RR Vs LSG, IPL 2024 Match 4: Rajasthan Royals Beat Lucknow Super Giants By 20 Runs - As It Happened

Here are the highlights of match 4 of the Indian Premier League 2024 between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Sanju Samson played a huge role in the 20-run win against Lucknow Super Giants in their league opener. Rajasthan Royals ticked all boxes as Samson played a more than 50-run knock for the fifth consecutive time in the opening game for RR, Trent Boult took a wicket in the first over for the 23rd time in IPL and Riyan Parag delivered what was expected from him. LSG also did well but a few bad decisions led them to a 20-run defeat. Catch the highlights of the RR Vs LSG, match 4 of the IPL 2024, here. (Scorecard | Streaming)

Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, Ravichandran Ashwin, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Prasidh Krishna, Tanush Kotian, Nandre Burger, Kuldeep Sen, Donovan Ferreira, Abid Mushtaq, Kunal Singh Rathore

Lucknow Super Giants: Devdutt Padikkal, Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, KL Rahul(w/c), Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Shivam Mavi, Amit Mishra, Shamar Joseph, David Willey, Kyle Mayers, Ashton Turner, Krishnappa Gowtham, Prerak Mankad, Yash Thakur, Manimaran Siddharth, Ayush Badoni, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshad Khan, Mayank Yadav, Arshin Kulkarni

The square boundaries are 62 metres and 69 metres respectively with straight boundary at 79 metres. The pitch is brown and has no grass on it. There are some cracks on the pitch that may assist the spinners. The first few overs are going to be very crucial.

Rajasthan Royals have won the toss and have opted to bat

Playing XIs:

Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sanju Samson | RR Captain: We'd prefer to bat first today. Looks like a decent batting wicket; we were confident to do both, but we have a different mix today. Coming back to Jaipur creates a wonderful feeling in the dressing room. Riyan Parag will be our number four, with Jos, Hetty, and Boult already in place; Powell might come as an impact player.

KL Rahul | LSG Captain: We would have batted first as well, but the wicket seems decent. I'm glad to be back on the field; injury has been my greatest buddy over the last several years, but it makes you eager and performs much better when you return. We have four overseas options: QdK, Pooran, Stoinis, and Naveen-ul-Haq. For the time being, our primary attention is on this game.

Lucknow Super Giants: Deepak Hooda, Mayank Yadav, Amit Mishra, Prerak Mankad, K Gowtham

Rajasthan Royals: Nandre Burger, Rovman Powell, Tanush Kotian, Shubham Dube, Kuldeep Sen

Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal pair is out in the middle with Mohsin Khan gearing up for the first over. There was a delay after the second delivery due to some spider cam issues but the game started shortly after that. Including a wide, only three runs came from the first over.

RR - 3/0 (1)

Naveen-Ul-Haq was introduced into the attack in the second over and he got rid of the dangerous batter Jos Buttler on his final delivery of the over. KL Rahul took a fine catch behind by leaning forward.

RR - 13/1 (2)

Mohsin Khan continued his attack from one end and started his third over with a boundary by Samson. Then he hit a massive six. Jaiswal came to strike and smashed a six as well. Mohsin finally got a reason to smile when he dismissed the southpaw with Krunal Pandya's catch at mid-on.

RR - 49/2 (5)

In the last three overs of spinners, only 14 singles have come so far. Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya have used the pitch for their better use and the ball can be seen gripping from the surface.

RR - 63/2 (8)

Ravi Bishnoi came to bowl the 11th over and Riyan Parag smashed a six to welcome him then he took a single. Samson hit another six and grabbed 15 runs from his second over.

RR - 104/2 (11)

Yash Thakur was brought back into the attack after conceding 21 runs in his first over and gave 9 runs in that over. Sanju Samson has completed his fifty and his partnership with Parag is going strong.

RR - 128/2 (14)

The on-field umpire took his time signalling it out. But Hetmyer believed he had not edged it. However, UltraEdge revealed a little surge, and Hetmyer must go without troubling the scorers too much.

RR- 158/4 (17)

Mohsin Khan came to bowl the final over of the innings and he leaked 14 runs from that including a four and a six.

RR - 193/4 (20)

Brief Score: RR - 193/4 (20)

Sanju Samson - 82 (52), Riyan Parag - 43 (29) | Naven-ul-haq: (4-0-41-2)

Trent Boult took the 23rd wicket in the first over in IPL. He dismissed the southpaw Quinton de Kock on the fifth delivery after he hit him for a boundary. Devdutt Padikkal is the new batter. He joined KL Rahul at the crease.

LSG - 4/1 (1)

It was a length delivery that dragged on, and Padikkal didn't adjust his feet, intending to draw it but failing to bowl cleanly. His feet were stuck in cement, and his debut appearance in an LSG jersey ended poorly. The bouncer nearly knocked him out before, and now the length delivery has done its work. He was stuck on the back foot. The second strike for Boult, and RR are off to a great start.

LSG - 11/2 (3)

Burger has taken his first wicket in IPL 2024. The ball was delivered at 147.2 ticks, and Ayush Badoni attempted to drive it on the up. The bat's face twisted slightly upon impact, and he spooned an easy catch to the guy at mid-off. Buttler will not lose those. Third down for LSG, and RR is on top now.

RR - 22/3 (4)

Steps out to Chahal's first ball and perishes. He didn't even glance at it before deciding to send that out of the park. It's pushed through at 98kph, Hooda is nowhere near the pitch, and he slogs it off the inner half to deep midwicket.

LSG - 61/4 (8)

Nandre Burger came to bowl his 3rd over and KL Rahul smashed two fours and a six to collect 17 runs from that.

LSG - 93/4 (11)

KL Rahul has played a remarkable inning after wickets kept falling from the other end. He completed his half-century with a single off Ashwin's second delivery in the 14th over.

LSG - 129/4 (14)

Nicholas Pooran completed his half-century in 30 balls and now Lucknow Super Giants need 38 runs in the last two overs.

LSG - 152/5 (17)

Avesh Khan held his nerves in the final over and bowled brilliant deliveries to finish the game with Rajasthan Royal winning it by 20 runs.

LSG - 173/6 (20)

Bowled well in spots. The goal was not very lofty. We made some errors. It's good to have Mohsin returning. Naveen has played an important role for us. We'll learn from our errors. We must devise strategies for winning cricket matches. Langer has brought a lot of serenity to the group. We appreciate having him around. Missing a season was heart-breaking.

It's always wonderful to spend time in the centre. It becomes more special when you win the game. This time, I was offered a new type of duty with a little different mix. Sanga has offered me some suggestions. I believe I need to spend more time assessing conditions. Playing international matches also benefited me. It all comes down to recognising your strengths and shortcomings. I'm a batter who just reacts to the ball. I should present this prize to him (Sandeep). If he hadn't bowled those three overs, I wouldn't be Player of the Match. I heard Ash bhai mention that it's not just about skill but also about character under difficult situations.

Rajasthan Royals have won their first match of the IPL 2024 by defeating Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs thanks to a sensible inning by RR Captain Sanju Samson. We will be taking your leave. That's all from our side. Goodnight!