Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL, 2026 Apr 22 Full score card

OUT! BOWLED! That ends the story. The visitors have reigned supreme at the Ekana and RAJASTHAN ROYALS HAVE WON BY 40 RUNS. Mohsin kept on giving the invitation to Archer to target the stumps and on the third occasion, the bowler did not miss his target. This time, the ball is full and straight and Mohsin misses his drive. The ball goes through and crashes into the stumps. With this, JOFRA ARCHER HAS BECOME THE ALL-TIME LEADING WICKET TAKER FOR RAJASTHAN ROYALS. He became the leading wicket taker for RR in the IPL when he dismissed Mayank Yadav and with this last scalp, taken into account the Champions League as well, knocking Shane Watson off his perch.

Once again, Mohsin shows all his stumps, backing away to the leg side and gets followed. The line is full and outside leg and the batter drives it back to the bowler.

On a length, pretty straight, from around the wicket, Mohsin Khan backs away and pushes it towards mid off.

MOHSIN KHAN is the last batter in, replacing Mayank Yadav.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Stunning piece of glovework from Jurel. Good length on middle, and Mayank is all at sea. Stuck on the leg side, he prods tentatively, opens the face and looks to guide it away. The ball takes the outside edge and darts to the right of the keeper. Jurel reads it early, dives full stretch to his right and scoops it up one-handed in his right glove, barely off the ground. LSG are 119/9, needing 41 runs from 15 balls.

FOUR! Runs away through the gap! Fractionally fuller, around off. Mayank stays put and leg side of the ball, and cuts it late to the left of deep backward point for a boundary. Deep third, who is stationed a lot finer, stands no chance to cut it off.

Spot on bumper, on off. Digvesh arches back, opens the bat face and runs it to the left of deep third for a single.

Jofra Archer returns. 3-1-15-1 so far.

Slower ball, short in length outside off, Mayank looks to cut but is early into his shot. Gets a bottom edge back to the bowler. What a sensational over - W WD 1 W 1 0 0 - Brijesh's bowling figures read 3-0-18-2!

Full and outside off, pace off, Mayank Yadav looks to drive but gets an outside edge to short third.

Another fine yorker, around off, Digvesh Singh somehow manages to dig it out, eking an inside edge down to fine leg for a single.

This is ending all too quickly. DIGVESH SINGH walks in next, at number 10, replacing Mohammad Shami.

OUT! FLATTENS THE LEG STUMP! A ripper of a delivery from Sharma which puts RR in touching distance of a win. A ballistic yorker at 136.4 kph, angling into the leg stump. Shami stays rooted, looks to whip it over mid-wicket, but the bat comes down far too late. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and uproots the leg stump. Wicket number 2 from Brijesh Sharma. LSG are 113/8, needing 47 runs from 21 balls.

Short of a length outside off, angling in to Mayank Yadav, who rocks back and opens the face to run it down to deep third for a single.

WIDE! A little too straightish, short down leg. Mayank gets inside the line to leave.

The long tail is exposed now. Mayank Yadav walks in next, at number 9, replacing Mukul Choudhary.

OUT! CAUGHT SPECTACULARLY! Just the wicket RR needed. They will feel that this is their game to lose now with Mukul, the last threat also dismissed. A well-executed short delivery by Brijesh, on top of off and climbing further after pitching. Mukul Choudhary is tucked up for room to play the pull shot across the line, but gets it high on the bat and sliced towards extra cover. The ball dips on Riyan Parag but the skipper dives forward and scoops the ball just inches above the ground.

Brijesh Sharma is back on. 2-0-15-0 so far.

SIX! WINGS DEPLOYED! Where did that come from? The golf course, I guess. Plenty of cricketers play golf these days and this shot represented one of those clean swings. Burger goes pace off once again, landing it short, around middle, this time Shami is ready, waits for it and swings it cleanly over deep mid-wicket! 12 runs from the over but with the big wicket of Marsh as well. Nandre Burger ends with bowling figures of 4-0-27-2.

Pace off again, on a length, outside off, angling away, Shami pushes loosely again, only to miss this time.

NEARLY GONE FIRST BALL! Off cutter, outside off, on a length, Mohammad Shami plays a loose shot, away from his body and nearly spoons a catch towards mid off. The ball lands just short of the fielder.

LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS' STRATEGIC TIMEOUT. Things have gotten tricky again for the Giants. In fact, all of a sudden, Jadeja's unbeaten 43 is proving to be more valuable than Marsh's 55. Because LSG have a really long tail and it is all upto Mukul Choudhary now. Interestingly, after 15.3 overs, while LSG are 105/6, RR were 110/5! So there's nothing much to differentiate the two sides as of now. The last 3 overs of the first innings went for 43 runs, with Mayank Yadav conceding 20 alone in the 20th over. How LSG would wish they could halve that now! MOHAMMAD SHAMI walks in next, at number 8, replacing Mitchell Marsh.

OUT! HIGH UP IN THE HEAVENS AND TAKEN! This is a strong response by Burger and LSG's troubles multiply from hereon. Slower off cutter, full and slanted outside off stump. Mitchell Marsh is a tad early into the shot as he plants his back knee into the pitch to smash it over the infield straight down the ground, but he has to stretch a bit extra to reach for it. He mistimes it by slicing the ball straight up over cover. Riyan Parag gets across with his eyes locked up on the ball and takes a sharp running catch to his right. The Super Giants are 105/6, needing 55 runs from 27 balls.

Fuller length, slower one, outside off. Marsh drives but finds Parag at short extra cover.

SIX! FIFTY FOR MITCHELL MARSH! His first fifty this season and 10th overall in the IPL. He got several good starts this season, but this has come at a very crucial time when his team has needed him the most. Slower one, in the middle of the surface, outside off. Mitchell Marsh throws the kitchen sink at it to dump it downtown. Despite the bottom hand coming off the handle, the sheer brute force on the shot helps the ball to go sailing over long off. 100 UP FOR LSG!

With Jadeja bowled out, we will have a bowling change from this end. Nandre Burger returns. 3-0-15-1 so far.

SIX! WHOOSH! What a way to end the over. The googly, outside off, pretty full, Mukul Choudhary gets down and slogs this miles over mid-wicket! 10 from the over, albeit with a wicket. Ravi Bishnoi's bowling figures read 3-0-23-1 so far.

Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

Mukul Choudhary walks in next, at number 7, replacing Himmat Singh.

OUT! BOWLED! The missed stumping does not count for much. The googly, outside off, Himmat Singh goes for a big loft down the ground and leaves a massive gate open to allow the ball to see the gap between bat and pad. He misses the ball and it goes right through that gap, to uproot the off stump. Bishnoi brings out the notebook celebration looking at the LSG dugout, sending out a message to his team and ex-mate, Digvesh Singh. The 37-run stand is broken and LSG are 91/5. EQUATION - 69 RUNS, 33 BALLS.

Another short ball, outside off, Mitchell Marsh looks to heave but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball deflects to the off side and the batters take a quick run.

A short ball, pulled down to long on for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi returns. 2-0-13-0 so far.

Outside off, pushed towards point for a run. 9 from the over and Ravindra Jadeja finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-29-1.

Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

SIX! Pleasing to the eye but insulting for RR! A stumping is missed and the next ball gets dismissed. Flighted, outside off, Himmat Singh stays leg side of the ball and lofts this gorgeously over extra cover!

DHRUV JUREL MISSES A STUMPING. Fired in outside off, Himmat Singh attempts the reverse sweep but misses. In the process, he loses his balance and is out of his crease. But the keeper, Jurel, in his attempt to affect the stumping, fumbles slightly and takes that extra second to whip the bail off. Himmat recovers by then.

Appeal for LBW, but the finger stays down. Full, outside off, Mitchell Marsh gets down to play the sweep but misses and is hit on the body. The impact seemed to be outside off. The ball deflects away towards short third and the batters take a leg bye.

Outside off, eased straight to cover.

WIDE. Miles outside off, left alone. 79 more needed from 42 balls.

6 balls, 6 singles. In fact, the last 10 balls have seen 10 singles. Short, outside off, the Bison pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

A short ball now, outside off, Himmat pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

A full toss, down the leg side, Mitchell Marsh looks to whip but misses. The ball goes off his pads to short fine leg. The batters take a single but there is no signal of a leg bye from the umpire. Must have been an inside edge then.

Stop please. Brijesh comes trundling in, but the Bison has his hand up. Some naughty person is moving up and down near the sightscreen. Ready to resume now.

Short, outside off, pace off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

Worked through mid-wicket for a run.

On a length, around middle, Himmat Singh works it through square leg for a single.

Change of pace. Parag brings back Brijesh Sharma. 1-0-9-0 so far.

Outside off, eased through the covers for another single. 12 from the over.

Landed outside off, Mitchell dabs it towards short third for one.

Outside off, Himmat Singh presses this towards cover for a single.

Dropped short, Marsh pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR MORE! On a length, outside off, Marsh goes back and punches it through the covers. The fielder dives to his right and gets a hand to it, but still cannot stop the ball from racing behind.

FOUR! WHAM! Full, around middle, Mitchell Marsh gets down and sweeps it with power through mid-wicket!

The required rate is now touching double 1s. Talking about doubles, if you keep Marsh and Himmat together in one frame, it actually appears as if there are two Mitchell Marshs standing together. That's how similar they look. Even his brother Shaun does not have so much similarity with Mitch.

Full, outside off, Himmat pushes it towards point. Despite the boundary, just the 7 runs from the over.

Full and around off, another wrong 'un, Himmat Singh gets his bat down in a hurry.

WIDE. A massively spinning googly, but way down the leg side. Left alone.

Outside off, Mitchell looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge towards short fine leg. The batters take a single and the equation now reads - 99 runs from 56 balls.

Full and straight, Marsh bunts it back to the bowler.

FOUR! WHACK! Feast yourself, Bison. Short, around middle and off, Mitchell Marsh goes back and heaves it through mid-wicket with all the power in the world, to beat deep mid-wicket to his right.

Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Outside off, pushed straight to cover. A wicket and 5 runs from the over, Ravindra Jadeja's bowling figures read 2-0-9-1 so far.

On middle, pushed down to long on for a single.

Lucknow Super Giants use their impact sub - Himmat Singh comes in at number 6, while Prince Yadav is subbed out.

Prince Yadav is substituted by Himmat Singh

OUT! CAUGHT! A rare shot in anger and Pooran falls. Short, outside off, Nicholas Pooran goes for the pull, attempting more of a heave. Gets the ball on the higher part of the bat and hence, gets a lot more elevation than distance. Long on steadies himself and Donovan Ferreira makes no mistake. The saying goes that, 'Never run on a misfield'. In this case, it is the opposite. Had Ravi not fumbled on the previous ball, Pooran would not have been on strike for this one. He is totally disconsolate as he literally trudges off the field, having got a start. The 43-run stand is broken and LSG ARE 54/4, NEEDING ANOTHER 106 RUNS FROM 62 BALLS.

On middle, Pooran works it towards long on and calls for the second. The substitute fielder, Ravi Singh, who had ran out Badoni, charges in but in his haste to pick the ball up, fumbles and gives in to the pressure, conceding the second.

Landed outside off, going away with the angle, Pooran lets it through.

On middle, Nicholas Pooran works it through mid-wicket with soft hands and charges back for the second. The stand moves to 41 (38). 108 more needed from 65 balls.

Another long hop, wide outside off, cut through point for one. 50 UP FOR LSG, 110 MORE NEEDED FROM 66 BALLS.

Mixup, but safe. Short and wide outside off, Nicky P cuts it to the right of Riyan Parag at cover and for some reason, Marsh wants the single. He is sent back just in time.

Short and wide outside off, another googly, Nicholas cuts it straight to cover.

WIDE. Miles outside off, another wrong 'un, Pooran looks to cut but misses. This is interesting. RR review for a caught behind. By the hand signals, it seems like Jurel is telling Bishnoi that he heard a noise. Unfortunately for them and their team, UltraEdge returns a flat line when the ball is near the bat. RR lose a review.

Outside off, punched down to long on for a single.

Dropped short, around middle, Mitchell Marsh pulls it behind square leg. The ball simply races away but the deep square leg fielder charges to his right near the boundary and dives to stop the ball. Keeps the batters to a couple.

A googly to start, short in length, spinning away, Nicholas Pooran looks to cut but the ball stops a bit on the surface. He mistimes it towards cover where the fielder dives to his left and parries it to long off. A single taken.

Just a hint of turn visible in that over. Dual spin now. Ravi Bishnoi will bowl.

A touch short, around leg, Pooran gets down and pulls it through square leg for another single.

Full, around off, Nicholas Pooran defends it towards cover.

Outside off, Mitchell eases this through the covers for one.

On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

On middle, a touch shorter, Marsh goes back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single. The stand moves to 30 (27). 119 more needed from 76 balls.

Full, outside off, Mitchell Marsh pushes it towards cover.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS' STRATEGIC TIME OUT. Has the ball becoming older become a worry for the Royals? Or what happened in the Powerplay was just a Jofra-Burger effect? Either ways, the ball has stopped moving and scoring has seemingly gotten easier. Maybe, dew has started to form a bit. Marsh and Pooran have played responsibly to not throw it away and kept their heads down and played the ball, rather than the situation. It will be interesting to see how spin fares. Here's Ravindra Jadeja.

FOUR! CLASSY! 'Pooran close to his very best', chimes Daren Ganga on air. Very full, outside off, Nicholas Pooran gets a big stride in, reaches the pitch of the ball and drives it to the right of mid off. Riyan Parag tries his best to cut that off, but the ball simply races through!

On a length, around off, decent bounce, Nicholas bunts it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Not timed well, but Pooran will take it. A short ball, outside off, Pooran looks to swivel and pull but is a tad early into the shot. Yet, he somehow manages to get his wrists over the ball and get it to the square leg fence.

Full and around off, 139.1 kph, Nicholas Pooran defends it solidly towards mid off.

Similar ball, 135.4 kph, Mitchell Marsh eases this through the covers for a single.

On a length, outside off, pushed into the off side.

Who has won the Powerplay battle then? LSG are 31/3, while at the same stage, RR were 44/3. Let's say, the Royals fared a bit better then, although the Super Giants are on a bit of a recovery. Brijesh Sharma gets the ball now.

Marsh gets on the front foot and hits the length ball to the right of point for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Lucknow Super Giants are 31/3, chasing 160 runs.

Perfect response with the ball! In the vicinity of the off pole, on a fractionally fuller length. Marsh is sucked forward to block, but the ball nips past his outside edge.

SIX! The Bison wakes up! A length ball, around leg and middle. The ball doesn't rise much and comes at hip height for Mitchell Marsh. He hangs back and pulls it ruthlessly behind deep square leg for a biggie.

Cannons in at 143.2 kph, full on middle. Pooran gets a bit across and works it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Burger hits that in-between length, outside off. Pooran jumps on the toes to ride the bounce and steers it to cover-point.

Into the pitch, on the leg stump. Marsh gets inside the line and nudges it through square leg for a run.

Final over of the Powerplay. Still no bowling change. Not needed, is it? Burger to continue.

Back of a length around off, Pooran gets right behind the line and blocks it solidly to the off side. MAIDEN OVER from Jofra who has just bowled a hostile spell.

Serious wheels on it again! Hard length into the pitch, on leg. Nicholas Pooran hops to tuck it into the leg side, but is hit on the thigh pad instead.

Smell that leather, mate! This is high quality bowling from Archer so far. Sharp short ball around off, it pitches and rears sharply at 148 kmph. Pooran hops and sways out of the way, and Jurel leaps to collect cleanly with both hands.

BEATEN! A corker of a delivery and Pooran had no clue about it. Archer bends his back and bowls it short, on top of middle. It lands and nips away, squaring Nicholas Pooran of both pace and bounce. Nicholas tries to block, but it zips past the outside edge by a kitten whisker.

Nice and full, straighter line on off. Pooran leans on it and blocks it to mid off.

Landed outside leg, on a good length. Pooran steers it to square leg.

Very full and on middle. Marsh drives it along the turf to mid on.

Pitched on a length, just outside off. Marsh tries to hit it through cover but the ball nips back a touch and he hits it off the inner half to the bowler. Burger threatens to throw the ball back at the batter, but does not.

Fuller one, around off. Pooran presses in front and knocks it into the cover region for a quick single.

At 139.4 kph, a yard or two fuller than the previous one. Marsh goes for an ungainly pull shot but the ball does not rise much as he expects. Goes below the inside edge and hits him on the back thigh. It lobs to the backward point region and they cross for a leg bye.

FOUR! Dismissed out of his presence! Fractionally short from Nandre, on off. Mitchell Marsh climbs over it and heaves it to deep mid-wicket, into the gap, for four.

Hard length, over middle. Marsh hops on the toes and bunts it down to the pitch.

FOUR! Runs away! Full and on leg. Nicholas Pooran flicks it off the front foot to mid-wicket. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dives to his left and makes a half stop. The ball races away to the fence behind, beating his chase.

WIDE! A rib-tickling short ball on the bodyline. Pooran ducks under the ball and it is deemed a wide as it is down leg.

9/0 becomes 11/3 for the hosts and they have their backs against the wall. The reaction from Justin Langer in the LSG dugout says it all. In walks Nicholas Pooran at number 5. He is in desperate need of runs this season. Can this be his night?

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! It is going down south really quickly for the Super Giants now. It is a back-of-a-length delivery from Archer, shot at a good pace, over the top of the middle stump and a bit of extra lift as well. Aiden Markram tries to play an uncharacteristic heave across the line of the ball and only manages a thick top edge. The ball swirls up over the keeper's head but Jurel keeps his cool and takes the skier watchfully. Markram becomes the THIRD BATTER DISMISSED FOR A DUCK in this innings! Jofra has his first wicket and is up and about.

Back of a length, on middle and leg. Markram plays with a straight bat and knocks it to mid on.

Archer digs it short and on the leg stump line. Markram ducks under the projectile hurled at him.

Pitched outside leg, on a length, Markram tucks it to mid-wicket off the front foot.

Short of a good length around the middle stump line, pitches and jags back in a shade. Marsh punches it to the right of mid on for a single.

Half tracker, on middle. Aiden tugs it to square leg with soft hands.

That's a ripper! Nips away from the right-hander on a good length. Markram is completely squared up on the back foot looking to block but the ball leaves him and zips past the outside edge.

A top start for the Royals in their defence. LSG again pegged back early on. Aiden Markram is the new batter in at number 4.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Burger fishes out the opposition skipper. Not an ideal shot selection from Pant, one has to say. Short of a good length outside off, Pant drops to one knee with a pre-meditated slog sweep against the left arm seamer, only to get a faint inside edge through to Jurel behind the stumps. There is a slight appeal from Burger and up goes the finger. Pant leaves the field livid with himself.

Short and on leg, at 147.5 kph. Pant pulls it to mid-wicket. Another mix-up but averted.

Short and outside off, Pant dances down to go up and over the off side, but misses.

Nips in from a length, on off. Marsh tries to punch it on the up but inside edges to the pads and then the ball lobs to the short third region for a single.

LSG's opening pair last just 6 balls. Skipper Rishabh Pant is in at number 3.

OUT! AYUSH BADONI IS RUN OUT! An extremely disappointing way to get dismissed. This one kicks up from the deck, on a length, on the leg stump line. Badoni is rushed on the back foot and tries to tuck it to the square leg region but fails to do so. The ball deflects off the thigh pad and rolls into the square leg region and both the batters decide to cross over, but Marsh from halfway down the pitch, sends Badoni back, as he sees Ravi Singh, the sub fielder, charge on the ball quickly. There is a couple of yes and no between the batters and Badoni finds himself in deep waters, too far to retreat. Ravi comes charging in, seeing Badoni pause and then makes a simple underarm throw to the batting end as he sees the batter try to get back. The ball hits the stumps and Badoni is not even in the frame. One believes that just to be safe, the umpire refers this upstairs. Easy decision for the third umpire. LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS ARE 9/1, chasing 160 runs.

Direct hit at the striker's end. Badoni looks gone for all money and the replay shows the same. Nowhere in the frame. A huge, huge mixup.

Back of a length, on top of off. Marsh hangs back and stabs it to the backward point region and they hurry for a quick run.

FOUR! Bread and butter for the Bison! Very full, on off. Mitchell Marsh plays with a vertical bat, doesn't middle it properly, but has enough on it to loft it over the bowler's head for the second boundary.

FOUR! Onto it in a flash! A half volley, outside off. Marsh leans forward, frees his arms and cracks the cover drive to the left of the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

Fuller one, around off, Marsh drills it to the mid off fielder, where Parag is stationed a bit straight.

Right on the money! A searing inswinging yorker on the stumps. Mitchell Marsh just manages to get his front toe out of the way. His head falls over but manages to squeeze it out to the leg side.

SIX! 20 runs from the final over! A short ball again, into the deck, around middle and leg, Ravindra Jadeja picks the length in a trice and pulls it mammothly over square leg. Initially, it seems like he has misjudged it, but the ball lands into the crowd! RAJASTHAN ROYALS FINISH ON 159/6!

Another short ball, around middle and leg, Jadeja pulls it behind square leg and gets another couple.

Clumsy from LSG. Jadeja heaves this through mid-wicket. Ayush Badoni charges to his left but in his hurry to pick the ball up, fumbles and concedes the second. 150 UP FOR RAJASTHAN ROYALS.

FOUR! Somehow, Jadeja has managed to get that in that region. On a length, around middle and off, with mid on and mid off up, Ravindra Jadeja backs away and just heaves it over mid off, for the second boundary of the over. Moves to 33 (26).

Banged short again, but this was quicker and Jadeja had to heave at it. Mistimed it through mid-wicket and got a couple.

FOUR! WALLOP! Right in the wheelhouse. A short ball, around leg and middle, Ravindra Jadeja swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket in a flash.

Final over then. 150 should be a bare minimum from here on. How much in excess can RR get? Mayank Yadav will bowl. 3-0-36-0 so far.

FOUR! Nicely bowled, and beautifully dealt with! A wide yorker by Prince, outside off. Shubham Dubey opens the bat face at the point of contact and pierces the backward point and short third gap to perfection to find the fence. 12 runs from the over. 4-0-29-2 tonight for Prince.

A review burnt by the Super Giants, but one understands Pant's motive there. He just wanted some time off. A pinpoint yorker by Prince, aimed at the pads, on the leg stump, seemingly pitched outside leg. Jadeja fails to flick and is hit on the back shin before the ball rolls to the vacant leg slip region. Pant rushes to his right and dives to stop the ball, but while doing so, he bumps the ball around his nose and it is deflected to the deep for a leg bye. He calls for a belated review for LBW. Ball Tracking shows that it has clearly pitched outside leg. But Pant takes the time to have his nose repaired.

There is a belated review for LBW against Jadeja. Looked to be pitching outside leg to the naked eye. Comfortably. Pitching outside leg and impact also outside leg. One suspects Pant just wanted some time off or a break, else that was really a bad review. Yes, Murali Kartik on air informs us that Pant had some running repairs to his nose while that review was being checked.

And with that... RAVINDRA JADEJA BECOMES THE HIGHEST SCORER OF THIS INNINGS. He has just made 23, which shows how poor the batting display by his team has been.

Bangs it short at 138.8 kph, around the shoulders of the batter. Jadeja goes for the pull but gets a bit of a top edge. However, it lands safely ahead of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Almost a yorker again, outside off. Shubham Dubey slices it over and behind point for a run.

FOUR! Important runs for the Royals! Very full on this occasion by Prince, an attempted yorker served as a full ball, around off. Dubey gets under the ball and carves it to the left of mid off and picks up a boundary.

Sharp short delivery, angling across off at 140.7 kph. Shubham reaches out to ramp, but misses as it flies over his angled bat.

Prince Yadav will bowl the 19th over. 3-0-18-2 so far.

Outside off, punched through the covers for a run. 11 from the over, but that does not affect Digvesh's bowling figures by much - 4-0-26-0, with just a solitary boundary conceded.

FOUR! A boundary after 16 balls and the first boundary off Rathi in this innings. Full and wide outside off, Shubham Dubey reaches out to carve it over the off side and manages to slice it over backward point. The ball lands and then trickles into the fence.

Another long hop, outside off, this time Dubey pulls it wide of long on, to his left, for a brace.

Short again, outside off again, cut again, through point again. For a run now.

Almost a carbon copy of the previous delivery. Only, the striker was different and the run was doubled.

Short, outside off, Shubham Dubey goes back and cuts it through point for a single.

Gamble by Pant. Digvesh Singh has been given the 18th over. 3-0-15-0 so far.

At pace now, fullish on middle. Jadeja uses his wrists and flicks it to the left of mid-wicket. By the time the man from deep square leg cuts it off to his right, the batters cross each other twice. Just 6 runs from this over. Mohsin's spell is done with figures of 4-1-17-2.

Back of a length, nipping in from off to middle, at 123.4 kph. Shubham clips it off the pads through backward square leg for a single. Good, tight lines and lengths from Mohsin so far.

Slower short ball, on top of middle. Ravindra Jadeja waits for an eternity for the ball to arrive before pulling it to deep square leg for another run.

A bit of tail into the batter, full at 139.3 kph, on middle. Shubham Dubey drills it to long on for a single.

Mohsin follows the batter with a short ball, on leg stump as the batter shuffles outside leg. Jadeja is cramped for space and tucks it to the mid-wicket region for only a single.

Off cutter, short and outside off. Jadeja jumps in the crease and steers it to backward point.

Mohsin Khan to bowl out. 3-1-11-2 so far.

Outside off, pushed towards cover-point. A wicket and 3 runs from the over, Prince Yadav's bowling figures read 3-0-18-2 so far. He now has the PURPLE CAP, picking up his 13th wicket of this edition. Anshul Kamboj also has 13 wickets, but Prince has a better economy currently.

Time for some big hits now. Rajasthan Royals are using their impact sub - Shubham Dubey comes in next at number 8, subbing out Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is substituted by Shubham Dubey

OUT! CAUGHT! Ferreira's luck runs out and at last, LSG get him. A good short ball, outside off, Donovan Ferreira tries to play the ramp, aiming to guide it over deep third but there is extra bounce on this delivery. He does connect it but cannot quite get the direction he wanted. He wanted to get it a bit squarer but the extra bounce ends up making him playing a lot finer, straight down the throat of Mohsin Khan at deep third, who makes no mistake. The somewhat decent-looking stand is broken at 33 and RR ARE 110/6 AFTER 15.5 OVERS.

Excellent yorker, tailing into middle and leg, Donovan Ferreira just about digs it out.

A short ball, around middle, Ravindra Jadeja swivels and pulls it behind square leg for a single.

Dropped short, pulled through square leg for a couple.

Outside off, cut straight to backward point.

Prince Yadav is back on. 2-0-15-1 so far.

EDGED, FOUR! RCB or no RCB, there is always salt on every wound. A short ball, outside off, Donovan Ferreira swings hard and gets a thick top edge. The ball flies over the vacant slip cordon to the deep third fence.

Massive mixup but LSG mess up. Donovan Ferreira, having been let off on 4, gets another life on 16. On a length, around middle and leg, Ravindra Jadeja worked it through mid-wicket. He called for two and Ferreira responded, charging back. However, Jadeja left him high and dry, backing out of the second run. Ferreira was within hand-shaking distance at that time. The throw came into the keeper, but Rishabh Pant, in his excitement to collect the throw, collided into the stumps and dislodged the bails off. The keeper then went for the second chance as Ferreira was trying to get back. He threw the ball to Mohsin Khan coming in but the latter probably forgot to uproot the stump and dislodged the bails. After a second, he took the stump off, but it was late by then. The bat was in. This was confirmed by the replay after the run out appeal was referred upstairs.

Is that a run out? To the naked eye, it seems like the keeper dislodged the bail with his glove without the ball in his hand. It is being referred upstairs. In fact, they are checking for the second attempted run out, with one bail already dislodged. And Mohsin has pulled off the stump pretty late.

Excellent fielding again! This time Digvesh Singh. The Super Giants have come out roaring in the field. Back of a length, outside off, Jadeja cuts it behind point. The ball races away but Digvesh charges across to his right from point and dives full stretch to stop the ball. Two runs taken, two saved.

A good slower ball, 108.7 kph, that's a good 40ks slower. On middle and leg, on a length, Ravindra Jadeja works it through mid on for a couple.

A quick short ball, 149.4 kph, outside off, hurrying into the batter, Ferreira goes for the pull but mistimes it through square leg. A single taken.

Nicky P again. On a length, outside off, Donovan Ferreira punches it through the covers where Nicholas Pooran dives and saves the boundary. Two runs taken.

Mayank Yadav returns. 2-0-24-0 so far.

On middle, pushed through mid on for one.

Full, outside off, Jadeja pushes this through mid off for a run.

Outstanding from Nicholas Pooran again. Wonderful athleticism. Short, outside off, Donovan pulls it through mid-wicket, a bit uppishly. The ball is dying onto the fielder but Pooran still goes for the catch. Dives forward and picks the ball cleanly off the ground, ensuring that it does not go past him. Just a single taken. He would have had a split second to decide whether to go for the catch or stop the boundary behind.

Tossed up, outside off, Ferreira goes for a wild hoick. The ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards short mid-wicket.

Short, outside off, Donovan Ferreira pulls it through mid-wicket. Nicholas Pooran charges across to his right from deep mid-wicket, dives and parries the ball to his partner running across from deep square leg. Keeps the batters to a couple.

Full, outside off, Ravindra Jadeja presses and drives it through mid off for a single.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS' STRATEGIC TIMEOUT. The choke continues getting applied. Barring a one-odd over here and there, boundaries are barely coming. But wickets are regularly falling. Neither are the Royals able to score freely, nor are they able to build partnerships. If this 6th wicket stand is broken quickly as well, even 150 might not be attainable.

Nice work by Digvesh Singh. He has already taken a pretty decent catch and now, shows again how much he is up for this clash. A short ball, outside off, Ferreira pulls it through mid on but Digvesh charges in from short mid-wicket and dives full length to his left, half-stopping the ball. It is enough to keep the batters where they are. 6 runs from the over which should have a wicket, but Mohammad Shami has done brilliantly for his 4-0-30-2.

Short, outside off, Jadeja swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller, outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Outside off, on a length, Ravindra Jadeja goes for the pull but is done in by the slowness of the pitch. Mistimes it back to the bowler.

On middle and off, pushed through mid on for a single.

CATCH MISSED, FOUR! The move works almost immediately but LSG miss a catching opportunity! A short ball, outside off, Donovan Ferreira goes for the pull but is hurried by pace. Mistimes it straight to deep backward square leg. But Mayank Yadav over there charges in a bit too early, misjudging the flight and the ball goes over him, landing in front of the ropes and crossing beyond!

Pant goes for the kill. Mohammad Shami is being bowled out. 3-0-24-2 so far.

Full and down the leg side, Jadeja leans and sweeps it towards short fine leg. Wants the single but there is none there and he is sent back.

Short, outside off, DF goes back for the cut. But the ball holds onto the surface and comes late, inducing another bottom edge. Gets past the bowler towards long off and the batters get a single.

On middle and leg, nudged behind square on the leg side for a run.

A bit too straight, Donovan leans and works it through mid on for a single.

Spins in a long way from outside off again, Ferreira looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Full, outside off, Donovan Ferreira looks to drive but the ball spins back in sharply and goes off the inside edge back to the bowler.

Bowling change? Don't think Mayank Yadav will bowl more than 1-over spells at this stage. Indeed. Digvesh Singh returns. 1-0-6-0 so far.

Shortish, on middle and off, Donovan whips it to deep mid-wicket for another single. A wicket and 4 runs from the over, Mohsin Khan's figures read 3-1-11-2 so far.

On middle and leg, Ravindra Jadeja plays a Nataraja flick, with his front leg in the air and back leg pivoting, towards deep square leg for one.

What's happened to whom? Oh dear... Rishabh Pant is the player in question again! How does he keep getting hit, inviting accidents? The replay shows the throw coming in from the deep to the keeper. Pant is ready to collect but he gets an awkward bounce and gets hit on his nose! And it is bleeding. The physio is out for the repair work. Thankfully, all in readiness now.

Banged in short, Ferreira gets on top of the bounce and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

That is a beauty. On a length, outside off, coming back in, Donovan Ferreira looks to defend but the ball cuts him into half, going over the stumps.

Half the side down in a shade over the halfway mark of overs. Donovan Ferreira walks in next, at number 7, replacing Shimron Hetmyer. Can they repeat what they did against SRH a few nights ago?

OUT! CAUGHT! We were just wondering, why was Digvesh Singh taken off the attack with two left-handers at the crease. This is the reason. Pace is uncomfortable here at this venue for batters. On a length, around middle and off, probably the knuckle ball, taking all the pace off. Shimron Hetmyer is early into his flick and gets a leading edge, which pops up towards mid off. Prince Yadav makes no mistake. From 62/3, RR ARE NOW 77/5!

On middle and leg, nudged through square leg for a single.

76/4 at the halfway stage. One would believe that the Royals need AT LEAST ANOTHER 100 RUNS from here on to have a contest. Mohsin Khan is back on. 2-1-7-1 so far.

Full and outside off, SH drives it straight to cover. Good comeback by the bowler. After going for 14 runs in his first 3 balls, concedes none in the last 3.

Mayank dishes out a slower length ball, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer waits on it and gently taps it to the backward point fielder.

Closer to the off stump, Shimron tries to tap and run to the off side but gets too close to the ball. The ball hits the inside edge, deflects onto his pads and rolls past the off stump. The batter wants the single but is sent back.

FOUR! A handsome stroke! Mayank hits the fuller length, and slants it outside off. Shimron Hetmyer presses on the front foot, plays on the rise and cracks the drive to the left of mid off for a boundary. This is turning out to be a good over for the Royals after a few arid ones.

FOUR! That's 10 in 2 balls. Banged in short, around off, Hetmyer gets on top of the bounce and swats the pull through mid on and mid-wicket, beating long on to his left.

SIX! Nicely picked up and dispatched! Mayank almost clocks 150 kph, but bowls it in the slot, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer gets under the ball well and whips it aerially, parking it into the stands behind deep square leg.

Into the soft middle order now. Ravindra Jadeja, often named the man for crisis, walks in next, at number 6, replacing his skipper, Riyan Parag. Mayank Yadav returns as well. 1-0-10-0 so far.

OUT! CAUGHT! Parag tries the helicopter, but it comes crashing down! The RR skipper cannot believe it. Well, these are long boundaries at the Ekana, and scoring biggies is not that easy. Full and straight. Riyan Parag tries to flick it ala helicopter style and connects well too. But he is not quite able to get on top of the ball and hence, cannot quite find the exact elevation. The ball goes high in the air but the parabola is completed near the widish long on ropes, where Nicholas Pooran takes an easy catch. The 30-run stand has been broken and RR ARE 62/4 AFTER 9 OVERS!

Oh, a nip-backer from outside off, on a hard length. Parag watches it closely and blocks it to the off side.

Full and straight, SH stylishly flicks it through mid-wicket for one.

Prince cannons it full and on middle. Shimron has very little room to work with so he tucks it back at the bowler off the back foot.

On a length, around off, Hetmyer looks to punch but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.

Good length, nipping back in on off. Riyan Parag arches back and runs it to deep third for an easy run.

On middle, whipped to long on for a single.

Drops it a tad short, around off, 93.8 kph. Parag hangs back and knocks it to extra cover. The fielder, Pooran, dives to his right to stop the ball.

Short, around off, Hetmyer drags it through mid on for a run.

A slider on a fuller length, on leg. Riyan Parag tries to flick the ball to the leg side, but gets a thick leading edge through mid off for a single.

HETMYER IS SAFE! But only by just. Dear me, one would say that the West Indian has been given a wake up call. Fine lines in T20 cricket. On middle and leg, Riyan Parag tucked it through mid-wicket and called for two. Hetmyer agreed but probably took it very easy on the second run. Aiden Markram charged across from long on to his right, picked the ball up and scored a direct hit at the bowler's end. Hetmyer is seen jostling hard while LSG are celebrating, with the run out appeal being referred upstairs. Now, here is the drama on the replay. When the ball hits the stumps, Hetmyer is short of his crease, but when the bails alight, the bat gets in! Saved by the barest of margins. A wide smile crosses his face when NOT OUT flashes on the giant screen but that was a close escape. Simon Katich is on air and he will remember how he himself was run out in 2006 in Gqberha, by a freak called AB de Villiers, when the former took things just a bit lightly. This game never forgives.

Direct hit! Has Hetmyer been caught napping here? The run out appeal has been referred upstairs. Ooohh.... just in by a hair's breadth!

Tight line, on the stumps, on a length at 90.1 kph. Shimron Hetmyer goes back and dinks it into the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS' STRATEGIC TIMEOUT. Very surprising that Pant has called for the timeout. With momentum in his team's favour, one might have thought that he would wait till all the 9 overs are done. His bowlers have come out firing and more importantly, Shami has come out firing. This is what experience gives you. The other day, it was Bumrah shutting Gujarat out with the new ball. Today, it has been Shami who has choked the Royals. The ball has just not quite come onto the bat and the Team In Pink are finding it way too difficult to score. They need a partnership here, or maybe, someone to take a punt and do a counterattack. Digvesh Singh comes onto bowl now. So far, his notebook has been stashed safely somewhere this season, despite him picking up wickets.

SIX! A gift to end the over. A full ball, slanting into the pads, Riyan Parag casually flicks it behind square leg and the ball travels all the way!

Wow, a nicely-disguised slower yorker, dipping on the batter. Riyan Parag does well to shovel it out to the bowler.

A good bouncer, around off, Riyan Parag arches away from that ball. Maybe, just for a millisecond, he thought of ramping it, before quickly realizing his team's position.

Short and rising at the shoulder height of the batter. Hetmyer controls the pull shot into the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

On a length, outside off, slanting away, Hetmyer slashes but misses.

WIDE. Opportunity missed. Short and down the leg side, Shimron Hetmyer gets across for the pull but misses to connect.

Mayank spears it full and wide outside off. Shimron Hetmyer presents the full face of his bat on the front foot and drives it crisply to deep extra cover. Prince Yadav does the hard yards to his left from deep backward point and cuts it off. The batters cross for two.

Time for the squeeze? The Powerplay has gone in a very fine fashion for the home side and it will hope to build on this. Here comes the pace sensation - Mayank Yadav.

Back of a length, outside off, Shimron pushes it behind point for a single. 7 from the over and RR end their Powerplay on 44/3!

Insane level of acrobatics by Prince Yadav! Saves a certain six. Short around off, climbing at shoulder height of the captain. Parag uses the pace and ramps to clear the deep third fence, but does not have enough of it to do so. Prince runs and jumps to his left and while being airborne, he manages to throw the ball back in the playing area before going over the ropes. The replays confirm that Prince is not in contact with the ropes while holding the ball in hand. Just a single then.

On a length, outside off, Parag fishes and misses.

FOUR! Gets a good piece of wood on that! At 133.2 kph, this is dug into the pitch, and angled outside off. Parag stands tall and swats it over the leaping mid on fielder for a boundary.

On middle and leg, Shimron Hetmyer tucks it through square leg for a single.

Hits the hard length, on top of off. Hetmyer camps back and bunts it down the pitch.

Final over of the Powerplay. Mohsin Khan to continue.

5 dots on the trot to end the over. On a length, outside off, driven straight to cover.

Around off, pushed towards cover.

Full and just around off, RP defends it solidly.

Similar ball, away movement, this time Riyan watches it go past.

On a good length, just outside off, Parag thinks about playing at it, but then, at the last moment, takes his bat away.

FOUR! Nicely played! Full and on the pads, Parag needs no second invitation. Plays a fluent flick through mid-wicket and it races away for four.

WIDE. Spoils the hattrick ball. Full and down the leg side, Riyan Parag misses his flick.

Trouble brewing now. 'Jaisoorya' dismissed for a combined score of 30. Skipper Riyan Parag has walked out next, at number 5, replacing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, to face the hattrick ball.

OUT! Straight up the chimney and taken! That's a remarkable catch from Digvesh and the home team is on top now. Mohsin pitches it in the vicinity of the off pole, and gets the ball to nip away a bit on a fuller length. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tries to heave the ball across to the leg side, but gets it sliced high up over the cover region. Nicholas Pooran from backward point and Digvesh Singh from extra cover run backward, but the former, Digvesh, calls for it, covers a lot of ground and takes a fine running catch. 32/0 becomes 32/3 for the Royals as their top three are blown away in a blink. A WICKET MAIDEN from Mohsin.

On a length, just outside off, VS pushes inside the line without moving his feet and nearly nicks it behind. 5 dots in this over now.

And again. Dot ball number 4. And if you add the last 2 balls of the previous over, we have actually had a full over of dots, a maiden. Full and straight, Vaibhav drives it with more conviction and timing this time, but straight to mid on.

On middle and off, Sooryavanshi walks across a touch and flicks it away, but cannot beat mid on.

Full and straight, pushed towards mid off.

On a good length, around off, angling away, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi guides this behind point.

Okay, time for a team hattrick? Shami will be on a hattrick when he comes on for his third over but LSG have taken 2 in 2. So they are on a hattrick as well. Mohsin Khan has been given the ball now.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN EASILY! That's a ripper from Shami and he is on a Hat Trick now. Beautiful seam presentation from the veteran pacer and he gets the ball to curve away from the off stump line, on a fractionally fuller length. Dhruv Jurel is invited on the front foot and he draws forward with a gentle poke and gets a faint outside edge, offering a simple catching practice to Pant behind the wickets. RR are 32/2 and are in a spot of bother.

'Jaisoorya' separated early tonight. Dhruv Jurel walks in next, at number 3, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal.

OUT! CAUGHT! Pant takes a screamer and Shami shows who is the boss. A quick short ball, at the batter's head, around leg stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes for the hook but is in no control whatsoever. The ball goes off something behind and once again, the keeper, Rishabh Pant, leaps to collect it. He straightaway starts celebrating and the umpire raises his finger. Yes, there is glove involved and Jaiswal has to go! A snorter from Shami and a ripper from Pant. Jaiswal departs for 22 (12) and RR ARE 32/1 AFTER 2.5 OVERS!

FOUR! Not timed that well, but well enough to clear the inner ring! Slightly fuller than the previous ball, and outside the off stump line. Yashasvi Jaiswal presses forward and lofts it just over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary.

Angle change. Shami switches back to over the wicket.

FOUR MORE! This is even better. The ball was not bad at all. Shami bowled this on a good length outside off and got it to come back in, cramping Jaiswal for room. But the southpaw, arched back, created his own room and guided it behind point for consecutive boundaries!

FOUR! Punished! Shami lands it on a good length, with a hint of an away shape, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his bat at it from the crease and thrashes it over cover-point for a cracking boundary.

Full and wide outside off, dangling the carrot, Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his bat at it, without moving his feet and misses.

Another sharp ball to end the over. Short again, this time at the head, VS sways away from the line. Good finish from Prince after going for 13 runs in his first 3 balls.

Excellent take by Rishabh Pant. A sharp bouncer, around middle and leg, Vaibhav ducks. The ball though, keeps on climbing and the keeper has to leap full stretch to collect it with his right glove.

Misses out. Full and down the leg side, with fine leg up. Sooryavanshi flicks it away, but cannot get it past Mohammad Shami at short fine leg.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Short of a good length, around off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rises with the bounce, gets enough space to free his arms and pins it into the gap of backward point and cover with a beautiful square cut to get a boundary.

FOUR! Well, that's the first ball this kid has faced and any surprises? Uh... okay. Not a six? Boundary will do. Full and around middle, curving in, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leans across and flicks it beautifully between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary!

Overthrows! This time, it is Mohsin in the hotspot. Prince starts with a length ball, on the leg stump line with a good bit of bounce around the ribs. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets on the toes and tucks it to the square leg region and they decide to cross over for a single. But Sooryavanshi is a tad lethargic and sensing that, Mohsin Khan releases the throw at the batting end, but misses his shy. Even worse, the backing up fielder at cover-point, Mukul Choudhary, fails to stop the ball to his left and it races away to the deep cover fence.

Tidy start from Shami. Prince Yadav will share the new ball.

Back of a length, outside off, coming right back in. YJ is equally good, waiting for the ball to swing in and then dabbing it to the left of deep third, for a single. Not a single ball faced by his partner in this over.

On a length, outside off, Yashasvi lets it through.

FOUR! Misfield! Could have been a better effort. On a back of a length, on a tight line, but a little bit straight on the pads. Yashasvi Jaiswal uses the pace of the ball and guides it behind, playing it a lot fine to the leg side. Mukul Choudhary from deep fine leg runs and dives to his left, but the ball gets parried off his fingers to the ropes.

On a good length, around leg stump, Jaiswal looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the pads again. No appeal this time.

ANOTHER WIDE. Second in this over. Way outside off, easier leave for Yashasvi.

On a length, outside off, angling away, left alone.

Big shout for LBW, but no review taken. Did that take the inside edge? It definitely pitched in line for sure. Was it doing too much? Nothing on UltraEdge when ball is near the bat. Ball Tracking indicates that it is going over the stumps. Excellent decision by the on-field umpire first up and even better from the fielding side not to review it. Coming to the ball, it landed on a length slightly short of full, swinging in, Jaiswal fell over trying to flick and missed the ball, getting hit on the pads.

WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Yashasvi Jaiswal misses his flick.

Time for action - The two umpires walk out to the middle, followed by the LSG players and the refined version of the tormentor of many a team in the 90s - that tornado's name was Sanath Jayasuriya. The 2026 version is 'JaiSoorya'. The willows of mass destruction are waiting to fire. Mohammad Shami has the new ball in his hand. Jaiswal to face. A wide first slip, along with a second slip, are awaiting. Here we go...

Overseas players in the impact-sub options? Does look a bit weird. As per the IPL norms, you are not allowed to use any overseas player as an impact sub, if the playing XI has 4 already in it. While LSG can still utilize George Linde or Matthew Breetzke as they have 3 overseas players in their playing XI, the only reason I can think of RR having Lhuan-dre Pretorius in their impact sub options' list is because he is a keeper and can chip in as a substitute, should Jurel suffer any injury. Other than that, he won't be able to do anything else.

I told I am going to lose the toss - Cheeky, aye? Well, that's exactly what Rajasthan Royals' captain, Riyan Parag said, when asked about what would he have done had he won the toss! Adds that he was confused, whether to bat or bowl first on this surface, so is eventually happy that he did not have to take a decision. From past knowledge, Parag says that they had played some domestic games here and the pitch slowed down in the second innings then. Is hoping for more of the same in this clash.  Daren Ganga then gives him a long stat about how RR have actually thrown their wickets away, hinting that maybe, the batters need to respect the conditions. To this, Riyan believes that his side, in general, has batted pretty well. Adds that even in their last game against KKR, they just made a few miscalculations in the middle overs, otherwise the way Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi batted on that difficult track, was admirable. Stresses that the message to the team is that if they play 40 overs of good cricket, they can win. On the team news, the skipper informs that they are going with the same team from their last match.

Need to figure out a way - The skipper of Lucknow Super Giants, RISHABH PANT, says that they have been playing in these conditions and admits that they are still figuring out what's the best combination for them. Stresses on putting the opposition under pressure. Admits that the last few games have been really challenging for them and as players, he adds, they are looking to find ways to get back on track. Pant further tells that they need to figure out a way, just to unwind how they want to play on this surface and that they are not looking it as a disadvantage. Stresses on playing fearless cricket. On discussions ahead of this game, he shares that they have tried to make little changes than massive ones keeping stability in the team. Informs that Digvesh Singh comes in for Manimaran Siddharth.

Impact options for LSG - Himmat Singh, George Linde, Manimaran Siddharth, Matthew Breetzke and Abdul Samad.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI) - Ayush Badoni, Mitchell Marsh (OVERSEAS), Rishabh Pant (C AND WK), Aiden Markram (OVERSEAS), Nicholas Pooran (OVERSEAS), Mukul Choudhary, Mohammad Shami, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh (IN FOR MANIMARAN SIDDHARTH) and Mayank Yadav (IN FOR AVESH KHAN).

Impact options for RR - Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Yash Punja, Shubham Dubey and Tushar Deshpande.

Rajasthan Royals (UNCHANGED Playing XI) - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer (OVERSEAS), Donovan Ferreira (OVERSEAS), Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer (OVERSEAS), Nandre Burger (OVERSEAS), Brijesh Sharma and Ravi Bishnoi.

Toss goes Pant's way - The two captains, Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag are out in the middle for the TOSS. Pant, being the home captain, will flip the coin and Parag will call. Heads is the call but it is a Tail. Lucknow Super Giants elect to bowl first.

Scoring is difficult - Former Aussie grinder Simon Katich and former Indian spinner Murali Kartik are doing the PITCH REPORT for this clash. Kartik informs that he is standing at the Pavilion End and from there, he points out the dimensions. Says the square boundaries are 56 meters and 64 meters, with the straight hit being 77 meters. Stresses that this is one of those venues where scoring freely has been usually tough. Informs that in the 12 of the last 15 games, the teams chasing have won. Katich joins in and observes it is a red-soil pitch and calls it a pretty good track. Also mentions that this is the lowest-scoring venue in this season of the IPL. The reason, for that, he points out is that it has got the most amount of turn, (2.3 degrees, as shown in the on-air graphic). Reckons that there will be some turn later as it's pretty warm and there is a bit of moisture as well. So, he thinks that it might slow up later as the game progresses. On being asked about what would the captains like to do winning the toss, Katich affirms that you can win here batting first, but for that you need to bat really well. Informs that the average first inning score here has been 153, way down from 193 last year and also reckons that this will be hard work for the batters this evening. Kartik closes out by noting that it will be an interesting contest as LSG haven't set targets well, while the Royals have been pretty good in doing so.

Staying really patient - One of the failing stars of Lucknow Super Giants, Nicholas Pooran, is up for a chat with the on-air broadcasters. On being asked about his batting form, he admits that it is going very well in the nets but not in the game when needed. Adds that he is staying really patient from his side. Says that T20 format can be consistent but it can get frustrating at times as well and adds that these are the kind of moments that challenge you as an individual to stay in the fight. On the specifics that he's been working on to elevate his game, Pooran just puts it down to being ready for the opportunity and following the right processes. Stresses that he needs to make that opportunity count in the game and do what's required for the team. About the conversations in the team to get that batting clicking, he starts by crediting the bowlers who have been in good form. On the batting, he admits that they have been inconsistent and haven't achieved what they want so far. Details that they have made some changes in the batting lineup and is hopeful that will answer the questions and hopes that the batters take the responsibility as well. On the pitch, he says he hasn't yet looked at the pitch but expects it to be a good wicket with something in it for the bowlers early on. Stresses on being smart about reading the conditions.

Just a small speedbreaker - Maybe, maybe not. Are things still rosy for the team in Pink? Just two losses on the trot, right? That's how unforgiving this tournament is. One slip and it turns into a massive banana peel. Additionally, Rajasthan Royals seem to be buckling under pressure. Their batting has come under the scanner after back-to-back collapses and Riyan Parag will know how quickly momentum shifts in this tournament. They are sitting in 4th place right now, with 8 points on the board, but with 5 teams at 6 and 4 points combined, their position could quickly become a doldrum, if not rectified soon.

Calm, but for how long? Normally, when one steps into Lucknow, an etiquette of class steps in, which reminds one of the ethnicity of the royals. There is a sea of calmness around, as if to say, let even time stop here for a while, have a smell of the Lucknowi Ittar and then carry on its running. But the same cannot be said about the Super Giants. 2 wins from 3 games looked pretty good, with a long season looming. But now, while the number of wins have stayed the same, the number of games have doubled. Meaning, for stand-alone qualification, LSG will have to win at least 7 from their remaining 8 matches. Less would do, but that would mean taking favours from other teams and Lady Luck. With both, batting and bowling misfiring, the think tank has a massive headache right now.

Light after sunset? Ummm.... does not happen right, usually? Okay, let's say we have dusk for some time, but that's not there for a long time. As far as this game is concerned though, both teams are coming in with a bit of a brood - 3 losses in a row for Lucknow Super Giants and 2 in a row for Rajasthan Royals. Come what may, in this penultimate week of April, one will definitely get off the losing rut. While RR start as favourites for that, you can never count out any team in this League. Hello and a warm welcome to match 32 of the Indian Premier League between Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

... MATCH DAY ...

Crucial mid-season battle - Match 32 of the 2026 IPL season sees a clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. With both teams trying to arrest mini-slumps, this encounter carries significant weight in shaping the points table dynamics. The Super Giants enter this fixture under pressure, currently languishing near the bottom half of the table and coming off three consecutive defeats. Their latest setback was a heavy loss while chasing 250-plus, highlighting glaring issues in both bowling execution and finishing with the bat. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, began the season strongly but have recently lost momentum with back-to-back defeats, slipping slightly despite still being among the top sides. Looking for home comfort - Currently sitting 9th with only 2 wins from 6 games, Rishabh Pant’s side is almost in 'must-win' territory. The local fans are looking toward Mukul Choudhary, the breakout star of the season, to provide the late-inning fireworks. LSG’s primary concern with the bat is their middle order, as Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant have both struggled for consistency, with strike rates uncharacteristically low for the duo. With the ball, LSG had been the most economical side in this year's tournament, but in the last match, they conceded in excess of 250 runs, and that is a big worry. They might bring back Digvesh Singh in place of a pacer, but which one is a big question. Mohammad Shami is picking up wickets early on, and Prince Yadav has been fantastic during all phases. Avesh Khan is their death-over specialist, and Mohsin Khan only returned to the team in the previous game, showing glimpses of brilliance, but one does feel it will have to be one of the Khans if Digvesh does return to the XI. A bid to avoid a slump - Under the captaincy of Riyan Parag, RR have looked clinical, holding a spot in the top four of the points table despite suffering a couple of defeats in their last two games. The team underwent a massive transformation in the off-season, losing Sanju Samson to CSK but gaining the experience of Ravindra Jadeja. The opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the most explosive in the Powerplay this year. The biggest problem for the Royals in the two defeats has been that their batting order has faltered, failing to breach the 160-run barrier. In the match against SRH, RR were reduced to a shocking 9/5, but in their last game against KKR, the first wicket fell when the score was 81 in the 9th and still their middle order couldn't capitalise at all. The bowling has been pretty well-rounded thus far, and the presence of Ravi Bishnoi will certainly help the Royals as he knows all about the somewhat treacherous Lucknow pitch. Pitch and conditions - The pitch at the Ekana Stadium is generally less batter-friendly than all the other venues we see in this competition. It starts off having some good purchase for the pacer but slows down significantly around the 6-8 over mark, which brings the spinners into play big time. In terms of the weather, clear skies are expected with temperatures in and around the 35-degree Celsius mark. Also, the dew factor isn't expected to play a substantial role, which should offer a good chance of the team batting first to defend the total. Form (Last 5 completed IPL games, recent first) - LSG - LLLWW | RR - LLWWW. Predictions? This is shaping up to be a finely balanced contest, with both teams struggling for rhythm at present. While the Rajasthan Royals appear to be the more settled side on paper and also in terms of the points table, Lucknow Super Giants have the advantage of home conditions and a point to prove. Expect a tight, not-so-high-scoring thriller if the pitch plays true to its slow nature. Who do you think will come out on top?