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- RR vs LSG Highlights, IPL 2025: Avesh Khan shines with exceptional death-bowling as Lucknow down Rajasthan by 2 runs
RR vs LSG Highlights, IPL 2025: Avesh Khan shines with exceptional death-bowling as Lucknow down Rajasthan by 2 runs
The Royals’ campaign has been marred by inconsistency across departments. Despite a strong domestic core, the batting unit has underwhelmed, failing to post or chase down significant totals. While opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has shown signs of resurgence with two consecutive half-centuries, RR are yet to see impactful contributions from Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel. Samson himself has only one notable knock — 66 against SRH — and his absence could further weaken the fragile middle order. On the bowling front, Jofra Archer has begun to find rhythm, but outside of Sandeep Sharma, the attack has lacked bite and control.
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Contrastingly, LSG are in a much healthier position with four wins in seven games. Their batting has been a standout strength, powered by Nicholas Pooran’s 357 runs and Mitchell Marsh’s 295, placing them among the league’s top scorers. Rishabh Pant’s return to form with a 63 against CSK is another boost. Though their bowling started weak due to injuries, performances from Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur have helped stabilise the unit. The team is also hoping for the return of Mayank Yadav, whose raw pace impressed earlier in the tournament, pending a fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence.
With both teams looking to bounce back from defeats, the match promises to be a pivotal one — especially for Rajasthan, who desperately need a win to revive their fading playoff hopes.
Back in the Pink City, we are all in readiness for the action to begin. The two umpires walk out to the middle. RR's stand-in skipper, Riyan Parag, leads his troops to the ground as they spread out to the field. The usual pairing of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh walk out to open for Lucknow Super Giants. A mini Ashes first up then, as Jofra Archer will open the bowling for Rajasthan Royals. 'The Bison' Mitchell Marsh to face the first ball. The countdown goes off and here we go...
Down in the neighbourhood, in the day game, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans are firmly placed in the hunt of 204 runs. Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford have bossed up the proceedings with the bat, with the former inching closer to his century as GT need 25 runs in the last three overs remaining, but more importantly, with 8 wickets in hand.
Jofra Archer from the Rajasthan Royals is up for a quick chat. He says that it has been just a normal rehab thing about his elbow injury, and he hasn’t done anything extraordinary. He feels that they could have won every game they have played except for one, and it is just that they have been unfortunate to miss out on those ones. States that they need a bit of luck to turn the tables around for them. Mentions that a lot of players and staff are still the same in RR, and he hasn’t found any difficulty in adjusting here with them. Tells that he will talk about the Ashes later.
While Sanju Samson's unavailability is a big blow for Rajasthan Royals in a very crucial match, it also marks a huge opportunity for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to showcase his talent at this grand level. At 14, Suryavanshi becomes the youngest player to make a debut in the IPL.
The stand-in skipper of Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag, says they were looking to bowl first as the wicket seems to settle under the lights. Informs that Vaibhav Suryavanshi comes in for Sanju Samson. Says it's been tricky, and admits they haven't been able to put up good performances. Also says they have been having some honest chats as a team. Says they love playing at home as they know the conditions pretty well. Is hopeful to put that to good use.
The skipper of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant, says that they are going to bat first as the wicket is looking on the drier side and they want to take advantage of batting in the first inning, and he expects with little to no dew. Adds that he has told the players to stay positive and learn from their mistakes after a defeat in the last game, and they just want to improve overall going forward. States that he felt great with a fifty in the last game for the team’s cause, but he knew that a big knock was just around the corner, and he wasn’t that worried. Informs that Prince Yadav comes in for Akash Deep.
Impact Players for Rajasthan Royals - Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yudhvir Singh, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kunal Singh Rathore.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (C), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande.
Impact Players for Lucknow Super Giants - Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahamad, Matthew Breetzke.
Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Prince Yadav (In place of Akash Deep), Digvesh Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan.
TOSS - Lucknow Super Giants have won the toss and elected to BAT first.
Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (c&wk), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Aryan Juyal (wk), Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Ayush Badoni, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi.
Their batting has been a standout, led by Nicholas Pooran (357 runs) and Mitchell Marsh (295), who are among the tournament’s top scorers. Rishabh Pant’s return to form with a fifty against CSK is another boost.
LSG’s bowling, initially a weak link due to injuries, has gradually improved with Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur delivering sporadically. The potential return of pace sensation Mayank Yadav, pending fitness clearance, could add firepower to their arsenal.
The team will need a collective effort to contain a strong LSG batting lineup, especially on a surface that has supported high scores.
Nitish Rana's recent return to form with scores of 81 and 51 is a positive, but RR require breakthroughs and tighter lines to stay in contention.
Inconsistencies in both batting and bowling have hampered their campaign, and Samson’s absence could further dent their chances. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has found form with two fifties on the trot, the rest of the top and middle order, including Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, need to step up.
“Once we get a bit more clarity around the scans and the severity of the injury, we’ll take a decision going forward,” Dravid said on Friday. Samson, who had to retire hurt during the last match, had mentioned he was feeling "alright," but his availability remains uncertain.
Inconsistency has plagued RR throughout the season, both with bat and ball. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has found some rhythm with back-to-back fifties, the middle order — featuring Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel — has failed to contribute meaningfully. Nitish Rana has shown promise recently, but RR’s bowling, barring Sandeep Sharma and glimpses from Jofra Archer, lacks the penetration needed to contain strong opposition lineups.
On the other hand, LSG enter the match in a stronger position, with four wins from seven outings. Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh have been in tremendous form, while Rishabh Pant finally struck a fifty in their last game. Injuries hit their bowling early in the season, but contributions from Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur have helped steady the ship. The possible return of speedster Mayank Yadav, pending fitness clearance, could further strengthen their bowling unit.
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