Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants Ball by Ball Commentary

Lucknow have done it! Avesh Khan wins this for his side. Short of a length around off. Ravichandran Ashwin pulls it toward the deep mid-wicket region. Ravi Bishnoi drops a dolly in the deep but it does not matter. Lucknow have pulled this back brilliantly and won this close game by just 10 runs. They bag 2 points tonight. Kudos to KL Rahul and team!

Full and on off. Ravichandran Ashwin heaves it toward the deep mid-wicket and takes two.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT AT THE FENCE! What a superb catch under pressure! Full and in the slot on off. Dhruv Jurel goes deep into his crease and lofts it toward the long-on region. Deepak Hooda times his jump to perfection and takes a brilliant catch to dismiss Jurel for a golden duck. Avesh Khan has closed out this game and needs to bowl two legal deliveries to win this for Lucknow.

Dhruv Jurel comes in next. Will he be able to finish the job for his side?

OUT! CAUGHT! Devdutt Padikkal departs! Very full and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal reaches for it to slice it away but ends up edging it to Pooran behind the stumps. Padikkal goes for 26 and Rajasthan are in a fix.

LEG BYE! Good length delivery on off. Riyan Parag swings hard and misses. The ball deflects off the pad toward short third for a leg bye.

FOUR! BANG! Riyan Parag starts off the final over with a boundary. Full and outside off. Riyan Parag slices this over point for a cracking boundary.

Change. Avesh Khan comes back into the attack to bowl the final over. Will he be able to defend 18 runs?

Slower ball angling into the middle and leg. This one goes just over the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal swings early and misses. Rajasthan needs 19 off the final over.

Full and in the blockhole. Riyan Parag drills it down to long on for one.

SIX! BANG! Slower one again. Shortish and around off. Riyan Parag picks it nicely and pulls it just over the deep mid-wicket boundary for a maximum.

Slower bumper into the pitch around off. Devdutt Padikkal skips down and pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Good length angling in around off. Riyan Parag drops it into the off-side for one.

Full and on off. Devdutt Padikkal shimmies down and mistimes the lofted shot toward the long-off region for one.

Slower again. Shortish and on off. Devdutt Padikkal pulls it toward the deep square leg region for a single to end the over.

FOUR! 3rd one in the over! Pitched up on off. Devdutt Padikkal clears his front leg and lofts it toward the wide long off region for yet another boundary. Smart batting by DDP.

Back of a length outside off. Devdutt Padikkal shimmies down to cut it away but misses.

FOUR MORE! Slower ball. Short and around off. Devdutt Padikkal pulls it nicely toward the deep square leg region for back-to-back boundaries. This one just lands inside the cushion.

Edged and Four! On a good length outside off. Devdutt Padikkal skips down and edges it into the gap between the keeper and short third for a streaky boundary.

Slower bumper outside off. Devdutt Padikkal makes room and reaches for it, only to bunt into covers.

A dot to end the over. Full and on off. Riyan Parag prods and pushes it straight to the man at point.

Flat on the leg peg. Devdutt Padikkal paddles it to short fine leg for one.

Googly skids outside off. Devdutt Padikkal plays and misses.

FOUR! BANG! Shortish and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal goes back and pulls it toward wide of long on fielder for a cracking boundary.

Googly on the middle and leg. Riyan Parag hangs back and works it through mid-wicket for one.

Shortish and skids outside off. Riyan Parag cuts it to point.

Low full toss angling on the middle and leg, knocks it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and in the blockhole. Riyan Parag digs it out and pushes it to covers.

Change of pace again just outside off. Devdutt Padikkal works it through point for one.

Parag gets off the mark. Length, outside off. Parag taps it to point and rushes to the other end.

Off-pace delivery on off. Riyan Parag bunts it uppishly just wide of Avesh Khan.

Riyan Parag is the new man at the crease.

OUT! CAUGHT! Hetmyer departs! Avesh Khan takes a huge scalp! Full-length delivery outside off. Shimron Hetmyer gets low to loft it up and over but ends up slicing it off the cue end. The ball goes toward the long on region. KL Rahul runs in and takes a fine catch to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer. Lucknow are right back in this.

A dot to end the over. Full-length delivery on off. Devdutt Padikkal prods and knocks it into covers. Rajasthan now needs 51 of the final 5 overs.

Good-length ball on the pads. Shimron Hetmyer chips it through mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length slower ball down the leg. Devdutt Padikkal nudges it to deep square leg for one.

WIDE! On a good length angled down the leg. Devdutt Padikkal lets it go and the umpire calls it a wide.

LEG BYE! Full-length delivery angling on the pads. Shimron Hetmyer plays it forward and gets hit on the pad. The ball deflects off the pad toward point for a leg bye.

Change of pace again around off. Devdutt Padikkal chips it uppishly through square leg for one.

Slower ball, full and at the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal drops it onto the pitch.

Full and just outside off. Devdutt Padikkal opens the bat face and guides it toward point for one.

On a length and angled down the leg, Shimron Hetmyer works it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Good length delivery on the middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer plays it with a straight bat and bunts back to Stoinis.

Shimron Hetmyer is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Marcus Stoinis gets the huge wicket of Jos Buttler. Short of a length around off. Jos Buttler goes back and pulls it straight into the hands of Bishnoi at deep mid-wicket who pouches this safely. KL Rahul is elated and knows the importance of this wicket.

Full outside off, driven to sweeper cover for one.

Good length delivery on off. Buttler is squared up and bunts this through point for one.

Strategic Break! Lucknow have got back in this game with two quick wickets. Rajasthan lost the set Yashasvi Jaiswal and their skipper Samson in quick succession. They now need 60 off the last 7 overs. They will fancy themselves to chase this one with Jos Buttler in the middle and Shimron Hetmyer to follow. An exciting passage of play is coming up.

Floated and full, on off. Jos Buttler guides it down to short third man for a quick single.

On off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it into covers and gets off the mark with one.

Devdutt Padikkal is the new batter at number 4.

OUT! RUN OUT! Lucknow needed a wicket and Rajasthan have gifted them one here. Sanju Samson trudges back to the dugout on just 2 runs. A huge miscommunication leads to this breakthrough. It is fuller, on the pads. Jos Buttler glances it around the corner to short fine leg. Jos Buttler calls for the run, but stops mid way. Amit Mishra collects the ball and throws it to the keeper. Nicholas Pooran gathers the ball and dislodges the bails quickly. Sanju Samson makes sure to go through his run, so that Buttler stays out at the crease.

A bit short, on leg. Buttler whips it to deep mid-wicket for two runs. Krunal Pandya does extremely well in the deep to save a certain boundary.

LEG BYE! It is full, sliding down leg. Sanju Samson tries to flick it away but misses. The ball rolls out of his pads and they collect a leg bye.

Flatter and on off. Buttler pushes it to covers for one.

A length ball, on the pads. Sanju Samson flicks it through mid-wicket and collects a brace. The Rajasthan skipper gets off the mark.

A length ball, on off. Sanju Samson tries to heave it across the line but misses. Sanju Samson gets hit near his box. He might need some time to take the pain of.

Marcus Stoinis dishes a length ball, that comes in from outside off. Sanju Samson guides it towards point.

Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson comes in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan takes a stunning low catch but he has really hurt himself here. Marcus Stoinis has the last laugh here and gets rid of the set batter in Yashasvi Jaiswal. Marcus Stoinis hurls in a short ball, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts it late to backward point, but does not middle it. The ball flies straight to Avesh Khan who is stationed there and he takes a good low catch bending forward.

Length, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to chase it but misses.

SIX! ALL THE WAY! Yashasvi Jaiswal breaks his shackles. Marcus Stoinis goes full, on off. It is in the arc for Yashasvi Jaiswal and the southpaw capitalises on it, as he smokes it over the mid-wicket fence.

It is very full, on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal knocks it down to long on for a single. Rajasthan are cruising at this stage.

Outside off, angling across. Yashasvi Jaiswal taps it to covers.

Darted on the pads, Jos Buttler clips it to short fine leg for one.

A single now as Yashasvi Jaiswal pushes this full ball into covers.

LEG BYE! Amit Mishra appeals for lbw but the umpire is unmoved. Lucknow don't even have any review left to question the umpire's decision. It is fuller, down leg. Jos Buttler tries to sweep it away but misses. The ball rolls out to short fine leg off his pads. The batters cross for a leg bye. Somehow, KL Rahul gets hit on the back of his right shoulder, after the back up fielder tries to throw it back towards the bowler.

FOUR! What a shot. Jos Buttler continues to hurt Mishra with the switch hit. It is looped up, full and on off. Jos Buttler gets low and reverse sweeps it past backward point for a boundary.

Quicker and fuller, on middle. Jos Buttler tickles it to short fine leg and rushes to the other end. The throw is a bit wayward at the non-striker's end and Buttler is safely in.

Full, on fourth stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal sweeps it behind square on the leg side for one.

Another single now. Bishnoi angles it in, full and on leg. Buttler clips it into the leg side for another one.

Pushed through quicker, full and on middle. Yashasvi Jaiswal nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

BYE! Misses everyone! It is very full, outside off. Jos Buttler tries to chase it but misses. Nicholas Pooran fails to collect it as well. The batters collect a bye.

Loops it up, on off, Jos Buttler taps it out to safety.

Rajasthan are cerainly happy with a boundary per over. They continue to run hard between the wickets. Flatter and on off. Buttler pushes it to point for a single. The spinners haven't been able to faze these two batters yet.

Another single now! Full, on the pads. Yashasvi Jaiswal clips it to mid-wicket for one more.

Fuller, on off. Buttler drives it to mid off and he scampers across for a quick single.

FOUR! Nicely played. It is tossed up, full and outside off, turning away. Jos Buttler reverse sweeps it behind backward point. He gets it through the gap and finds the boundary.

Very full, outside off. Jos Buttler leans in and helps it to covers.

Floated and full, on middle. Jaiswal nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

The impact-sub Amit Mishra comes into the attack. He replaces Kyle Mayers.

Three singles in a row to end the over. Shorter, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts it to backward point and crosses.

Buttler pushes this full ball into covers for a single.

Darted on the pads, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it through mid on for a single.

An appeal for lbw but turned down! It is floated and full, around leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets low and tries to sweep it away but misses. KL Rahul takes his time and eventually goes for the review. Much more in hope. The UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitching outside edge. And that is how Lucknow lose all their reviews.

Fuller, on off. Buttler smacks it down the ground but Daniel Sams is there in the deep to deal with it. One taken.

FOUR! Nicely played. It is tossed up, around off. Jos Buttler stays inside the crease and punches it through the gap at covers. The outfield is quick, and the ball race away. The siren goes off and the umpire signals a no ball. Free Hit coming up.

Floated and full, on leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal tucks it into mid-wicket for one.

Good length, on top of off. Yashasvi Jaiswal closes the face of the bat and works it towards long on. One taken. A tidy start from Marcus Stoinis with the ball.

Length, around middle. Jos Buttler gets inside the line, flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Slower length ball, outside off. Jos Buttler pushes it to point, but could not find the gap.

Length, on leg stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it down to long on for one.

Yashasvi Jaiswal steps down the wicket to this length ball. He tries to flick it away but wears a blow on his pads.

Marcus Stoinis starts with a length ball, angled in on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal blocks it off solidly.

Strategic break! Rajasthan have got off to a flier in pursuit of 155. Yashasvi Jaiswal has taken off nicely and is going well at 27* off 17. Jos Buttler is slowly getting in and these are excellent signs for the home side. Lucknow have a lowish total to defend and will need a couple of quick wickets to come back into the game.

FOUR! Three boundaries come off this over. A good one for the hosts. A length ball, outside off. Jos Buttler cuts it late and steers it past backward point for four runs. At the end of Powerplay, Rajasthan have their noses in front.

Full length, wide of off. Buttler shuffles and strokes it to point.

On a length again, on middle. It skids through. Yashasvi Jaiswal dabs it out to covers and gets to the other end quickly.

Beaten! A length ball, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to chase it but misses.

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. Jaiswal gets a bit fortunate this time. It is full again, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball takes the outside edge and flies over backward point. Naveen-ul-Haq leaps but the ball goes through his fingers and into the fence.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal wants to make the most of the Powerplay. It is pitched up, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal stands tall and drills it past mid off for a cracking boundary.

Two dots on the trot to end the over! Good comeback by Yudhvir Singh. It is full, wide outside off. Jos Buttler slashes hard but misses.

Very full, on middle and leg. Jos Buttler nudges it to the leg side.

SIX! BOOM! What a shot. Jos Buttler has had enough. A full-length ball, on the pads. Jos Buttler picks it up nice and early and smokes it way over the square leg fence. The crowd has become lively now.

Very full, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal drives it powerfully to covers, but only gets a single. The fielders are backing the bowlers here.

The physio runs out to have a closer look. Yudhvir Singh informs that he is good to continue and the physio is back in the dugout.

Excellent stop. Yudhvir Singh fires in a yorker, in the blockhole. Yashasvi Jaiswal crunches it back to the bowler. Yudhvir Singh gets down quickly and gathers the ball. He although tastes the wicket as his spikes get stuck in the deck. Great piece of fielding off his own bowling here.

FOUR! Okay then, it seems like Yashasvi Jaiswal is going to take on Yudhvir Singh. A length ball, angled across, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal stays back and hits it through point for four runs. Some pressure comes off Rajasthan now.

Very full, on off. Jaiswal pushes it to mid off and scampers across for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. This has been a solid start by Lucknow.

Back of the hand delivery, length, angling across the left-hander outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to have a poke at it but misses.

Good length, in the channel. Jos Buttler tries to free his arms and hit it through the line but only gets an inside edge on his pads. The ball rolls out to point and they sneak a single as well.

Avesh Khan continues to keep things tight. It is much fuller, outside off. Buttler uses his feet and only manages to tap it to covers.

Khan steams in and serves a length ball, angled into the batter. Buttler moves back and pushes it gently into covers.

Length ball, around off. Buttler knocks it to point.

Hard length into the surface around off. Jos Buttler punches it through point for one.

Another dot! 3 dots in a row. Full and on off. Jos Buttler bunts it to covers.

Change of pace. Full and around off. Jos Buttler pushes this to extra cover for a dot.

Full and a hint of shape outside off. Jos Buttler goes for the drive and misses.

On a length and slanting down the leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal turns this toward deep square leg for one.

Full at the leg peg, pushed to wide mid on for one.

SIX! BOOM! Slightly short around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back, picks the length early, and dispatches it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

FOUR! BANG! Overpitched around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal drives it on the up and through the mid off region for an elegant boundary.

Hard length into the surface on the middle and leg. Jos Buttler tucks it past short leg for one.

Full again at the stumps, driven to mid on for none.

Full-length delivery outside off, pushed to covers for a dot.

5 WIDES! On a length and slanting down the leg. Jos Buttler lets it go. Nicholas Pooran dives to his left to stop this one but the ball goes away from him into the fine leg fence for five wides.

Hard length just outside off. Jos Buttler pokes at it from the crease with no feet movement and gets beaten.

Yudhvir Singh to share the new ball.

Slower ball. Full and on off. Driven to mid off for a dot. Just 2 off the over.

Full toss on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal skips down and bunts this to mid off.

Off-pace delivery around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal waits and guides it toward the slips.

Full-length delivery just outside off. Jos Buttler prods and pushes this to covers for one.

Full on off, driven to mid off for a quick single. Rajasthan and Jaiswal open their account.

Naveen-ul-Haq starts off with a full ball sliding down the leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal plays all around it and gets hit on the pad. A huge appeal from Lucknow but is turned down by the umpire. KL Rahul goes upstairs to have a look. The UltraEdge confirms that there is a spike on the bat and Jaiswal stays on. Lucknow lose a review on the very first delivery.

OUT! RUN OUT! This has been a brilliant comeback by Rajasthan. Short ball, on off. Singh pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The batters collect the first one but push for the second run which was never there. Shimron Hetmyer throws it to the keeper and Samson takes the bails off in a flash. Lucknow end their inning at 154/7.

Yudhvir Singh is the new batter in.

OUT! RUN OUT! Brilliant piece of fielding by the skipper behind the sticks. Sharma comes with a variation this time and serves it slow, on a length, outside off. Krunal Pandya tries to heave it across the line but misses. Nicholas Pooran calls for the single, but Sanju Samson does not miss the stumps at the striker's end with his throw and Pooran has to walk back.

FOUR! Without wasting any time, Pandya gets off the mark with a boundary. It is a wide yorker, Pandya shuffles way across the crease and slashes hard. The ball outside edges and flies over backward point for four runs.

Krunal Pandya walks out to bat at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Sandeep Sharma has been a revelation this season. He has been consistent for Rajasthan this season. A short ball, outside off. Marcus Stoinis tries to ride the bounce by playing the upper cut, but only manages to get a feather on it. Sanju Samson completes the catch behind the sticks and the umpire raises his finger.

A brilliant start by Sharma. No boundaries yet. Very full, on off. Pooran crunches it down the ground. Sandeep Sharma only manages to get a hand on it. The batters sneak a single as it rolls to mid on.

Good-length ball, outside off. Pooran swats it to deep mid-wicket. The batters push hard for the first one and get the second one with much ease.

Full toss, on off. Marcus Stoinis hits it down to long off and collects a brace. So, 17 runs off this over. Lucknow would be aiming to get something similar in the final over as well.

Very full, outside off. Pooran steers it down to third man and crosses.

FOUR! Oh dear! Jason Holder does not ace his wide yorker this time. It is more of a full toss, wide of off. Nicholas Pooran slashes hard and gets it over backward point for four runs.

Much fuller, wide outside off. Pooran tries to chase it but misses. This wide yorker comes off nicely for Holder.

FOUR! This is over Lucknow were waiting for all this time. It is fuller, going down leg. Pooran wrists it behind square on the leg side for a fine boundary.

SIX! BANG! Nicholas Pooran puts the pressure on Holder instantly. It is a length ball, sliding down leg. Nicholas Pooran picks it up nicely and smokes it way over the square leg fence.

Quicker and full, outside off. Pooran taps it into covers for a quick single. Ravichandran Ashwin ends his spell of 4 overs with two wickets to his name.

It is very full, outside off. Nicholas Pooran gets low and slices it over mid off. The ball towards wide of long off but lands safely. Two runs taken.

Another single. This won't hurt Rajasthan at all. Pushed through quicker, on the pads. Marcus Stoinis flicks it to wide long on for one.

Ashwin angles it in, full and on leg. Pooran drives it toward mid off and crosses.

Flatter and on leg. Marcus Stoinis moves back and hits it down to long on for just one.

Ashwin operate from 'round the wicket. Full and on leg. Marcus Stoinis tries to go for the reverse sweep but takes a blow on his pads.

Fuller, on the pads, Pooran clips it through square leg for a brace. Only one boundary in the last two overs. This is a concern for Lucknow.

Very full just around off. Nicholas Pooran skips down and bunts back to Sandeep Sharma.

Short and on off. Marcus Stoinis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Sandeep Sharma offer no-pace this time. Marcus Stoinis fails to read it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Marcus Stoinis times it well and finds the boundary. A length ball, on top of off. It skids through. Marcus Stoinis stays back and punches it past extra cover. The outfield is lightning quick and the ball races away to the fence.

Shorter, on the body. Pooran swivels and pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Sandeep Sharma (2-0-16-0) comes back into the attack.

A couple to end the over! Shortish, around off. Stoinis nudges it into mid-wicket and has enough time to come back for the second run.

A low full toss, sliding down leg. Pooran clips it to deep square leg for one more. When these two batters are only dealing in singles, then it would certainly be a difficult pitch to bat on.

Full length, on off. Marcus Stoinis knocks it down to long on for a single.

Fuller, angled into the pads. Pooran gets an inside edge. The ball deflects off his pads into covers and they cross.

Holder now comes 'round the wicket. It is a length ball, angled in, outside off. Pooran tries to punch it off his back foot but misses.

Holder serves a slower ball, full and into the pads. Marcus Stoinis tucks it into mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic break! Well, a much-needed one for Lucknow. They are in all sorts of trouble here after losing 4 wickets in quick succession. Lucknow needs a huge stand from Pooran and Stoinis. Meanwhile, Rajasthan would be aiming to break this stand and get the tail-enders on the crease as soon as possible. We are into the business end of this inning. Lucknow needs to add some impetus at the dying stages here. Rajasthan have made the impact-player substitution. Devdutt Padikkal comes in as the impact player replacing Yuzvendra Chahal.

Flat around off, Marcus Stoinis stays back and punches it to long off for one.

Wrong'un on off. Nicholas Pooran drops it toward point for a single.

Full and on the leg. Nicholas Pooran gets low and sweeps it straight to the man at short fine leg.

Tossed up outside off, Marcus Stoinis reaches for it and drives it through covers for one.

Tossed up around off, driven to long off for one.

Flat at the stumps, Marcus Stoinis hangs back and punches it to long on for one.

Full at the stumps, Pooran bunts it back to Ashwin.

Nicholas Pooran is the new man in. One left-hander coming on for another.

OUT! BOWLED! Ravichandran Ashwin strikes again! His 2nd wicket in the over. Flat and slides on with the arm. Mayers plays for the spin but misses and the ball crashes into the stumps. Kyle Mayers departs after playing a fine knock. Ashwin gets the better of him and Lucknow have lost 4 wickets in quick time.

Full at the stumps, worked away to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Deft Touch! Marcus Stoinis is up and running with a boundary. Low full toss on the stumps. Marcus Stoinis gets low and plays the reverse sweep through the short third region toward third man for a boundary.

Marcus Stoinis is the new batter in. Lucknow persistent with their left-hand, right-hand combination.

OUT! WICKET! TAKEN! Full and at the stumps. Deepak Hooda gets down to slog it away but gets the height and not the distance. He finds Shimron Hetmyer at the deep mid-wicket fence who runs around and dives forward to take a fantastic catch. Lucknow loses another as Hooda walks back for just 2.

Arm ball on the middle and leg. Kyle Mayers hangs back and inside edges it toward short fine leg for one.

Googly outside off, Kyle Mayers hangs back and works it toward deep extra cover for a single. Mayers brings up his FIFTY here.

FOUR MORE! Shortish around off. Kyle Mayers goes back and pulls it into the gap between the deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for another boundary.

FOUR! Cracking shot. Chahal pitches it up, full and on off. Kyle Mayers crunches it over mid off and finds the boundary.

Flatter, outside off. Mayers cuts it to backward point.

Wrong'un and slower through the air on the stumps. Kyle Mayers goes back for the pull but ends up lobbing in inside the circle toward the mid on region. The ball falls in no man's land and the batters take two.

Drifts it down the leg, Deepak Hooda nudges it through the backward square leg for a single.

Full at the stumps, driven past the bowler down to long on for one.

Good length delivery just outside off. Hooda drives it to point.

Deepak Hooda walks in with his sword now.

OUT! BOWLED! The experiment with Ayush Badoni fails for Lucknow. Good length delivery, outside off. Ayush Badoni moves across and looks to play the scoop shot. Although he only manages to get an edge on it and the ball crashes into the stumps. Boult gets the second wicket for Rajasthan. Badoni trudges back on a single.

Back of a length just outside off. Ayush Badoni looks to punch it away but misses. This one keeps a tad low.

LEG BYE! Full and angling in on the middle and leg. Kyle Mayers heaves across the line and gets hit on the pad. The ball ricochets toward the point and the batters run for a leg bye.

Full and around off, Ayush Badoni knocks it to long on for one.

Full, angled into the pads. Kyle Mayers taps it out to mid off. A successful over from Holder comes to an end.

LEG BYE! On a good length and coming in around the off stump line. Ayush Badoni is a long way down the track and gets hit on the pad. The ball deflects off the pad toward the point and the batters cross for a leg bye.

Ayush Badoni comes in at number 3.

OUT! WICKET! KL RAHUL departs! Full on the middle stump line. KL Rahul looks to go big but lofts it straight into the hands of Jos Buttler at the long on boundary. Holder breaks the opening stand and Lucknow loses its first. The home crowd finally has something to cheer about. Can Rajasthan build on this wicket?

Low full toss on the stumps. Kyle Mayers hammers it over the bowler down the ground to long off for one.

Full on the middle and leg, knocked to long-on for one.

On a good length and angled in on the leg peg. Kyle Mayers heaves it to deep backward square leg for one.

Ashwin angles it in, full and on middle. Mayers punches it down the ground to long on and retains the strike with a single. Have these two batters gone back into their shells? Or were they just showing respect to Ashwin?

Pushed through quicker, full and outside off. Kyle Mayers chops it into the deck.

Another single now, as KL Rahul pulls this short one into mid-wicket. This has been a very quiet over for Lucknow.

Floated and full, on off. Mayers pushes it down the park for a single.

WIDE! Ravichandran Ashwin spills it full, way outside the tramline, wide of off. Wide called.

On off, defended out solidly.

Fuller, angling down leg. KL Rahul tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Strategic Break! Rajasthan kept it tight for the first 7 overs but Lucknow stepped on the gas and got a couple of boundaries in the last few overs. Kyle Mayers and KL Rahul have set up a good platform for their power hitters and they will be looking to kick on from hereon. Rajasthan will look to pick a few quick wickets and get back into the game.

Tossed up, full and on off. KL Rahul hits it down to long on. He retains the strike with a single.

SIX! BANG! KL Rahul seems to be back to his best. It is fuller, on leg. KL Rahul gets low and slogs it over the square leg fence for a maximum. Staight into the stands.

Tossed up and spins just outside off. KL Rahul pushes this into covers.

Wrong'un outside off. Kyle Mayers eases this through point for one.

FOUR! Kyle Mayers is certainly in the groove. Full, going down leg. Kyle Mayers drags his sweep down to fine leg and gets four runs for it.

SIX! Kyle Mayers puts instant pressure on the Purple Cap holder. It is a googly, on off. Kyle Mayers reads it early and hammers it down the park for a biggie.

FOUR! KL Rahul is getting in the mood as well. Short one, outside off. KL Rahul stands tall and swats it through mid-wicket for four runs.

Kyle Mayers now comes down the track to this full ball and flicks it to wide long on for a single.

SIX! Kyle Mayers continues to put the bad balls away. A slower length ball, around middle. Kyle Mayers gives himself some room and smokes it over the mid off fence for a biggie.

Shorter, in the channel. KL Rahul dabs it to point and gets to the other end.

LEG BYE! Jason Holder goes full, around leg. Kyle Mayers fails to flick it away and it rolls to short third man off the pads. The batters collect a leg bye. Jason Holder makes a stifled appeal for lbw, but certainly pitching outside leg.

Jason Holder starts with a bumper, on leg. Kyle Mayers tries to heave it across the line but the ball pops up off his thigh pads.

Jason Holder comes into the attack.

Back of a length, outside off. KL Rahul chops it to backward point. There is a misfield and the batters take a couple. Rajasthan have restricted Lucknow to just 43 runs at the end of 7 overs. The hosts are loving life back in Jaipur.

Fuller, on off. KL Rahul pushes it gently into covers.

Floated and full, around off. Kyle Mayers dabs it down to short third man for a single.

Flights it up this time, full and on off. Mayers knocks it to point.

Darted on the pads, Rahul tucks it to the leg side for a single this time.

Fuller, angled into the pads. KL Rahul nudges it to wide of mid on. He places it well in the gap and the batters take two runs.

Yuzvendra Chahal comes on now.

Flat on the leg stump. KL Rahul knocks it down to long on for one.

FOUR! KL Rahul finds the gap really well this time. A much-needed boundary to release some pressure. It is a loosener, short, on the body. KL Rahul swivels and pulls it behind square on the leg side for four runs.

Tossed up, full and outside off. KL Rahul presses forward and pushes it into covers.

Floated and full, KL Rahul drives it into covers.

Ravichandran Ashwin takes the bails off before the ball even comes to him. Nevertheless, a very tight situation. It could have been curtains for Kyle Mayers. It is flatter, on leg. KL Rahul goes back and cuts it to point. Mayers ventures out for a single but is sent back. Eventually, some rub of the green keeps him out on the field.

Ravichandran Ashwin starts from 'round the wicket and angles it in, full and on off. Mayers pushes it out into covers and gets to the other end.

DROPPED! Full and around the off stump. KL Rahul lofts it over the mid-off region. Jason Holder stationed there goes back to take the catch but spills the chance and Rahul gets a lifeline here. The batters take two.

Edged and FOUR! Full and shapes away outside off. KL Rahul slashes hard and edges it past Sanju Samson toward the third man region for a streaky boundary.

LEG BYE! Full toss on the leg peg. Kyle Mayers misses the flick but the ball ricochets off the pads toward the slip and the batters cross for a leg bye.

Back of a length delivery angled in. Kyle Mayers looks to pull this one but inside edges it onto the pitch.

SIX! BOOM! MAYERS GOES BIG! Full at the middle and leg. Kyle Mayers makes room and lofts it inside out over the deep extra cover boundary for a biggie. Excellent hit by Mayers.

Full at the stumps, driven to mid on for none.

Low full toss on the stumps. Kyle Mayers works this to deep square leg for one.

Back of a length angling in around off. KL Rahul gets on top of the bounce and punches it toward extra cover for one. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes to his right, stops the ball, and has a shy at the stumps. Rahul was a goner if that would have hit.

Good length delivery just outside off. KL Rahul makes room to cut this one but ends up chopping it toward the keeper Samson.

Slower delivery. Full and on the stumps. Kyle Mayers pushes it to mid off for one.

Full on off, driven back past Sharma for one.

DROPPED! OH NO! Full-length delivery around off. KL Rahul skids down and drives this uppishly toward Yashasvi Jaiswal at covers who puts this one down. An early let-off for Rahul. How big will this cost Rajasthan?

A dot to end the over. Back of a length just outside off. Kyle Mayers swings across the line and misses. Just 2 off it.

On a good length and on top of the stumps. Kyle Mayers prods and defends it to short cover.

Bowls it on a full length this time on the middle and leg. Kyle Mayers looks to flick and misses.

On a good length and on the middle and leg. Kyle Mayers gets behind the line and defends it.

Full again around off. Kyle Mayers drives but gets an inside edge through the square leg region. Mayers comes back for the second.

Good length ball around off. Kyle Mayers drives it to mid on.

FOUR! BANG! Full and a hint of shape outside off. KL Rahul leans into it and drives it crisply through the cover-point region for a boundary.

Full ball that skids around off. KL Rahul comes forward and gets an inside edge through mid-wicket for a couple.

Full-length delivery on off. Kyle Mayers pushes it to mid off and scampers a quick single.

Very full delivery outside off stump. Kyle Mayers hangs back in his crease and guides it straight to the fielder at the backward point. Mayers could not make the most of the Free Hit.

NO BALL! The umpire now signals a no ball, as the bowler oversteps. Free Hit coming up.

EDGED and FOUR! A full ball that shapes away outside off. Kyle Mayers slashes hard and edges it toward the third man region. The ball just lands in front of Boult who comes forward to take the catch but the ball beats him and goes away to the fence for four runs.

Sharma starts off with a full ball around off with a hint of swing that shapes back in. Kyle Mayers covers the line and defends into the off-side.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Sandeep Sharma.

A maiden to start from Boult. On a good length and on the leg stump line. KL Rahul looks to tuck it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads that rolls onto the pitch.

Good length ball on off. KL Rahul defends into the off-side.

Back of a length delivery angled in around the middle and leg. KL Rahul rides the bounce and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Good length delivery on off again. KL Rahul dabs it into covers.

On a good length again and a hint of swing on off. KL Rahul defends forward.

Boult starts off from round the wicket. Bowls it on a length and swings back in around off. KL Rahul prods and gets beaten. Terrific start first up.

Okay then, it feels good to be back in Jaipur for an enticing match in the Indian T20 League. The crowd has gathered in good numbers as the game is set to begin. Rajasthan players make their way out on the field. Followed by KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers who walk out to open for Lucknow. Trent Boult has the new ball in hand. Here we go...

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow starts by saying he would've bowled first as well as this is the first game being played here. Mentions that it is important for them to start well and put a big score on the board. Adds that his side has had quality across all the facets of the game. Informs that they try to keep the left-hand, right-hand combination as deep as possible. States that it is a bit unfortunate for Quinton de Kock to stay out, he himself has loved to the bat with him, but Mayers is doing extremely well at the moment. So it becomes very difficult to accommodate QDK in the side with just 4 overseas players allowed.

Sanju Samson, the captain for Rajasthan is in for a chat. He says that they will bowl first. Adds that it looks like a good surface and happy to be back in Jaipur after 4 years. Mentions that it is all about how they react in tough situations and respond to challenges. Says that they are playing with a positive attitude and fearless mindset as well as backing themselves. Closes by sharing the change in their XI - Holder comes in for Zampa

Impact players for Rajasthan - Devdutt Padikkal, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vasisht, Donovan Ferreira, Navdeep Saini.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(C/ WK), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder (In for Adam Zampa), Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact players for Lucknow - Jaydev Unadkat, Krishnappa Gowtham, Daniel Sams, Prerak Mankad, Amit Mishra.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, Yudhvir Singh, Naveen-ul-Haq (In for Mark Wood), Ravi Bishnoi.