Rajasthan Royals will be looking to halt their current slide when they face Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL encounter in Lucknow on Wednesday. The immediate worry for RR is the form of their middle order, with skipper Riyan Parag at the centre of the concern, as the franchise attempts to recover after back-to-back defeats. Rajasthan are placed third in the points table, having started the campaign with four straight wins, but they have since stumbled in their most recent two matches.
Rajasthan’s recent setbacks and the Parag question
RR’s last outing ended in a heavy 57-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, with the match turning sharply after a disastrous collapse. Rajasthan lost five wickets for just nine runs during a critical phase, leaving them unable to recover. Before that, against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Royals also let a strong position slip. KKR’s Rinku Singh produced a dramatic turnaround, delivering the kind of finishing that handed KKR their first win in seven matches this season.
Parag’s struggles have been especially stark since he was named skipper in an unexpected move following Sanju Samson’s exit. Through six innings, he has managed three single-digit scores, with his best return so far only reaching 20. In a side where consistency in the middle overs is crucial, Parag’s inability to get going has put additional pressure on the batting unit.
Who’s carrying RR, and who hasn’t yet found rhythm
Rajasthan’s batting thrust this season has largely come from their top three: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel. Together, they have provided the main backbone for the team’s run-making. However, the Royals have often found it difficult to maintain momentum when those early contributions do not translate into a platform that lasts through the middle.
While Parag has been out of touch, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also appeared to be a step away from his earlier standards. Guyanese power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer, despite being in the mix, is yet to ignite at the level expected from him, with his current tally reading 39 runs across four innings.
Still, there is support around the skipper. Batting coach Vikram Rathour has backed Parag to bounce back, suggesting that poor returns are part of the game and that the batter will soon find his touch.
- Rathour said it is “just a matter of time” for Parag to return to form, adding that not every knock brings runs every time.
- He added that teams move through periods where players are in or out of form, and insisted Parag will come back and win games “on his own” as a batter.
Fielding lapses and the wider team picture vs LSG
Beyond batting, RR have also faced scrutiny over their fielding. In the match against KKR, Nandre Burger dropped Rinku on 8, a moment that proved costly as Rinku, together with Anukul Roy, swung the contest during the death overs. Despite those setbacks, RR are still viewed as a more settled unit than Lucknow, whose campaign has become increasingly tough.
LSG enter this game in ninth place, having lost three matches in a row. If Lucknow are to recover, they will likely need early breakthroughs against RR’s most reliable opening combination. Rajasthan boast one of the season’s sharper opening pairs: Sooryavanshi has been in strong form, while Jaiswal has continued to provide steady starts.
For LSG, getting wickets early is seen as essential to stay in the chase or control the run-rate. But it may not be straightforward because Lucknow’s bowling unit is under strain after being taken apart by Punjab Kings in their previous match.
How Punjab Kings dismantled LSG’s bowling
PBKS posted a season-high 254/7, powering their way to a 54-run victory. Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly drove the innings, stitching a massive 182-run partnership for the second wicket in only 13.2 overs. The stand created heavy pressure on the Lucknow attack from the outset.
- PBKS reached 254/7, the highest total of the season.
- Araya and Connolly combined for a 182-run second-wicket stand in 13.2 overs.
- Prince Yadav stood out for LSG with figures of 2/25.
- Avesh Khan and Mohammed Shami struggled to control the batting, and Manimaran Siddharth was also expensive.
LSG’s batting uncertainty and what they must fix
With their bowling already dented, LSG will also be hoping to exploit what they see as a vulnerable middle order for RR. However, Lucknow’s own batting setup looks unsettled as they continue to search for their best XI.
The move to bring Ayush Badoni into the opening slot alongside Mitchell Marsh did not bring the desired results. Marsh did produce back-to-back scores of 40, but still failed to convert those starts into bigger innings. Captain Rishabh Pant has likewise not been able to deliver consistently, while Nicholas Pooran’s poor run has added another layer of difficulty for the team.
For LSG to turn their fortunes around, both their batting and bowling will need to click together rather than relying on isolated contributions. If they cannot find collective rhythm, RR’s more established structure may hold the upper hand in Lucknow.
