Marcus Stoinis Leads LSG Fightback after Rajasthan Openers Start Strongly in the Run-Chase
Sanju Samson diving to make his ground (AP Photo)
The 26th game of IPL 2023 between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants is the clash of table-toppers and currently the match is quite evenly poised. RR bowled brilliantly in the first half after electing to bowl first and restricted LSG to 154-7 with a disciplined bowling performance.
Their dynamic opening pair of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal then started their run-chase brightly with an 87-run stand. Jaiswal was the aggressor between the two and played some fantastic shots on his way to 44 before Stoinis got rid of the Southpaw in the 12th over.
In the very next over, Samson was run out courtesy of the Impact Player, Amit Mishra's rapid throw. It brought a glimmer of hope back in LSG camp and soon Buttler perished in the 14th over to bring LSG right back in the game. However, the wicket of Hetmyer in the 16th over has put RR in a tricky position and from 87-0 they have been reduced to 104-4.
At the time of writing, RR are 104-4 in the 16th over with 51 needed off 29 balls. Devdutt Padikkal and Riyan Parag are in the middle now and it seems that the match will go right down to the wire. RR though still have batting left in their tank and let's see which team manages to hold its nerves better in the final phase of this game.
 "Aashay Chopade")
