Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) edged out Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a slender margin of two runs in a nerve-wracking Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Saturday.
Chasing 181 for victory, the RR fell just short, ending at 178/5 despite a valiant 74 from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and a late push from Riyan Parag. Avesh Khan starred with the ball for Lucknow, claiming 3 crucial wickets, including that of Jaiswal, to halt the RR’s charge in the death overs.
Earlier, put in to bat, LSG posted a competitive 180/5, riding on a steady 66 by Aiden Markram and a brisk 50 from young Ayush Badoni. Abdul Samad provided the finishing fireworks with a blazing 30* off just 10 balls, including four sixes.
RR got off to a flier in response, with Jaiswal and debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi (34) adding 85 for the opening wicket. However, wickets at regular intervals in the second half of the innings pegged them back. Avesh’s double blow—dismissing Jaiswal and Hetmyer in quick succession—turned the match decisively in Lucknow’s favour.
Wanindu Hasaranga (2/31) and Tushar Deshpande (1/26) were the pick of the bowlers for Rajasthan, while Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma struggled with the ball.
With this win, LSG strengthened their position on the points table, while the Royals suffered a setback in their playoff chase.
