Rajasthan Royals produced a much-needed response after consecutive defeats, overpowering Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round influence proved decisive: he guided RR to 159/6 after a shaky start, then backed it up with the ball as LSG were bowled out for 119 in 18 overs. The victory lifted Rajasthan to second place in the points table.
Rajasthan’s recovery and the scoreboard highlights
- Rajasthan finished their 20 overs on 159/6, powered by Jadeja’s composed 43 not out off 29 deliveries.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 22 from 12 balls, while the Lucknow bowling unit included Mohsin Khan (2/17), Prince Yadav (2/29) and Mohammed Shami (2/30).
- Lucknow’s chase ended at 119 all out in 18 overs, with Mitchell Marsh top-scoring at 55 off 41.
- Jofra Archer led the breakthrough with 3/20, Nandre Burger took 2/27, and Jadeja contributed 1/29.
- RR’s 40-run margin ensured they moved up to the second spot in the standings.
What shaped Rajasthan’s innings
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struggled for rhythm and faced just three balls, scoring eight before being left stranded at the non-striker’s end. The over in question turned ugly for RR’s batters when Shami struck Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel on successive deliveries, triggering pressure that eventually disrupted the youngster’s cameo.
Earlier momentum also slipped away quickly. Digvesh Rathi’s athletic running catch played a key role in halting RR’s top-order surge, with the visitors reeling to 32/3 after four overs. Even then, Rajasthan kept finding ways to rebuild.
Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer combined for a run-a-ball 30 partnership for the fourth wicket, steadying the innings after the early wobble. Still, it was Jadeja who truly anchored the recovery, stitching together two vital phases that pushed RR beyond the 150 mark.
- Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira added 33 together, with Ferreira striking 20 off 19 balls.
- Later, Jadeja built an unbeaten 49-run stand for the seventh wicket alongside Impact Sub Shivam Dubey, who finished with 19 not out off 11 deliveries.
- This late surge proved especially valuable during the slog overs, with the duo collecting 32 runs in the final two overs.
- Jadeja also took on an already expensive Mayank Yadav in the last over, keeping RR’s momentum flowing right to the end.
Lucknow’s chase: early blows and a mid-innings fightback
Lucknow began with a brief spark from Mitchell Marsh, who struck two crisp boundaries off Archer. However, wickets kept falling at the other end, and the chase never truly settled.
In the opening over, a mix-up robbed Ayush Badoni of his wicket. The second over brought further damage: Jofra Archer’s pressure resulted in Rishabh Pant being caught behind for a three-ball duck, and only one run came from that phase. Aiden Markram was next to go for zero as extra bounce and a top edge off Archer sent him back.
By the end of the Powerplay, Lucknow were already in trouble at 31/3, with both the required rate and the target working against them.
- Marsh then played a stabilising role, helping the innings recover after the early collapse.
- He partnered with Nicholas Pooran for a 43-run stand, with Pooran scoring 22 off 25 balls.
- Marsh also added 37 with Himmat Singh (15 off 15), allowing both batters to settle.
- Rajasthan’s spinners maintained tight control and prevented any sustained acceleration.
- Marsh reached his fifty off 39 balls, bringing it up with a six off Burger to signal entry into the death overs.
- Yet the breakthrough arrived immediately after: Marsh fell one ball later, giving RR another crucial opening.
Brijesh’s decisive over seals the result
With Lucknow still needing runs, Brijesh delivered the knockout blow. After Burger’s earlier impact, Brijesh removed Mukul Choudhary and then struck again two balls later to send away Mohammed Shami in the same over. LSG were reduced to 113/8, placing RR firmly in command.
From there, Archer efficiently handled the remaining batters and finished the job, ensuring Rajasthan won by 40 runs and improving their net run rate.
Next fixtures
- Rajasthan Royals: home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, April 25.
- Lucknow Super Giants: home match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, April 26.
