Tata IPL 2024 Match 04, RR vs LSG – Match Report

March 24, 2024

Captain Sanju Samson’s impactful innings of 82 not out off 52 deliveries, combined with impressive bowling during the Powerplay and slog overs, propelled Rajasthan Royals to a successful start in the TATA IPL 2024. They secured a 20-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 4 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Samson, scoring 82 runs, and Riyan Parag, contributing 43 off 29 balls, combined to forge a superb 93-run partnership in just 59 balls, enabling RR to achieve a competitive total of 193/4. The RR pacers, led by Trent Boult and Nandre Burger, took three crucial wickets during the Powerplay, setting a strong foundation. In the slog overs, Sandeep Sharma, R Ashwin, and Avesh Khan showcased excellent bowling, especially after LSG’s resurgence, defending 60 runs in the final five overs to secure a winning start.

In pursuit of 194 runs, LSG faced an early setback when Trent Boult showcased his prowess by taking a wicket in the opening over, dismissing Quinton de Kock. Boult continued his momentum by claiming another wicket in the second over, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal with a splendid delivery. Nandre Burger also joined the action, securing his maiden IPL wicket by catching Ayush Badoni at mid-off.

LSG made a strategic move by sending in Deepak Hooda as their Impact Player, replacing Yash Thakur. Hooda began aggressively, hitting a six and a four off his first three deliveries. Teaming up with KL Rahul, they accelerated LSG’s innings, reaching fifty runs in the seventh over. Samson introduced Yuzvendra Chahal into the attack, who promptly dismissed Hooda in his first over. Following a period of economical bowling, Nicholas Pooran and Rahul increased the scoring rate. Rahul took charge against Burger, scoring a six and two fours, adding 17 runs to the total. Pooran then accelerated, hitting two sixes and a four, scoring 20 runs off Boult. Rahul completed his fifty off 35 balls, and the duo added 85 runs before Sandeep Sharma’s crucial wicket of Rahul (58 off 44) shifted the match. RR continued their momentum with R Ashwin dismissing Marcus Stoinis. In the meantime, Pooran completed his fifty off 30 balls. Despite Pooran’s efforts with two fours off Sharma, RR maintained control with an 11-run over. Avesh Khan’s superb final over, conceding only six runs, sealed the victory for RR, with Pooran unbeaten on 64 off 41 deliveries.

Before the match began, Rajasthan Royals’ captain Sanju Samson won the coin toss and chose to bat first.

The home team suffered an early setback when Naveen-ul-Haq got Jos Buttler caught behind in the second over, despite conceding a couple of fours earlier in the over. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson combined caution with aggression, contributing 36 runs off 18 balls. They managed a four and two sixes in the fifth over from Mohsin Khan, but the LSG pacer recovered to dismiss Jaiswal (24 off 12) with a sharp bouncer on the last ball of the over, mistimed to mid-on. At the end of the Powerplay, RR reached 54/2.

The spinners from LSG applied pressure and reduced the scoring rate. However, when pacer Yash Thakur entered the attack, Samson and Parag accelerated by hitting three sixes in the 9th over, scoring 21 runs in total.

Krunal Pandya maintained control and concluded his spell with figures of 4-0-19-0. Meanwhile, Samson and Parag targeted Bishnoi, hitting two sixes to reach RR’s hundred in the 11th over and also complete a 50-run partnership.

Riyan Parag had a stroke of luck when Mohsin misjudged a high catch, failing to reach it after Parag mistimed his pull shot off Bishnoi. Shortly after, Samson completed his half-century in 33 balls. The partnership between the two added 93 runs off 59 balls before Naveen-ul-Haq broke through by inducing Parag (43 off 29) to miscue a slower bouncer to deep square leg in the 15th over.

Following a calm over, LSG claimed another wicket when Bishnoi got Shimron Hetmyer caught behind. However, Samson and Dhruv Jurel maintained the pace and guided RR to a total of 193/4. Samson finished unbeaten on 82 runs off 52 balls, while Jurel contributed 20* off 12 deliveries.

After the first innings, RR brought in Nandre Burger as their Impact Player, replacing Shimron Hetmyer.

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