The fourth match of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) pits Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, March 24 at 3:30 PM IST.
Rajasthan Royals are back to challenge for the title after a fifth-place finish in IPL 2023. Their young gun, Yashasvi Jaiswal, took the league by storm last year by scoring a whopping 625 runs and will be looked up as the team’s enforcer at the top. Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, and Dhruv Jurel provide even more firepower to their batting lineup. The bowling attack isn’t lacking either. Their pace attack, featuring the likes of Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Prasidh Krishna, and Nandre Burger, brings the heat with raw pace. The experienced spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin provides a perfect blend of control and experience. RR have a taste of championship glory, having won the IPL title in the very first season in 2008. They made it to the finals in 2022 but lost against Gujarat Titans (GT). This year, with a well-rounded team, they look like a force to reckon with.
Lucknow Super Giants, despite their brief existence, have established themselves as a playoff regular since their debut in 2022. Last season, they cemented their status as a serious contender by finishing third in the league before bowing out to MI in the eliminator. Their batting firepower is undeniable, with the explosive trio of Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, and Marcus Stoinis leading the charge. KL Rahul‘s leadership, combined with the dynamic duo of Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal at the top of the order, further bolsters their batting depth. The all-rounders, Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda, add another layer of strength. However, a question mark hangs over their pace attack, which lacks experience. Young talents like Shivam Mavi, Shamar Joseph, and Yash Thakur offer promise, while spinner Ravi Bishnoi will be looking to weave his magic. The likes of Amit Mishra and Naveen-ul-Haq, with their experience and hunger, respectively, could be crucial x-factors. With a potent batting lineup and a bowling attack brimming with potential, LSG have all the ingredients for success. The upcoming season will be their chance to bridge the gap and claim their maiden IPL title.
Head-to-Head:
The rivalry between these two teams sides with RR. In their three IPL meetings, the former champions have emerged victorious twice, while the Lucknow team won once.
Where-to-Watch:
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