In the fourth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 20 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
RR won the toss and opted to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) and Jos Buttler (11) began firing right from ball one, which was later accelerated by skipper Sanju Samson (82*). The right-handed batter remained not out and hammered six sixes and three fours, which made sure that the team reach a massive score. Riyan Parag (43) also returned the benefits bestowed to him by the team in the last few seasons, blasting a few balls out of the park. Towards the end, Dhruv Jurel also smoked a six and a four which took the Rajasthan-based team to a massive score of 193/4 in 20 overs.
In the chase, KL Rahul (58) got off to a powerful start as he scored a brilliant fifty. The skipper was dismissed in the 17th over, and if he had batted a few more balls, LSG would have been in contention for two points. Nicholas Pooran (64*) was the only other batter to get to fifty. Playing at a strike rate of 156, Pooran hit four fours and four sixes. The team lacked gentle partnerships towards the conclusion of the inning, leaving them 20 runs shy of their target.
For RR with the ball, Trent Boult was absolutely on song as he claimed two wickets. One wicket was also plucked by Nandre Burger, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sandeep Sharma.
While bowling in the first innings, Naveen-ul-Haq picked up two wickets while one wicket each was taken by Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan.
RR skipper Sanju Samson was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding batting display. With this win, RR have clinched their first two points of the season.
Scorecard:
Rajasthan Royals: 193/4, Overs 20, Sanju Samson 82*, Naveen-ul-Haq 2/41
Lucknow Super Giants: 173/6, Overs 20, Nicholas Pooran 64*, Trent Boult 2/35