The Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) got to witness yet another high-scoring thriller as the first match of the Sunday doubleheader saw home side Rajasthan Royals take home the 2 points against the Lucknow Super Giants with a 20-run win at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on March 24.
Deciding to bat first, Rajasthan’s opening duo of Jos Buttler (11) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) got sent back to the pavilion cheaply courtesy of Naveen-ul-Haq and Mohsin Khan respectively.
Samson leading by example
However, it was RR skipper Sanju Samson who led by example for the home side. Samson’s explosive 52-ball 82 set the stage for Rajasthan. Batting at a strike rate of above 150, Samson hit 6 sixes and 3 boundaries to help Rajasthan put up a respectable total on the board.
Your Sunday blockbuster ft. Sanju Chetta and Riyan ParAAG! 🔥🍿 pic.twitter.com/cmZQ6OJcU9
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 24, 2024
His teammate Riyan Parag also accompanied with a brilliant 29-ball 43 as runs started to flow from both the ends as Rajasthan got to a healthy total of 193/4 in the end.
Chasing which, Lucknow Super Giants didn’t get off to a great start as they lost opener Quinton de Kock in the first over courtesy of a Trent Boult delivery.
Quick wickets saw LSG struggle at 11/3 after 3 overs.
LSG skipper KL Rahul also stepped up for his side during the chase and scored a resilient knock of 58 runs. His scintillating knock was supported from the other end by Nicholas Pooran (64*) who showcased some fine power hitting on the night.
The duo stitching up an 85-run partnership wasn’t enough as another spell of wickets saw the home side take the 2 points in their bag in the end.
Special Mention
Sandeep Sharma, the hero of RR.
Bowled the 15th, 17th and the penultimate over – 1,1,1,1,0,1,W,1,1,1,0,4,WD,1,L1,4,0,0,4.
A spell of 1/22 with the wicket of captain KL Rahul. 👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/bhEo73jQc3
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2024
A special mention should go to Rajasthan Royals pacer Sandeep Sharma who bowled to perfection in the 15th, 17th, and 19th over. He ended with an economical spell of 1/22, taking the all-important wicket of LSG skipper KL Rahul as well.
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