JAIPUR, India — Lucknow Super Giants narrowly defeated Rajasthan Royals by 2 runs in a thrilling match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This contest was a nail-biter, with Avesh Khan emerging as the hero for LSG, taking three crucial wickets and defending a meager nine runs in the final over.
Rajasthan Royals, chasing a target of 181 runs, initially looked in control, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored an impressive 74 runs off 52 balls. However, it was Khan’s spell of 3 for 37 that ultimately turned the tide in favor of LSG.
Earlier, Lucknow, led by their captain Rishabh Pant, opted to bat first after winning the toss. Aiden Markram was the standout performer for LSG, scoring 66 off 45 balls, while Ayush Badoni contributed a solid 50 off 34 balls. Their efforts helped set a challenging score of 180 for 5.
Abdul Samad provided a late surge for LSG, smashing 30 runs off just 10 balls, which included four sixes in the last over bowled by Sandeep Sharma. The Royals’ Wanindu Hasaranga was the most effective bowler, claiming 2 wickets for 31 runs.
In a surprising twist, it was 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s debut that captivated fans. The young batter made history as the youngest player ever in IPL history, scoring 34 runs off 20 balls, including a six off his very first delivery. Google CEO Sundar Pichai praised his performance on social media, saying, “Woke up to watch an 8th grader play in the IPL!!!! What a debut!”
The Rajasthan Royals started their innings strong, with the debutant Suryavanshi and Jaiswal forming a solid 85-run opening partnership, pushing the score to 61 without loss within the Powerplay. However, the match took a dramatic turn in the 18th over, where they lost Jaiswal and Riyan Parag in quick succession, courtesy of Khan’s exceptional bowling.
With the tension building, RR needed 9 runs from the final over. Khan, despite facing immense pressure, delivered expertly-bowled yorkers, which kept the batters on their toes. A dropped catch by David Miller added to the drama, as the Royals only managed to score 6 runs off the last over, ultimately falling short by 2 runs.
After the match, a disappointed Riyan Parag, the stand-in captain for RR, expressed, “It’s hard to process all the emotions… We had the game under control till the 18th over.” He accepted responsibility for the loss, remarking, “We should have done better to get over the line.” On the other hand, Pant celebrated the victory, highlighting the composure of Khan in the final moments: “These kinds of matches build character for us as a team.”
With this defeat, Rajasthan Royals find themselves at 8th place in the tournament standings, with only 2 wins out of 8 matches. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants secured their fifth victory from 8 matches, demonstrating their resilience and strategic prowess on the field.
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