IPL 2022 | LSG vs RR | Resounding Royals bring decimation to Super Giants

A spirited effort from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) did not go in vain as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) lacked the cutting edge and ended as the losing side in the 63rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, held at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.

A well-rounded job by the batters, followed by utter annihilation by the bowlers, helped Rajasthan Royals maintain their upper hand throughout the game, earning them a 24-run win and almost confirming their playoff berth.

As the coin finally flipped in Sanju Samson's favour, RR chose to bat first. Although the orange cap holder Jos Buttler fell cheaply, his partner-in-crime, Yashasvi Jaiswal, made up for the other opener's dismissal. 

Jaiswal and his skipper Samson produced everything but a kitchen sink as the Royals rocketed towards a mammoth total. But as Samson is, he, after gaining yet another start, perished midway through the innings, aiming for the stars.

However, Samson's dismissal brought Devdutt Padikkal to the crease, who was also in the mood for destruction. Even though Jaiswal was the set batter, Padikkal donned the aggressor's role to perfection as it was carnage everywhere.

While Jaiswal's stay ended at the hands of part-time spinner Ayush Badoni, Ravi Bishnoi brought an end to Padikkal's momentum-changing cameo of 39 runs.

Rajasthan relied on Riyan Parag and Jimmy Neesham for an epic finish, but the duo failed in their task. The line-up does not boast quality lower-order batters, but Ravichandran Ashwin and Trent Boult sprung a pleasant surprise and led RR's way to a total of 178 runs, with the help of their 10 and 17 runs, respectively.

Lucknow Super Giants continued their trend of losing quick wickets in the early overs. This time, it was the turn of Quinton de Kock, Ayush Badoni and KL Rahul. Boult and Prasidh Krishna did the job of dismantling LSG's top-order.

Afterwards, Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya were left to save the sinking ship. While Hooda threw caution to the wind, Pandya looked conservative in his approach.

As things seemed to come back on track, RR's spin-twin Yuzvendra Chahal and Ashwin sent Hooda and Pandya packing and ended the little hopes of an LSG win.

Obed McCoy also made a mark in the wicket-column, adding the wickets of Jason Holder and Dushmantha Chameera to his kitty. While it was all a formality then, Krishna took a prized scalp of Marcus Stoinis.

Rajasthan Royals restricted the Lucknow Super Giants to 154/8, handing the latter a 24-run defeat.

Courtesy of his heroic figures of 2-18, Boult claimed the Player of the Match award.

Brief scores:

Rajasthan Royals - 178/6

Yashasvi Jaiswal 41(29), Devdutt Padikkal 39(18);

Ravi Bishnoi 2-31 (4), Ayush Badoni 1-5 (1)

Lucknow Super Giants - 154/8

Deepak Hooda 59(39), Marcus Stoinis 27(17);

Trent Boult 2-18 (4), Prasidh Krishna 2-32 (4)

Rajasthan Royals won by 24 runs.