Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League, 2022

Prasidh comes 'round the wicket for the last ball of the innings and fires in a yorker, around off. Mohsin Khan digs it out towards covers and manages only a single. Rajasthan win by 24 runs!

Wide! A slower ball, full and well outside off. Mohsin Khan tries to reach out to slog but he does not get any bat on it. Wide called by the umpire.

A well-directed bumper, around middle. Mohsin Khan looks to pull but he misses.

Another slower ball, full and around off. Avesh Khan drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Avesh Khan swings hard but fails to get any blade on it.

Avesh Khan is in next to complete the formalities.

OUT! CAUGHT! Marcus Stoinis holes out and that is it for Lucknow! A slower ball, into the wicket, outside off. Stoinis looks to heave it away but the ball goes off the toe end of the bat, high in the night sky towards Riyan Parag at long on who takes a sitter. Stoinis departs.

SIX! A low full toss, around off. Stoinis stays low in his crease and powers it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl the final over. 34 needed and Marcus Stoinis will be on strike.

EDGED AND FOUR! Good-length ball, outside off. Khan throws his bat at it. The ball takes the thick outside edge and flies over the short third man fielder for a boundary. 15 runs off the over. 34 runs needed off 6 balls.

Swing and a miss! A slower ball, into the surface, outside off. Mohsin Khan swings hard but he fails to get any bat on it.

A full ball, outside off. Khan drives it through covers and collects a couple of runs.

Wide again! The slower ones are going all wrong. Down the leg side again, Khan tries to get some bat behind it but misses.

Wide! Slower one, on a length but down the leg side, Khan tries to heave but misses.

NOT OUT! A top effort nonetheless from Riyan Parag! This is a full ball, outside off. Stoinis heaves it uppishly, wide of the long on fielder. Parag there, moves quickly to his right, puts a dive in front and grabs the ball. He begins his celebration but the umpires take it upstairs. The replays show that the ball clearly bounced before it went into Parag's palms. A single taken and Stoinis won't be on strike.

Riyan Parag has taken a stunning catch in the deep. It was dying in front of him and he dived to grab it. He is claiming the catch and celebrating. The umpires though have decided to check it upstairs. Meanwhile, Obed McCoy is getting his right leg treated. Right then, the replays show that it has touched the ground before going into the hands.

FOUR! A slower ball into the wicket, outside off. Stoinis stays back and heaves it wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder to bag a boundary.

Samson has a word with his bowler.

Wide! A slower ball, but way wide outside off, Stoinis leaves it alone. Wided!

Obed McCoy is down on the ground and James Neesham is giving him some stretching on the right leg. Perhaps, cramps. The physio rushes out but then returns as Obed McCoy is back on his feet.

A slower ball, full and on middle. Khan pushes it to long on for a single.

SIX! BOOM! Finally, Marcus Stoinis gets hold of one! This is tossed up, in the slot, around middle. Stoinis gets down and sends it sailing over long on for a biggie. 49 runs needed off 12 balls.

Full and outside off. Mohsin Khan drags it to long on for one run.

Tossed up, outside off. Marcus Stoinis kneels and mistimes his slog, wide of the long on fielder. Riyan Parag gets to the ball quickly and they manage only a run.

Short and outside off. Stoinis cuts it through the cover region and takes a couple of runs this time.

Floated, on a length, on middle. Marcus Stoinis heaves it to the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder (Devdutt Padikkal) who does well to stop the ball. No run taken again.

A flatter ball, on middle. Stoinis drags it to deep mid-wicket but doesn't take a run.

Mohsin Khan is the new batter. 59 needed off 18 balls and expect Marcus Stoinis to take the maximum strike from here. Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl...

OUT! BOWLED! Another one bites the dust! A length ball, around middle. Chameera stays back and has a wild swing at it. He misses and the ball crashes onto the middle pole. Delight for McCoy and Rajasthan are all over Lucknow at the moment.

A yorker-length ball, around off. Chameera digs it out to the right of the bowler. McCoy moves there quickly and stops the ball.

Dushmantha Chameera walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! McCoy wins the battle of the West Indians and Lucknow slip further! A full ball, outside off. Holder sits back and looks to drive it through the line. Although, the ball goes off the outside edge towards the keeper and Sanju Samson makes no mistake.

McCoy hits the deck hard, on middle, Stoinis pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Full and outside off. Holder drags it past the cover fielder for a single.

Wide! A loopy slower ball, well outside off. Holder lets it be. Wided!

Full and outside off. Stoinis works it to long off for a run.

Jason Holder is the new batter. 63 needed off 24 balls. Also, Obed McCoy is back into the attack.

OUT! STUMPED! Excellent bowling from Chahal and this is a massive wicket for Rajasthan! Chahal bowls it slower through the air, on a length, around middle. Hooda skips down the track and looks to heave it away. However, he only manages a thick inside edge, onto his pad and the ball rolls towards the keeper. Sanju Samson is hurried there as the ball slips from his grasp and touches the stumps. The bails don't come off though. Now Samson picks up the ball and tries to disturb the stumps again but in the process, he loses the ball. Sanju Samson wants to be very sure, so he picks up the ball and uproots one stump. Deepak Hooda never tried to return during that period. The third umpire finds everything fine and it's a body blow to Lucknow's chances.

What happened there? Deepak Hooda is stumped but the third umpire is referred just to make sure that Sanju Samson has broken the stumps cleanly, with the ball in his hands.

A quicker ball, into the surface, on off. Stoinis flat-bats it towards long on for a run.

Floated, full and on off. Hooda mistimes his slog-sweep towards deep mid-wicket for only a single.

Quicker through the air, on a length, around middle. Hooda nudges it to the leg side and comes back for the second run. Good running between the wickets.

Wide! A loopy ball, down leg. Hooda lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

FOUR! Cut away! Short and outside off. Hooda sits back and cuts it hard, past the backward point fielder for a boundary.

Hooda skips down so Chahal serves a quicker ball, around middle. Hooda keeps it out.

Yuzvendra Chahal (2-0-23-0) is back on.

Lands it very full and on off, Hooda walks across and clubs it down to long off for a run. 9 from the over is not a bad result for Rajasthan. Boult has bowled out, 2 for 18 in his 4 overs. 72 needed off 30 balls.

FIFTY FOR HOODA! A very responsible knock from him, but can he see his team home? Fuller and outside off, Deepak Hooda eases it through extra cover for a couple.

Streaky again. Full and wide outside off, Marcus Stoinis throws his bat at it and inside-edges it behind. Samson makes a partial stop and they cross for a run.

Very full and around off, Hooda shuffles across the stumps and knocks it down to long on for a run.

EDGY FOUR! Identical to the last delivery, once again Hooda chases and this time he gets it away off the bottom edge. It rolls past short third man and finds the fence.

Play and a miss! Trent Boult fires across a full ball wide outside off, and Deepak Hooda chases but misses.

Strategic break! The wicket of Krunal Pandya has ensured that Rajasthan are in the driver's seat. Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled exceptionally well and Lucknow will need to bat out of their skins to chase down the total now. Also, they don't bat deep, as Jason Holder is the only recognized batter remaining in the dugout. They require 81 runs off 36 balls and we are in for an exciting finish here. Trent Boult comes back into the attack now.

Quicker and on off, punched to covers. Ashwin has bowled out now. 4-0-24-1, brilliant effort.

Slightly short and outside off, Deepak Hooda stays back and places it to the right side of backward point for a run.

Short and outside off, Marcus Stoinis forces it from the back foot to deep cover for one.

Tossed up, around off, defended back.

Fuller and on off, it's swept aerially but safely to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Marcus Stoinis is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! The tag-team effort has done it cleanly near the fence, outstanding presence of mind shown by Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag. The partnership that was blossoming is nipped in the bud. Rajasthan are celebrating big time. The third umpire is referred and he finds nothing wrong with the catch. Coming to the delivery, it's fuller and around off, Krunal tries to power it over long on but doesn't get enough distance. Jos Buttler jumps and takes the catch near the fence, and then he parries it to Riyan Parag who has come across to his left from long off. Parag jumps to catch the ball over his head. 85 needed off 41 balls.

Is that a clean catch? Great tag-team effort in the deep from Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag and Krunal Pandya might be a goner! Yes, the replays show that Buttler got rid of the ball before going over the ropes and Pandya walks back to the hut.

Delivers it on a length and outside off, Krunal goes through with his lofted shot and sends it down to long off. Only a run. 6 singles from the over.

Another slower one, short and outside off, Hooda mistimes his shot to extra cover. A single is taken.

Pitches it up, around off, Krunal drills his drive to extra cover where James Neesham makes an outstanding half-stop. They cross for a run.

Pace off, short and wide outside off at 111.4 kph, Hooda hangs back and slaps it down to long off for a run.

Angling in from a good length around off, Pandya works it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Slower delivery, dipping in full and around middle, Hooda pushes it to covers for a run. Obed McCoy is down in his followthrough.

Obed McCoy (1-0-10-0) comes back to bowl.

Flighted and on off, defended back to the bowler. 91 needed off 48 balls.

Fires it in, very full and on middle, Hooda skips down the track and digs it out to long on. Takes a single.

FOUR! Poor from Obed McCoy. Carrom ball, around off, Deepak Hooda goes back to cut but gets an outside edge. It clips the thumb of Samson and races behind. McCoy is late with his dive from short third man and it races away.

Very full and on off, Krunal Pandya uses his feet and knocks it down to long off for one.

Trent Boult is back on the field. Great news.

Full and outside off, driven to deep cover for a run.

A touch short and around leg, Hooda jumps down the track and pushes it to extra cover. They cross for a run as the fielder scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The ball deflects to long on and they cross for another run. The umpire checks for the run out but Hooda is safely in.

13 from the over! Walks down the track and drives a full ball to point. The fielder fumbles slightly and makes the single easy. The 50-run stand comes up.

Quicker one, short and on leg, Krunal helps it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Almost a return catch! Yuzvendra Chahal senses the charge from the batter and lets out a googly around leg. Krunal Pandya tries to defend but it takes the leading edge and pops out back towards the bowler. Chahal dives forward but it lands in front of him.

Shortish and on middle, Hooda goes back to flick but it takes the inner edge and rolls behind square leg for one.

FOUR! Shot! Full again, around middle, Deepak Hooda goes down on one knee and blazes it away via a neat sweep shot. It races through square leg and finds the fence.

SIX! High and handsome! Floated delivery, full and around off, Hooda advances down to the pitch of the ball and lofts it cleanly over wide long off for a biggie.

Change in bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal returns to bowl his second over.

On a length, around middle and leg. Hooda flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

A huge appeal for LBW but the umpire says no! This is a quicker ball, landing around middle and turning in sharply. Hooda looks to flick it off his back foot but he misses and gets pinged on his pad. Sanju Samson and Ravichandran Ashwin have a word but they don't opt for a review. That might have spun down leg. Nope, the replays show that the ball would have just clipped the leg stump.

On a length, around middle. Deepak Hooda prods and pushes it back to the bowler.

A loopy ball, on middle. Hooda skips down the track and flicks it wide of the long on fielder. Riyan Parag there moves quickly to his right and dives full-stretch to save a couple of runs for his side.

Wide! A wayward ball, down leg. Hooda lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

Tossed up, outside off. Pandya drives it down to long off and rotates the strike.

An arm ball, on a length, coming in with the angle, from off. Krunal Pandya pushes it towards extra cover.

Strategic break. Rajasthan have gained the upper hand in this match after a brilliant Powerplay. They claimed three wickets in it which includes the wicket of KL Rahul. With the linchpin of Lucknow's batting removed, Rajasthan would try to pile on the pressure in the middle overs. Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda have spent some time in the middle, but with the required rate almost touching 11, they will have to start attacking more.

Another slow dipping ball outside off. Pandya reaches out and pushes it out to point for a run. 118 needed off 66 balls.

Leg bye! A slower ball, on a length, around leg. Deepak Hooda misses his flick and gets hit on his pad. The batters sneak in a leg bye as the ball rolls to the leg side.

SIX! That was indeed a 'HIT ME' ball! A short ball, down leg. Hooda hangs back and swivel-pulls it over the fine leg region for a biggie.

Trent Boult has gone off the field. His head hit the ground during his diving effort and it seems he is feeling the after-effect.

A loopy slower ball, outside off. Deepak Hooda gets deceived by the change of pace and fails to get any bat on it.

Excellent effort from Trent Boult in the deep to save a run for his side! A full ball, outside off. Pandya drives it through the extra cover region. Boult in the deep runs to his left, puts in a dive and prevents a boundary.

McCoy hits the deck hard, outside off. Pandya looks to guide it past the short third man fielder but Yuzvendra Chahal there does well to stop it with a dive.

Obed McCoy comes into the attack now.

Floated, on a length, just outside off. Pandya works it uppishly through mid off and retains the strike with a single. Good start from Ashwin, 6 runs off his first over!

Slightly shorter in length, around middle. Deepak Hooda sits back and punches it to long on for a run.

On a length, around leg. Krunal Pandya works it towards deep mid-wicket. A single taken!

This is another quicker ball, around off. Hooda makes room on the off side and slaps it through covers for a single.

A quicker ball, on middle. Pandya nudges it to the leg side for one run.

In the air and just past the fielder! Ashwin starts with a carrom ball, on a length and around off. Hooda looks to flick but he gets a leading edge, just past the diving fielder (James Neesham) at extra cover for a run.

Spin from both ends. Ravichandran Ashwin is ready to bowl...

Sensible from Hooda. Floated, full and around off. Deepak Hooda eases it to long on and settles for a single. 10 runs off the over!

Slower through the air, on middle and turning in late. Pandya tucks it to the leg side for one run.

SIX! SMASHED! This is tossed up, in the slot, around off. Pandya's eyes lit up and he smokes it way over long on for a maximum.

Floated, full and around middle, Deepak Hooda flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Uppish but just past the bowler. A googly, full and around off. Pandya chips it uppishly, to the left of Chahal who fails to reach it with a dive. The batters take a run.

Chahal begins with a loopy ball, full and around off. Pandya defends it to the off side.

Change in bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal is introduced into the attack.

Leg bye! A length ball, around leg, from 'round the wicket. Krunal Pandya misses his flick and gets hit on his pad. The ball rolls behind square on the leg side for a leg bye. Lucknow are 34/3 at the end of the Powerplay.

FOUR! Nicely played! On a length, just outside off. Pandya hangs back and just works it past the backward point fielder. The ball races away for a boundary.

Fuller in length, around leg. Pandya prods and pushes it towards mid on.

Krunal Pandya is the new batter. 150 needed off 87 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT! KL Rahul tries to be aggressive but ends up losing his wicket in the process. This is a back-of-a-length delivery, around off and cramping the batter for room as it shapes back in. KL Rahul sits back and looks to cut it over the infield. Although, he fails to get the desired elevation and finds Yashasvi Jaiswal at cover-point, who hops and takes a sharp catch. This is a massive wicket for Rajasthan as they see the back of Lucknow's skipper.

Short of a length, around off. KL Rahul defends it to the off side.

SIX! Take that, says KL Rahul! A length ball, outside off. Rahul stands tall and powers it way over the extra cover fence for a biggie. That is a typical KL Rahul shot! Class written all over it.

Full and wide outside off, Hooda reaches out for it and drives but finds the fielder at point. Another great over from the Kiwi!

Slightly short and around leg, Rahul gets back and helps it to square leg for a run.

Spears it in, very full and on off, swinging in the air, KL Rahul keeps it out safely to mid on.

In the region outside off, angling away, Rahul keeps his bat close to his body and makes a leave.

Lands it on a length and on off, Rahul pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Beauty from Boult! The Kiwi angles across a length ball around off, holding its line, Rahul is stuck on the back foot as he tamely pushes inside the line and gets beaten.

A touch short in length and outside off, KL guides it down to third man for a run. Top over from Krishna.

Short and wide outside off, Rahul cuts it off his back foot but finds the fielder at point.

Prasidh Krishna digs it in short, outside off, Rahul drops his wrists and allows it through to the keeper.

Back of a length, on off, Rahul looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

In the channel outside off, on a length and skidding straight on, Rahul shoulders arms.

That is defended solidly off the front foot.

Around middle, on a length, Hooda helps it to short mid-wicket. End of an eventful over.

Short in length and outside off, Hooda taps it down to third man and takes two.

FOUR! Shot of a batter in prime form. Fuller and around off, Deepak Hooda strides forward and crunches it through covers for a glorious boundary.

Edgy! Boult takes a length ball away with the angle, Hooda plays inside the line and gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls in front of first slip. Rahul shows interest in a run and rushes out but he returns after seeing the back of his partner.

Deepak Hooda walks out to bat.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Ayush Badoni has a very nervous look on his face. He looks at his skipper and then reviews the decision. A perfect inswinger from Trent Boult to greet the new batter. It's on a length around off at 138.5 kph. Ayush Badoni shows no footwork as he attempts to work it on the leg side. He is beaten comprehensively and is pinged on the pads. The appeal is made and the finger goes up. The third umpire finds no bat on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows three reds. Boult is on a hat-trick!

Ayush Badoni walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Boult steams in and delivers it a touch short outside off at 134.4 kph. The ball lands and shape away a touch as de Kock rocks back to slap it through the line. He doesn't bother to keep it down and James Neesham at point grabs a very low catch. He is claiming it and de Kock starts to walk. Hang on, the two umpires want to get it checked and go upstairs. A couple of angles are enough to suggest that it's a neat catch. De Kock departs.

Is that a clean catch? James Neesham has taken a really good low catch at point but the umpires have taken it upstairs. The replays show that it is indeed a clean catch by Neesham.

In the channel outside off, going straight on, Rahul offers no shot on this occasion. 12 from the over.

Stays back and helps it through square leg for a run.

FIVE WIDES! Prasidh Krishna bangs in a short delivery, down the leg side, Quinton de Kock tries to pull but misses. Samson gets his gloves on it but the ball still races away to the fence at fine leg.

JUST SHORT! Short in length, wide outside off, Rahul throws his bat at it and edges it down to third man. McCoy takes a late call to not go for the catch and allows the ball to drop in front of him. They get a single.

Delivers it on a length, around off, de Kock bunts it down to mid off and scampers across to the other end.

Back of a length, around off, de Kock plays it down from the back foot to point.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Fuller in length, around off, Quinton de Kock shows the full face of the bat and caresses it straight down the ground for a boundary. Delightful.

Who will bowl from the other end? Prasidh Krishna it is.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and defends it to the off side. A good first over from the Kiwi.

Boult sticks to over the wicket this time for Rahul. Serves it around off, angling away, Rahul stays back and plays it down to cover-point.

Angling down the leg side, on a length, de Kock fails to flick and it goes off his pads to the right of the keeper. They steal a leg bye.

Fuller and around leg, de Kock flicks but finds square leg.

Angles in a length ball around off, Rahul presses forward to cover the line and pushes it gently to covers for one.

KL Rahul didn't take the first ball but is now on strike. He was bowled for a golden duck in the reverse fixture by a beauty from Boult. What's in store this evening? Trent Boult has switched to 'round the wicket angle, like the last time...

Starts by serving a length ball on off, de Kock taps it down on the off side and takes a sharp single.

In the line of the stumps, very full and this time Ashwin forces it down to wide long on for a couple. 10 from the last over and Rajasthan finish on 178/6.

FOUR! Not from the middle of the bat but it just raced away. Fuller in length, around middle, Ravichandran Ashwin clears his front leg and winds up for a big heave. It takes the inner half and speeds away to the deep mid-wicket fence, beating the desperate dive near the fence.

A low full toss outside off, Boult digs it out and the ball bounces behind the bowler. They cross for a run.

Play and a miss! Slower one, a touch short and around leg, Boult clears his front leg and tries to heave across the line but misses.

Avesh Khan fails to nail his yorker and it's a low full toss around middle, Boult drags his attempted heave to deep square leg. They push hard and get the second run.

On a length and outside off, Ashwin plays a mistimed lofted shot over mid on for a run.

Who will bowl the last over of the innings? Avesh Khan it is.

In the air... lands safely. Short and on off, Boult goes deep inside the crease and lofts it over extra cover. It falls in no man's land and the batters get another couple. 14 from the over.

Very full and around off, Trent Boult squeezes it out to short third man where the fielder gets an important touch and deflects it to deep point. Saves two runs.

Lands it on a length, around leg, Ashwin uses his bottom hand there and whips it through square leg for a run.

This shot reminds us that he is a tail-ender. Back of a length, around middle, Trent Boult steps back to pull on the leg side but it goes through mid off. They collect a run.

FOUR! Trent Boult is showing his batting skills here. Fuller this time from the bowler, slower in pace, Boult picks it up and smacks it over extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Boult will certainly enjoy this shot. Short in length, around off, Trent Boult gives himself some room and whacks it past mid off for a boundary.

Too full and on off, forced down to long off for one. Two wickets in the over to stop Rajasthan's charge.

On middle, helped to mid-wicket for a run.

OUT! Run out! Floated delivery, full and around off, Ashwin drives it straight to extra cover and Neesham comes out of the crease in search of a run. Ashwin stands there outside his crease, watching the fielder (KL Rahul) throw the ball to the bowler. He then tries to cross Neesham and sacrifice himself as Bishnoi collects the ball and breaks the stumps. The third umpire is referred and the replays show that the batters didn't cross. Neesham will have to depart and he is replaced by Trent Boult.

A run out! But the umpires have sent it upstairs to check if the batters crossed before Ravi Bishnoi disturbed the stumps at his end. The replays show that James Neesham failed to go past Ravichandran Ashwin at the striker's end and it is Neesham who has to walk back to the hut.

Tossed up, around off, Neesham taps it down to point for a run.

Flatter and shorter on off, Ashwin strokes it from the back foot to cover-point for one.

Wide! Turning down the leg side, Ashwin tries to flick but misses.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the next batter in.

OUT! Parag departs and this is a quality catch in the deep by Marcus Stoinis. A long hop, around middle, Riyan Parag turns and tries to power his pull shot over the fence at deep mid-wicket. But his shot lacks the desired elevation and Marcus Stoinis completes a brilliant diving catch near the fence. A short cameo from Parag is over.

Short and wide outside off, slapped to deep cover for a run. 12 from the over.

Top class running between the wickets. A length ball, around leg, Parag tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to mid-wicket and the bowler stands there looking to appeal. The batters spot the chance and scamper back for the second run. It's given as runs, so maybe there was some inside edge.

Short in length, around off and slower in pace, Parag pulls it powerfully over mid-wicket. It falls safely in the empty pocket in the deep and Hooda stops it by running to his right from long on. Two runs taken.

SIX! Out of here! Mohsin Khan delivers it in the hitting arc of the batter, Riyan Parag clears his front leg and muscles it over wide long on. That's a huge hit.

Around off, on a length, Riyan defends it down on the pitch.

Shortish and outside off, Neesham steers it past the diving backward point fielder. They collect a single.

Mohsin Khan (2-0-17-0) is back on.

Tossed up, full and on middle, it's slogged to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

PARAG IS SAFE! A moment of brilliance from Quinton de Kock nearly paid off. A quicker delivery, full and skidding down the leg side. Parag tries to flick but misses. De Kock collects the ball, pauses for a while, and then breaks the stumps. He appeals and it's referred upstairs. The third umpire first checks for the edge but there is no bat and it has clipped the pads. The side-on angle shows that Parag has his back foot grounded inside the crease.

Stumping-check! Quinton de Kock has grabbed the ball cleanly down leg and he has whipped the bails off with his right hand. However, the replays suggest that Riyan Parag had his back foot grounded while the bails came off.

Beauty! A well-disguised wrong 'un, landing outside off and turning in, Parag tries to drive but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Flatter and shorter outside off, Neesham rocks back and pulls it firmly to wide long on for a run.

Googly, landing around off and turning away, Neesham has a big swing at it but fails to connect.

FOUR! Great shot! Too full in length, around middle, James Neesham goes with the spin and whips it to the deep mid-wicket fence.

On a length, outside off. Neesham runs it down to long off for a run.

A stifled appeal for LBW from Krunal Pandya but the umpire is not interested! Quicker through the air, on a length, around leg. James Neesham misses his sweep and gets hit on his pad. The replays show that the ball was pitched way outside leg.

On a length, just outside off. James Neesham punches it towards covers.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Mohsin Khan's tough time in the field continues! This is a full ball, around off. Neesham kneels and brings out the reverse sweep. Mohsin Khan at short third man moves to his left to stop the ball but it goes past him and races away to the fence.

A bit slower through the air, around off. Parag eases it to long off for a single.

A quicker ball, full and around off. James Neesham pushes it wide of the extra cover fielder and gets to the other end.

Strategic break. A lovely passage of play for Lucknow as they removed Samson, Jaiswal and Padikkal in quick succession. All the set batters are back in the hut and Lucknow will aim to capitalize on those timely breakthroughs. Rajasthan don't bat too deep and the current pair will have to navigate them to a challenging total.

This is a full ball, outside off. Neesham prods and drives it to long off for an easy single.

Floated, full and around off. James Neesham pushes it back to the bowler.

James Neesham is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another set batter holes out and this is a huge moment in this game as Devdutt Padikkal was looking in the mood. Bishnoi serves a googly, full and just outside off. Padikkal kneels and looks for yet another slog-sweep. Although, he mistimes his shot this time and the ball goes to Krunal Pandya at deep mid-wicket who takes a tumbling catch to his right. Lucknow are back in the contest now!

Short and outside off. Padikkal rocks back and cuts it behind square on the off side for a couple of runs.

FOUR! SMASHED! Tosses it up, around off. Padikkal gets down and smacks it wide of the long on fielder for yet another boundary.

An overpitched ball, around off. Devdutt Padikkal digs it out towards extra cover.

This is a quicker ball, around leg. Parag misses his flick and gets hit on his pad. Outside the line though!

On a length, around middle. Devdutt Padikkal nudges it through mid-wicket and settles for a single.

SIX! This is dragged down, on leg. Padikkal rocks back and launches it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Padikkal is playing a blinder for his side here.

A quicker ball, going on with the angle, from middle. Parag works it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Nicely tossed up, around off. Parag waits for the turn and taps it towards backward point.

This is darted on the pads. Padikkal flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Bowling change. Here comes Krunal Pandya. He's the 8th bowler to be used by Lucknow.

Slightly short and outside off. Riyan Parag cuts it past the backward point fielder and comes back for the second run. 6 runs and a wicket off the over.

Slower through the air, on a length, outside off. Riyan Parag mistimes his heave, wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a brace.

Around off. Devdutt Padikkal eases it to long on for a single.

Leg bye! Floated, around leg. Parag misses his flick and gets hit on his pad. The ball rolls to the leg side for a leg bye.

Riyan Parag is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The ploy to bring on an off-spinner against two left-handed batters has done wonders for Lucknow! Badoni tosses it up, on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal kneels and looks to slog-sweep but the ball goes off the top edge and goes high in the night sky. Ayush Badoni runs to his left, settles under it and takes a really good catch. Rajasthan lose a set batter now and this is a timely wicket for Lucknow.

Tossed up, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal drives hard but straight to KL Rahul at extra cover.

Ayush Badoni to bowl his offies.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A length ball, darted on the pads. Devdutt Padikkal stays back and tickles it through to the fine leg region to bag a boundary. 100 comes up for Rajasthan!

A short ball, around leg. Devdutt Padikkal looks to pull but he gets a bit late on it. The ball hits the top edge and lands just behind the keeper for a brace.

FOUR! Not where the batter intended it to go but Rajasthan will take that anyway! Chameera serves a length ball, around off. Devdutt Padikkal skips down the track and looks to heave it away through mid-wicket. The ball hits the splice of his bat and goes over the mid off fielder. KL Rahul gives it a chase, puts in a dive in front of the ropes but fails to stop it cleanly. The ball touches the ropes.

Chameera runs in and hits the deck hard, around off. Padikkal sits back and defends it to the off side.

On a length, around off. Padikkal looks to steer it through the third man region but it takes the thick outside edge and lands just in front of Quinton de Kock behind the sticks.

Back of a length, around middle. Yashasvi Jaiswal tucks it to the leg side and takes a single.

Dushmantha Chameera (2-0-24-0) is back on.

FOUR! Shot! Back of a length, around off and angling away, Padikkal rocks back and whacks it through covers for a boundary. 15 from the over! Rajasthan are 90/2 at the halfway mark.

A touch short and on middle, Devdutt Padikkal defends it down.

SIX! This one is as straight as a die. The length is full and around middle, Devdutt Padikkal goes straight and clears the fence with brilliant timing.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Fuller in length and around off, Devdutt Padikkal shows the full face of the bat and drives it down to mid off. Jason Holder slides to his left to stop the ball but misfields and it races away to the fence.

On a length and around middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it down to wide long on for a run.

What a delivery! Marcus Stoinis begins his spell by running his fingers over the ball. It's a slower cutter, on a length and outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pushes inside the line and misses.

Marcus Stoinis comes to bowl now.

Back of a length, around off and angling away, Devdutt Padikkal taps it down to cover-point. Krunal Pandya attacks the ball to his right and has an immediate shy at the bowler's end but it hits the bat of Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Devdutt Padikkal walks out to bat.

OUT! Samson holes out! A bit of pace on this delivery, it's full and around off at 130.2 kph, Sanju Samson attempts to power it over extra cover but only manages to slice it over cover-point. A simple catch for Deepak Hooda in the deep and yet another promising knock from Sanju Samson ends abruptly. Lucknow will be delighted to see the back of Samson and break the dangerous partnership.

Misses out! Width offered outside off, short in length, Sanju Samson plays a well-timed square cut but finds the fielder inside the ring.

Takes the pace off this one and serves it short and wide, Yashasvi Jaiswal slaps it to deep cover for one.

A low dipping full ball around leg, Samson knocks it down to long on for a run.

Short in length, around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Stylish! Sanju Samson started the over with an inside-out shot over extra cover and ends it similarly. Flighted delivery, full and outside off, Samson puts it away in style to earn yet another boundary. 12 from the over!

A low full toss around leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to flick but it takes the leading half of his blade and goes past the bowler to long on. Another run added to the total.

Short and around leg, Samson pulls it to deep backward square leg for a run.

Flatter and shorter, on off, it's punched off the back foot to covers.

Floated again, full and around off, Samson hammers it down to long off. Marcus Stoinis attempts to take the catch but it falls short and the Aussie does well to have his body behind to stop the ball from racing away. Saves two runs.

FOUR! Lovely strike over the infield! Loopy and full, around off and turning away, Sanju Samson clears his front leg and lofts it nonchalantly over extra cover. The fielder tries to cut it off in the deep but fails. The 50-run stand comes up!

Time for some spin as Ravi Bishnoi comes into the attack.

Angling in around middle and leg, Samson eases it down to long on for a run.

FOUR! Boom! Jason Holder delivers it short and around off, Sanju Samson stands tall inside the crease and powers his pull shot in front of square on the leg side. The deep mid-wicket fielder reacts to his right but has no chance of cutting it off.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal lifts his front leg and glances it behind square leg for one.

Slower length ball, around off at 128.4 clicks, Samson stands inside the crease and works it to the right side of the mid-wicket fielder. They cross for a single.

Around off, on a good length, Yashasvi Jaiswal plays late and guides it down to third man for a run.

Starts by serving a length ball outside off, Samson drives it on the up and sends it to deep point. They take a single.

Strategic break! Rajasthan have gotten off to a flying start, in spite of losing their premier batter Jos Buttler for a timid score. Jaiswal has come out with great intent from ball one and Lucknow will need to break this dangerous-looking stand between Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal sooner rather than later. Jason Holder to bowl after the break.

Around leg, on a length, Yashasvi helps it to mid-wicket. 21 runs from the over, Rajasthan are 51/1 after the Powerplay!

Slight halt in play. The ball has gone out of the ground and the umpires have called for a replacement.

SIX! Go fetch that! The ball has disappeared, it's out of the park. Wow, Yashasvi is making a statement. Back of a length, around middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal rides the bounce and hammer-pulls it in front of square on the leg side. It goes on the roof of the stand there.

FOUR! Another boundary in the over! Dushmantha Chameera returns from over the wicket and digs in a short ball around leg, at 143.7 kph, Yashasvi Jaiswal swivels on the back foot and pulls it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Well bowled! A very full ball around leg, Jaiswal steps back and drives but finds mid off.

FOUR! Fine shot! Dushmantha Chameera comes from 'round the wicket and delivers a low full toss outside off at 143 clicks, Yashasvi Jaiswal drills his drive through cover. There is a sweeper in place but it's too quick for him. Also, the siren has gone off. It's a no ball and Free Hit is loading...

Miscued! Dushmantha Chameera delivers it on a length around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to heave it across the line but mistimes it high in the air. It drops safely at long on and Jason Holder chases it down. They take two runs.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal wants to maximize the final over of the Powerplay. It's full and around off, Jaiswal tries to hammer it over covers but ends up slicing it behind backward point. Gets the desired result.

Dushmantha Chameera to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Another swing and a miss! Slightly short and outside off. Sanju Samson throws his bat at it but doesn't make any connection.

Play and a miss! Back of a length, well outside off. Sanju Samson looks to cut hard but he fails to get any blade on it.

DROPPED! Hard hands from Mohsin Khan at short fine leg! This is a length ball, around leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal whips it behind square on the leg side. The ball goes to the right of Mohsin Khan at short fine leg, who drops a sitter. The batters sneak in a single.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to make room by stepping down the leg side but Avesh Khan follows him with a length delivery. He tries to cramp the batter for room but Yashasvi Jaiswal goes through with his lofted shot and places it behind the bowler to find the fence.

That is a peach of a delivery from Avesh Khan! Good-length ball, around off and shaping away late. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to defend but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Excellent bowling.

On a length, around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back and pushes it towards cover.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! This is a length ball, outside off. Samson stands tall and bludgeons it through the extra cover region. The ball races away to the fence.

Mohsin changes his angle and comes 'round the wicket. He serves a length ball, around off, cramping the batter for room. Samson only manages to push it to the leg side.

Mohsin hits the deck hard, around off. Samson punches hard but Marcus Stoinis at cover dives and stops the ball.

Good-length delivery, around middle. Samson nudges it towards mid-wicket.

Wide! A short ball, down leg. Samson lets it be. Quinton de Kock behind the sticks dives to his left and does well to stop the ball. Wide called by the umpire.

A bit fuller this time, around middle, Sanju Samson tucks it to mid-wicket.

EDGED AND FOUR! Back of a length, angling across the batter, from the off pole. Samson hangs back and looks to cut. Although, he only manages a thick outside edge that flies past Jason Holder at first slip for a boundary.

Change of ends for Mohsin Khan.

Short of a length, outside off. Samson punches it towards deep cover and takes a run. He will retain the strike. End of a successful over for Lucknow!

A short ball, outside off. Samson sits back and lets it through to the keeper.

A length ball, angling away from outside off. Sanju Samson looks to drive on the up but the ball goes past the outside edge.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! A full ball, around middle and leg. Samson flicks it through the mid-wicket region and bags a boundary.

Who will bat at number 3 today for Rajasthan? It's Sanju Samson.

OUT! TIMBER! You miss, I hit, says Avesh Khan! This is a length ball, around off at 136.8 kph. Buttler shuffles across way too much in order to scoop it over short fine leg. He misses it completely and the ball cannons onto the off pole. Avesh is ecstatic as this is a huge wicket for Lucknow! Rajasthan lose their star batter of the season.

Avesh begins with a full ball, just outside off. Buttler gets forward and mistimes his drive towards mid off.

Avesh Khan to bowl the third over, replacing Mohsin Khan at this end.

On a length, around the fifth stump channel. Buttler stands tall and pushes it wide of the mid off fielder. KL Rahul runs to his left and keeps it to just one. A tidy start from Chameera, just 3 runs off the over!

Slightly full this time, outside off. Buttler prods and defends it to the off side.

BEATEN! This is a length ball, jagging back in sharply, from outside off. Buttler looks to drive on the up but the ball sneaks through the gap between his bat and pad. This is excellent bowling from Dushmantha Chameera!

Back of a length, around off and cramping the batter for room. Yashasvi Jaiswal steers it behind square on the off side and rotates the strike.

On a length, around middle. Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back to block but he gets a thick inside edge onto his pad. Good line and length from the Sri Lankan!

The players from both sides are sporting a black armband in memory of Andrew Symonds.

Chameera starts with a length ball, outside off. Buttler looks to drive but the ball jags away late and takes the outside edge of his bat towards third man. Buttler gets off the mark with a run.

Dushmantha Chameera to speed in from the other end.

FOUR! A wayward ball, angled on the pads. Yashasvi Jaiswal picks it up and smashes it through the square leg region for another boundary. 8 runs of the first over.

FOUR! Finds the gap this time and Rajasthan are up and running! Good-length ball, around the off pole. Yashasvi Jaiswal sits back and caresses it past the cover fielder for a boundary. Top shot!

Make that four in a row! Slightly short and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal taps it towards cover-point and looks for a single but is sent back by his partner.

Swing and a miss! A length ball, shaping away from outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to go downtown but he fails to make any connection. Three dots in a row.

Another ball that is short of a length, just outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back and mistimes his cut shot towards Deepak Hooda at backward point.

Cut hard but straight to the fielder! Back of a length, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal sits back and cuts but finds the point fielder.

Time to play the game! Lucknow are done with the customary huddle and now their players are spreading on the field. Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the openers for Rajasthan. The former has lost a bit of steam of late but the latter has found some form in the last two games. The Pink team would hope that both click this evening and provide them with a strong start. Mohsin Khan to start proceedings with the new ball. The countdown is over, let's play...

KL Rahul, the captain of Lucknow, says that they wanted to bowl first anyway. Adds that the wicket looks a good one to bat on. Tells that they need to turn up every game and need to give more than 100 per cent. Says that they did not bat well in their previous game and they want to correct those mistakes in this game against Rajasthan. Informs that they have made one change to their side - Ravi Bishnoi comes in for Karan Sharma.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that they want to bat as that has been their strength. Informs that James Neesham and Obed McCoy come in for Rassie van der Dussen and Kuldeep Sen. Tells that they want to keep it very simple, and it's important to maintain a balanced state of mind. Smiles and says that they didn't talk about qualifications in the team meeting.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), KL Rahul (C), Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Ravi Bishnoi (In for Karan Sharma), Mohsin Khan, Dushmantha Chameera, Avesh Khan.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C) (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, James Neesham (In for Rassie van der Dussen), Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy (In for Kuldeep Sen).

TOSS - Rajasthan have won the toss and they have elected to BAT first.

Our morning started with the tragic news of Andrew Symonds passing away in a car accident. He was just 46. We were still mourning the demise of the great Shane Warne and yet another superstar of the game left us for his heavenly abode. Symonds was a true character of the game! He was a one of a kind all-rounder, who used to bat with great striking power, and had a bag of tricks when it came to bowling, seam-up, cross-seam, off-spinners and what not! Not many will disagree that he was one of the best fielders during his playing days and his athleticism was second to none. He had the physique of a rugby player, and we all remember how he shoulder-charged a streaker and floored him. Andrew Symonds lived his cricketing life on his terms and was controversy's favourite child but all said and done, he was an icon. We will miss him. Rest in peace, Roy.

Update from Match 62 - Gujarat are cruising along nicely against Chennai at the Wankhede Stadium, as they require just 26 runs off 30 balls, with 7 wickets in hand.

Rajasthan did start their season well but have been inconsistent in the business end of the tournament. They have managed to win just one of their last four games and badly need a win, if they are to smoothly qualify for the playoffs. Their premier batter, Jos Buttler has failed to fire in the second half of the league, and overall, they have been below-par with the bat, barring the Punjab game. They have some quality bowlers in their ranks and will be keen to put their best foot forward in this all-important clash. Who will come out on top in this mouth-watering fixture? We shall find that soon. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Lucknow were on a 4-game winning streak until they met Gujarat in Pune. They were handed a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Gujarat and it were Lucknow's batters who failed to deliver as the KL Rahul-led side was bundled out for 82. Although, they are sitting at the top half of the points table and a win against Rajasthan would ensure that they book a spot in the playoffs and finish in the top two.

The race for playoffs spot is heating up in the Indian T20 League and we have another cracker of a game coming our way, folks. It is Lucknow taking on Rajasthan in game number 63 at the Brabourne Stadium. On that note, a very warm welcome to our coverage.

... Match Day ...