Lucknow: Rajasthan Royals (RR), powered by a clinical bowling attack and a composed middle order, secured a commanding 40-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who fell well short in their chase of 160 and were bowled out for 119 , as RR secured a win after two consecutive losses in the32nd match of the IPL at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, April 22.
The match began with LSG winning the toss and electing to bowl first. RR’s young opening duo came out to bat, but the early pace attack of Shami dismissed Jaiswal (22 off 12 balls). Then, at No. 3, Dhruv Jurel was out for a duck off consecutive deliveries. Mohsin Khan increased the pressure in the next over by removing young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 8 runs.
Though he did not contribute much in this match, Sooryavanshi achieved a major milestone—becoming the youngest player ever to reach 500 IPL runs, surpassing Prithvi Shaw (19 years and 164 days), and also the fastest to the milestone by balls faced, getting there in just 227 deliveries—33 fewer than previous record-holder Glenn Maxwell. Overall, Sooryavanshi’s numbers underline his impact: 506 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.14 and a staggering strike rate above 213.
During the powerplay, RR lost three wickets and were reduced to 32/3 after four overs. Then skipper Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer tried to stabilize the innings but were dismissed by Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan. Parag scored 20 off 19 balls, while Hetmyer made 22 off 18 balls. RR slipped further to 77/5 after 11 overs. LSG showcased their bowling brilliance, with Mohsin Khan finishing his four overs with impressive figures of 2 for 17, including a maiden. Prince Yadav also bowled well, taking 2 wickets for 29 runs, while Shami picked up 2 wickets for 30 runs in his 4 overs.
Chasing 160, LSG began their innings in a disappointing manner. Ayush Badoni and Mitchell Marsh opened, but in the very first over, Badoni was run out without scoring due to a mix-up. Rishabh Pant came in early but was dismissed in the very next over by Nandre Burger for a duck. Aiden Markram followed and was dismissed by Jofra Archer for 0 in the third over, leaving LSG struggling at 11/3. Mitchell Marsh tried to anchor the innings with a solid contribution of 55 off 44 balls, but he failed to find support at the other end to build the partnership that was needed. Nicholas Pooran attempted to stabilize but was dismissed by Jadeja. As the required run rate climbed above 11, LSG’s middle order and finishers struggled to keep up. Marsh was dismissed in the 15.3 over after completing his half-century—his first of the season. Ravi Bishnoi and Brijesh Sharma picked up key wickets to dismantle the lower order. It was Jofra Archer who delivered the final blow. Returning for his second spell, Archer cleaned up the last ones, dismissing Mayank Yadav—courtesy of a superb catch behind the stumps by Dhruv Jurel—and Mohsin Khan in the 18th over to seal a convincing 40-run victory for RR, as LSG were bowled out for 119.
The victory marks a vital return to winning ways for Rajasthan Royals, solidifying their position in the top four. For Lucknow Super Giants, inconsistent batting once again proved costly. A fourth consecutive defeat and fifth overall in seven games leaves them in trouble as the tournament approaches its crucial phase. LSG will play their next match against KKR on April 26, while RR will face SRH on April 25.
