In match no 32 of the IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 40 runs at the Ekana Stadium.
Batting first after losing the toss, the visitors’ innings was divided into two parts. They had a disastrous start, falling to 32/3 in the opening four overs as the top order struggled against the shifting ball. However, Ravindra Jadeja came to the rescue, anchoring the back end with a controlled, unbeaten 43 off 29 balls. His late-innings surge, which included a 20-run attack against Mayank Yadav in the penultimate over, propelled RR to a competitive total of 159-6. Support from impact player Shubham Dubey (19*) gave the bowlers plenty to defend on a surface that rewarded conservative play.
LSG’s top order “surrendered meekly,” with Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant, and Aiden Markram all falling for ducks in another disastrous batting performance. Mitchell Marsh (55) was the lone warrior, scoring a tough fifty. The Australian batter had no serious support. Nicholas Pooran (22) shown glimpses of form, but his departure ultimately destroyed any realistic chances of a comeback, allowing the tail to be cleaned up in the 18th over.
While defending, the RR bowling team was clinical and persistent. Jofra Archer set the tone early on, eliminating Badoni for a duck and finished with 3/20. The pace battery, led by Nandre Burger, never let LSG’s top order a break, dropping them to 31/3 at the end of the Powerplay. Jadeja concluded his “Player of the Match” effort by getting Pooran’s key wicket, while the rest of the attack maintained a stranglehold that finally saw LSG bowled out for 119.
Ironically, LSG’s bowlers helped the squad prevail early on. Mohammed Shami was outstanding in his opening stint, ending with 2/30, while Mohsin Khan was the standout bowler with a wonderfully economical 2/17. They demolished RR’s top order with great success, taking full advantage of the situation. However, discipline dropped in the closing overs; Mayank Yadav made a difficult comeback from injury, giving 56 runs in four overs without taking a wicket. This late-innings leaking allowed RR to score 40 runs, which proved to be too much for the listless LSG batting order.
With this win, RR now have 10 points and are comfortably sitting second in the points tally.
Scorecard:
Rajasthan Royals: 159/6, Overs 20, Ravindra Jadeja 43*,
Lucknow Super Giants: 119/10, Overs 18, Mitchell Marsh 55, Jofra Archer 3/20
