, exemplified by his recent innings of 76 runs off 48 balls. This formidable knock elevates him to the third spot in the Orange Cap standings, boasting 378 runs from 9 matches.

Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC), has been a consistent performer, anchoring his team with stellar performances. Pant occupies the fourth position in the Orange Cap tally, having amassed 371 runs in 10 matches, showcasing his mettle as a reliable batsman.

Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) showcased his power-hitting prowess with a blistering knock of 71 runs from just 32 balls against Punjab Kings (PBKS). This impressive innings propels him to the fifth spot in the Orange Cap list, with 357 runs.

Most Runs in IPL 2024

IPL 2024: Purple Cap Holder

Arguably one of the most valuable cricketers in the tournament, Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians (MI) continues to display his class in pivotal moments. Bumrah’s stellar performance against Delhi Capitals, where he claimed 1 wicket while conceding just 35 runs, solidifies his position as the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 9 games.

Despite facing challenges early in the tournament, Harshal Patel of Punjab Kings (PBKS) has staged a remarkable resurgence with the ball. With 14 wickets in 9 games, Patel occupies the second spot in the Purple Cap race, showcasing his ability to pick up crucial wickets for his team.

Experienced leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal of Rajasthan Royals (RR) continues to silence his critics with his stellar performances. Chahal’s impressive tally of 13 wickets in nine games cements his position as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Mukesh Kumar of Delhi Capitals (DC) has emerged as a potent force in the bowling department, claiming 13 wickets in 7 games. His impactful performance against MI, where he picked up 3 crucial wickets, underscores his importance to the DC squad.

Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has stood out for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2024. With 12 wickets in 7 games, Yadav’s ability to pick up key wickets at crucial junctures has been commendable, making him an integral part of DC’s bowling attack.

Most Wickets in IPL 2024

Rajasthan Royals (RR) continued their impressive run in the IPL 2024 with a 7-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The match showcased performances from RR’s captain, Sanju Samson, and batsman Dhruv Jurel.

Captain’s Knock: Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson led from the front with an unbeaten 71 runs, guiding RR to victory with his composed batting and strategic captaincy. Dhruv Jurel played a crucial role with his unbeaten 52, forming a formidable partnership with Samson and steering RR towards the target.

See Also: Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by 7 wickets

RR got off to a flying start with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler, who put on a solid opening partnership of 60 runs in 5.5 overs before LSG fought back. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel’s partnership turned the game in RR’s favor, with both batsmen reaching their fifties quickly and guiding RR to a comfortable victory. RR seized control of the match, ensuring a smooth chase and clinching victory with an over to spare, reaffirming their dominance in the IPL 2024.

KL Rahul’s Milestone

KL Rahul’s impressive knock of 76 runs included a milestone achievement as he became the fastest opener to reach 4000 runs in the IPL. His fifty came off just 31 balls, showcasing his dominance with the bat. Deepak Hooda’s quick-fire half-century complemented Rahul’s innings, but the lack of substantial contributions from other batters hampered LSG’s total.

Fan Reactions On Samson

Sanju Samson showcased their T20 prowess, igniting discussions about their inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad with their impactful performances. Fans took to social media platforms to express their admiration for Samson’s match-winning knock, advocating for his T20 World Cup squad selection.

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.

See Also: India to play T20I series against Bangladesh, focusing on upcoming T20 World Cup

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

In a captivating encounter between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2024, LSG managed to post a competitive total of 196/5 despite early setbacks. KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda were crucial in steering the innings, but RR’s bowlers fought back admirably.

Lucknow Super Giants’ Batting Performance

LSG encountered a shaky start as Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis were dismissed early, leaving them struggling at the beginning of their innings. KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda steadied the ship with a resilient partnership, accumulating runs steadily and punishing loose deliveries. Both batsmen showcased their class and scored fifties, but Hooda holed out against Ashwin. However, Rahul kept scoring some classical strokes and used the longer boundaries to score plenty of doubles. He looked good for a hundred but struck out against Avesh Khan at the death.

See Also: Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians by 10 runs

Despite losing wickets towards the end, LSG managed to hover around the 10-runs-per-over mark, thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s and others’ late contributions. However, they fell short of the 200-run mark, finishing with 196/5.

Rajasthan Royals’ Bowling Display

RR’s bowlers, led by Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma, made early inroads into the LSG batting lineup, putting them under pressure right from the start.

Although RR initially dominated proceedings, their bowling attack faltered in the middle overs as LSG’s batters capitalized on loose deliveries. Ashwin and Chahal failed to produce breakthroughs, allowing LSG to build a substantial partnership. Ashwin did get a wicket to his name in his next spell but runs kept flowing at a gentle pace as Yuzvendra Chahal was expensive and went wicketless for the first time this year.

Sandeep Sharma was called to the rescue, and he did get his second wicket and 200th of his career. Two quick wickets did ease off the run rate and Avesh Khan dismissed KL Rahul and exerted more pressure. Trent Boult followed it up with an excellent penultimate over by conceding just six off it, and Sandeep Sharma, too, stemmed the run rate and kept Lucknow below 200 with an excellent final over. Lucknow just conceded 56 runs in the last five overs.

Despite facing early setbacks, KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda’s resilient partnership helped LSG post a competitive total against RR. However, RR’s bowlers fought back admirably in the latter stages, restricting LSG to a score below 200.

LSG break 200 runs total

The last five matches this season produced totals of 210, 224, 206, 261 and 257. But LSG finally break that run to finish on 196. Avesh, Boult and Sandeep allowed only 25 off the last three overs, as Ekana Stadium continues to see sub-200 totals.