On Saturday, April 19, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Lucknow Super Kings (LSG) squared off in Match 36 of the IPL 2025. After winning the toss, LSG decided to bat first.
LSG got off to a poor start when Shimron Hetmyer made a sensational catch and Mitchell Marsh (4 off 6) fell early. Since LSG’s powerplay was not very good, Rishabh Pant (3 off 9) was also unable to get going. Ayush Badoni (50 off 34) and Aiden Markram (66 off 45) gave the bottom order the much-needed solidity and drive they needed to hammer their way to a manageable total in the closing stages. Abdul Samad accomplished this by hitting four sixes in the final over and scoring 30* runs off 10 balls. LSG’s final score was 180/5.
With an 85-run partnership between Vaibhav Suryavanshi (34 off 20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (74 off 52), RR got the chase off to a spectacular start. The game was Rajasthan’s to lose with this kind of start, and they did. Despite the best efforts of Shimron Hetmyer (12 off 7) and captain Riyan Parag (39 off 26), RR was ultimately unable to win easily due to a lack of momentum following the departure of the opening pair. LSG won by a slim margin of two runs thanks to an outstanding last over from Avesh Khan (3/37).
Talking Points
1. Once more, Rishabh Pant fails
The highest-paid player’s salary dropped to single digits despite Rishabh Pant’s innings-defining effort in the most recent game against CSK (63 off 49). After 5.2 overs, with the score at 46/2, the left-hander entered at number 4. The circumstances required that the run rate be increased. But Pant was unable to get going and was removed for 3(9) after Dhruv Jurel made a brilliant catch off Wanindu Hasaranga.
Thus far in the 2025 Indian Premier League, Pant has scored 107 runs in seven innings with scores of 0, 15, 2, 2, DNB, 21, 63, and 3 in that order. Despite his reputation for power hitting, the Southpaw’s strike rate is only 98.14. Despite his inability to make an impact with the bat, Pant is undoubtedly making an impact as captain. With the victory tonight, LSG moves up to fourth place with ten points.
2. In the final over, Abdul Samad hits Sandeep Kumar for four sixes.
LSG finished the 19th over of the first innings at 153/5. It appeared that the amount they would receive would be below average. But with Sandeep Kumar bowling the final over in the following few minutes, Abdul Samad significantly altered the scenario. Samad got the strike after David Miller singled off the first ball. Then he hit two sixes in a row.
Two runs were scored by Samad off the fourth ball. For the final two balls, Sandeep Kumar was under pressure and faltered. Samad gave LSG something to bowl at by hitting the remaining balls for massive sixes. The final over produced 27 significant runs that ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
3. Vaibhav Suryavanshi steals the show with an outstanding first innings.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, was the youngest player to participate in the IPL. The teenage player showed absolutely no signs of nervousness as he hit the first ball he saw for a decisive maximum over covers against Shardul Thakur. The teenager used confident strokeplay to convey himself without turning around.
With a platform-setting 85-run partnership off 52 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Southpaw kept hitting boundaries. In the end, Suryavanshi hit three sixes and two fours. The young player’s aggressive attitude, even against some more seasoned bowlers, was the most notable aspect of his innings.
Who Said What?
Riyan Parag, Rajasthan Royals Skipper
Feeling a little hard to process the emotions, not sure what we did wrong. We were in the game till the 18-19th over. I probably should have finished it in the 19th over, I blame myself. We just have to put one game together collectively for 40 overs, only then can we win. We did really well (with the ball), the last over was unfortunate, thought that we would stop them for 165-170. Sandy (Sandeep Sharma) bhai is trusted, he’s only had one bad game. Samad batted really well. We should’ve chased that down. Today was perfect, no complaints about the wicket. We were right in it, just a few balls can cost you an IPL game.
Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants Skipper
(Relief or happy?) I think both. These kind of matches build character. It was an amazing win. As a team, this is going to take us to a different level. These are the positive things we always talk about. We are going to do better as a team. All the credit to the bowlers holding their nerves at the right time. It’s not easy, especially when we’re always behind the game. They played brilliantly but our bowlers kept their nerve, especially Avesh who was fantastic. The idea was to take your own time, execute the plan with a clear mindset, taking one ball at a time. We are moving in a positive direction. Just enjoying the win as of now.
Avesh Khan, Player of the Match
My hand is good, hit my bone, I couldn’t celebrate. I don’t want to become Mitchell Starc, I just want to become a good Avesh Khan. Yorker is my strength and I try to execute it. I don’t bowl looking at the scorecard. (On Miller’s drop) I felt he would take it for sure. Just 4 were needed, there were a few doubts in my mind, one outside or inside edge could go for a boundary. I told myself to bowl a yorker on middle-leg. I think about the team. We won this. This is a big tournament, I will try to bowl the same way in the remaining matches.
India
