Sanju Samson has performed admirably in the initial matches for Rajasthan Royals since 2020. He scored 74, 119, 55, and 55 in those games. Keeping up that good form, he scored 82 runs from 52 balls in the latest match against Lucknow Super Giants. He hit three fours and six sixes, helping Royals win by 20 runs in Jaipur on Sunday (March 24). Samson’s great batting, along with 43 runs from Riyan Parag, led Royals to a total of 193/4. They decided to bat first on a challenging pitch.” In the chase, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran also scored well for Super Giants, but Royals took important wickets at the right times, making it hard for Super Giants to win.
Encouraging start, but openers dismissed
Facing a dry pitch with limited bounce, Yashasvi Jaiswal found it tough against Mohsin Khan in the first over. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler managed to score a couple of boundaries off Naveen-ul-Haq. However, Buttler’s innings ended in the same over as he edged a drive, leading to a good catch by KL Rahul behind the stumps. Jaiswal then found his rhythm, hitting several boundaries, while Sanju Samson also joined the scoring spree as Mohsin Khan proved expensive. Both Samson and Jaiswal hit sixes in the fifth over, but Mohsin managed to dismiss Jaiswal soon after. Riyan Parag had a stroke of luck, getting a leading edge that Krunal Pandya couldn’t reach due to Samson’s presence at the non-striker’s end.
Samson and Parag build momentum in the middle overs
After a decent start of 54 runs in the powerplay, Rajasthan Royals faced a slowdown as the field spread out. However, Parag and Samson seized the opportunity when Yash Thakur’s pace came into play, hitting three sixes in the ninth over. They continued their attack on Ravi Bishnoi, scoring two more sixes in the 11th over, pushing Royals past 100 runs. Despite a couple of missed chances, including a top edge from Parag, they maintained their partnership, reaching 93 runs before Parag was caught off Naveen’s delivery.
Lucknow Super Giants put up a fight but Rajasthan Royals finish strong
Ayush Badoni’s economical 16th over was followed by another good over from Bishnoi, who took a key wicket, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer. However, Dhruv Jurel survived a close call and managed to clear the ropes in the same over. Samson concluded the 18th over with a powerful six off Thakur. Despite a tight over from Naveen in the 19th, Jurel and Samson ensured a strong finish for Royals, adding a four and a six respectively off Mohsin’s final over.
Left-armers make early breakthroughs
Trent Boult continued his consistent performance by taking early wickets for Rajasthan Royals. He dismissed Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal in successive deliveries in the opening over. Royals strategically used only three overseas batters in the innings, allowing them to introduce the impact player, Nandre Burger, who promptly dismissed Ayush Badoni. Despite this setback, Lucknow Super Giants recovered well as Deepak Hooda and KL Rahul steadied the innings with crucial boundaries.
Rahul and Pooran lead Lucknow Super Giants’ fightback
Although Hooda fell to Yuzvendra Chahal, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran kept Lucknow Super Giants in contention with aggressive batting. Rahul’s onslaught in the 11th over, where he struck a six and two fours off Burger, helped Super Giants gain momentum. Pooran joined the assault in the 13th over, smashing two sixes and a four off the New Zealand left-armer. However, tight overs from R Ashwin and Sandeep Sharma shifted the momentum back to Rajasthan Royals, leaving Super Giants needing 60 runs off the last five overs.
Rajasthan Royals secure victory despite Pooran’s efforts
Despite Pooran’s valiant effort, hitting a six off Chahal in the 16th over and reaching a fifty in the next over, Lucknow Super Giants fell short. Rahul departed after scoring a vital 58 runs, followed by Marcus Stoinis, who was caught at deep mid-wicket by Ashwin. Avesh Khan’s disciplined bowling in the final over denied Pooran any opportunity to launch a late surge, ensuring victory for Rajasthan Royals.
Match Summary: Rajasthan Royals showed dominance with the bat, posting a formidable total of 193/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with an unbeaten 82 runs, supported by Riyan Parag’s 43. In response, Lucknow Super Giants fought hard but fell short, managing 173/6 in their 20 overs, with Nicholas Pooran’s resilient unbeaten 64 and KL Rahul’s 58. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t overcome the strong performance of Rajasthan Royals, who clinched victory by 20 runs.
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