Indian Premier League, 2025 |Match 36 |4/19/2025 Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Commentary
Well then, another Saturday has gone by as this wraps up the 36th match of this season of IPL. Lucknow Super Giants pull off an unexpected heist in Jaipur, defeating RR by 2 runs, and registering their fifth win of the season. Earlier in the day game, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans got the better of Delhi Capitals, by chasing a big total of 204. We have seen two games of absolutely contrasting results this evening. But that's what IPL is known for. Next up is another thrilling double header coming your way as first, it’s the Punjab Kings who will host the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). It will be followed by the rivalry of the ages as the Mumbai Indians welcome the Chennai Super Kings in Wankhede. That match will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) on Sunday, April 20th. But as you all know, our buildup begins much earlier. So make sure you tune in an hour earlier for that as well. But for now, we take your leave. Take care!
Lucknow Super Giants' Avesh Khan is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning bowling performance. He ended his spell with incredible figures of 4-0-37-3, which included the big wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer. He says that he thought his hand was broken, stopping that shot on the last ball, but it hit him just on the side of the bone. However, he could not celebrate much at that moment. Adds that he always trusts his ability to execute the yorkers, and he doesn't see the scoreboard and just tries to execute his plans. Says that he doesn't want to be Mitchell Starc but just a good Avesh Khan. Mentions that when he saw Miller was under that catch, he was confident that he would take it, but it wasn't to be. Tells that saving a six on this ground is easier than saving a boundary, but he did not think about the drop and told himself that he needs to bowl a yorker on middle and leg. Says that the chat with Pant was to choose which fielder to put outside the circle. Ends by saying that he is very happy with the win, and he always puts the team first and will look to continue his good form.
The victorious skipper of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant, is up for a chat. He reflects that these kinds of matches build character. Feels that as a team, this win is going to take them to a different level, but also says they will keep improving and do things the better way in the future. He credits the bowlers for holding their nerves. Admits that it is not that easy, especially when you are running behind in the game. Also highlights that the plan was to take time and execute their plans, and take one ball at a time with a clear mindset. Appreciates Avesh Khan for bowling well in the backend. Says they are moving in a positive direction and will talk about the areas to improve in the team meetings.
It is time for the Presentation Ceremony...
Shardul Thakur of Lucknow Super Giants is up for a quick chat. He says that it is never easy to bowl in the death overs as the pressure gets high, and he tried to run out Shimron Hetmyer but failed, but he is happy that he took the catch of him in the end. States that he just reacted to that catch, and he was probably standing in the right place, as he had seen how the batters hit in that direction. Mentions that they know about the capabilities of Avesh and they backed him to deliver here, and he has shown this in the last over, but credit also goes to Prince Yadav, who bowled the 19th over. He admits that they held their nerves better in the end, thus they won it. Tells that Prince can surprise the batter easily as he gets a bit of extra bounce, which we also see in Vizag. Says that all the players are pretty happy in LSG camp, and the management is trying to hold onto the process and not worrying about the results. Further says that they have won three or four games in the last overs, where they managed to hold their nerves, which shows how well their support staff has backed them and has given them confidence.
The stand-in skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag, is up for a chat. He says that it's hard to process all the emotions as he doesn't know what they did wrong or what went wrong. Adds that they had the game under control till the 18th-19th over, and he takes the blame for the defeat. Mentions that they bowled really well, but the last over went for a bit too much, says Sandeep Sharma is a trusted player, but it was just one bad game. Tells that no complaints with the wicket as it was a good one, and they should have done better and gotten over the line.
Earlier in the game, LSG opted to bat first, but lost three big wickets inside the first ten overs, which pegged them back. They huffed and puffed before Aiden Markram and Ayush Badoni formed a recovery partnership of 76 runs. Of all the batters, Markram looked with the most conviction, while Badoni equally played well. However, RR made a slight comeback with the death overs approaching, but Abdul Samad's impactful cameo in the last over came at a godsend time. Samad scored 30 runs off 10, and propelled this team to a challenging 180-run total. For Rajasthan Royals, Wanindu Hasaranga was the best bowler, taking a two-fer, with Archer, Sandeep, and Tushar Deshpande chipping in with one each.
However, their woes came back to haunt them come the 18th over. They lost their track by losing both Jaiswal and Parag in the same over, with Avesh snagging a double-whammy. It opened up the window for Lucknow Super Giants. It was followed by a sensational fiery penultimate over from Prince Yadav, although he went for 11 runs, RR were still left with 9 needed off the last over. Then comes Avesh Khan, tasked with the duty to save the day for his side, and he delivered masterfully with those pinpoint yorkers. David Miller unexpectedly dropped Shubham Dubey's catch in the penultimate ball, but Avesh, with a composed head over the shoulders, kept nailing those yorkers in, eventually, keeping RR stingingly a couple of runs away from the win.
Consolidation in the middle and death overs were a major issue for the Rajasthan Royals coming into this game. They were getting starts, but were not being able to capitalise on them and finish well. But this time around, Yashasvi looked like a man on a mission. He batted long and notched yet another fifty, making things mightily easy for his side.
Vaibhav's entertaining cameo of 34 eventually came to an end, with Nitish Rana following him back to the pavilion shortly after. Yet, with a rock-solid foundation established, Jaiswal continued his golden touch and found an able partner in Parag. With more than half runs chewed already, it was all about consolidating in the middle overs and keeping up with the asking rate, which the duo did extremely well.
Racing out of the gates in pursuit of 181, the Rajasthan Royals enjoyed a dream start thanks to the dynamic duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The fearless newcomer Vaibhav showed remarkable confidence, unleashing an array of boundaries while riding his luck after being dropped on 14. Together, they propelled RR to a blistering 61 without loss by the end of the Powerplay.
Cricket's timeless adage has proven itself once again – it's truly never over until the final ball is bowled. Just when the outcome seemed settled, the beautiful unpredictability of the game reminded everyone why cricket captivates hearts worldwide. It was RR's game until the 18th over, when the contest took a dramatic U-turn. Absolute scenes at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium as LSG have snatched the victory off RR's clutches. This gut-wrenching collapse hands Rajasthan Royals their sixth defeat of the season, but the mental scars may run deeper than the numbers suggest. What should have been back-to-back triumphs to ignite their campaign has instead become a momentum-killing heartbreak.
19.6
1
Avesh Khan to Shubham Dubey, LSG WIN A THRILLER HERE AND AVESH KHAN HAS DONE IT FOR THEM! He bowls a yorker again and around off, Shubham Dubey comes forward and drills it back to the bowler, who tries to get away from the shot to not get hit by it. The ball follows him, and he gets hit on his right hand and gets deflected towards the off side. The batters only manage to take a single, and LSG win by 2 runs.
19.5
2
Avesh Khan to Shubham Dubey, IN THE AIR....DROPPED! Would you believe it? Of all people, it is David Miller who spills it out. A full toss, around off, Shubham Dubey clears out his front leg and looks to go downtown for a big shot. He mistimes it high in the air towards long on. Miller runs forward and slides across to take it, but the ball bursts out of his hands. The batters run two and RR needs 4 now off the last ball. Can they do it?
19.4
0
Avesh Khan to Shubham Dubey, A well-directed yorker now and around middle, Dubey stays deep in the crease and just manages to dig it out back to the bowler. What an execution of the yorkers this is by Avesh Khan. RR need 6 runs off the last two balls.
Shubham Dubey is in at number 7. RR need 6 off 3 now.
19.3
W
Avesh Khan to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! GONE! Shardul Thakur holds onto that one, and Shimron Hetmyer is gone with RR still needing 6 off the last three balls! Avesh bowls it much fuller and on the pads, not giving any room to the batter. Hetmyer stays deep-rooted in his crease as he looks to flick it. He makes a good connection but finds the fielder at square leg. Thakur takes it with ease. The field position was bang on from the skipper Rishabh Pant, and LSG have got the wicket as Thakur has come in here just before this ball.
19.2
2
Avesh Khan to Shimron Hetmyer, Hetmyer survives and RR need 6 now! On a fuller length and touch outside off, Shimron Hetmyer crouches and looks to loft it over cover but his bat face gets turned and the ball goes off the outer half of the bat to deep backward point. The fielder Shardul Thakur makes a bit of a fumble there in collecting the ball cleanly, and that allows the batter to run back for the second. Thakur makes a direct hit from there, but Hetmyer makes it in time with a timely full-stretched dive. Two taken.
Is that a run out? Hettie saw the fielder, Shardul Thakur, fumble in the deep and called for the second run. He rushed and dived to get home at the striker's end. He is safe as he dragged his bat just before the keeper, Rishabh Pant whipped the bails off.
Avesh Khan is not happy with the shape of the ball, as a little part has popped out of the seam. Well then, the ball is being exchanged here as the fourth umpire rushes out with the briefcase of replacement balls. Pant, by the looks of it, is not happy with this as the older ball was reversing a touch. This could be a massive moment in the game, folks!
19.1
1
Avesh Khan to Dhruv Jurel, Full and around off, Dhruv Jurel shuffles across to cover the stumps and flicks it but straight to wide long on for one only. RR need 8 now.
END OF OVER 19 | 11 Runs & 0 Wkt | RR 172/4
Avesh Khan to bowl the final over of the match. He is 3-0-31-2 so far. Just cast your minds back a few moons. Same batters at the crease, in the form of Jurel and Hetmyer. It was Mitchell Starc who defended 9 runs and the match went into the super over. It is Avesh Khan this time around, with the same amount of runs needed. Can he turn the fortunes for LSG?
18.6
4
Prince Yadav to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Second boundary of the over and RR need 9 runs off the last over now! Full and on the pads, as he goes for the yorker, Shimron Hetmyer lunges and flicks it. He connects it well and finds the gap as well towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.
18.5
0
Prince Yadav to Shimron Hetmyer, A good comeback by Prince! Short of a length, into the pitch, around the left shoulder of the batter, Hetmyer gets surprised a bit and decides to sway away from it.