IPL 2025
LSG celebrate the win after Avesh Khan defended nine runs in the last over © Sportzpics
Avesh Khan came up with a stunning display at the death to deny Rajasthan Royals a comfortable win in Jaipur on Saturday (April 19). An evening that was headlined by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s impressive IPL debut turned sour for the Royals as they lost their fourth successive game – their second choke on the trot in a run chase.
Where was the game won?
At the death. The game was RR’s to lose as they headed into the final five overs, needing only 46 runs with a well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag at the crease. LSG’s stunning comeback with the ball saw them concede only 43 runs in that phase.
The death overs difference
Parameter LSG RR Score 59/2 43/3 Run Rate 11.8 8.6 4s/6s 2/5 4/1
LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
PowerPlay – The two big guns misfire
Phase score – 46/2 [RR: 7.66, 4s/6s: 7/0]
Lucknow Super Giants have relied heavily on Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran for their runs this season. But tonight, both these batters were sent packing early. Marsh skied one after mistiming Jofra Archer and Pooran was outfoxed by Sandeep Sharma beautifully to get trapped LBW in the final over of the PowerPlay. At the other end though, Aiden Markram looked in very good touch as he found the boundary at regular intervals to keep the scorecard ticking despite the two crucial wickets at the other end.
Middle overs – The recovery
Phase score – 75/1 [RR: 8.33, 4s/6s: 3/3]
LSG were then put under severe pressure as Rishabh Pant endured another failure. Pant looked completely out of sorts and he failed to make a clean connection to a reverse sweep, only to glove it to the ‘keeper to give Wanindu Hasaranga his first wicket. That forced LSG to use their impact sub and send Ayush Badoni to resurrect the innings. Like he has done on many occasions in the past, Badoni looked solid whereas Markram smashed back-to-back sixes against Hasaranga to inject some momentum into the innings. Badoni then started opening up and showcased his range with successive boundaries off Sandeep as LSG started to recover. Markram, who had gone past fifty, slammed his third six as momentum was now firmly with the batting team. RR then bowled three tight overs to ensure LSG didn’t break free but the platform was set for a big finish.
Death overs – Samad’s final flourish
Phase score – 59/2 [RR: 11.8, 4s/6s: 2/5]
Frustratingly for LSG, Royals continued with the momentum they had built in the last three overs heading into this phase. To make matters worse, both the half-centurions – Markram and Badoni – were dismissed as well as the hosts really applied the squeeze. At one point, it appeared like they wouldn’t allow LSG to go past 160. At the end of the 19th over, LSG had only 153 on the board with David Miller struggling to get going. However, the final over saw Abdul Samad explode in style with four towering sixes that just stunned the bowling side. From potentially staring at a below par total of 160, LSG ended up with 180 on the board as a result of that assault.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
PowerPlay – A dream start
Phase score – 61/0 [RR: 10.16, 4s/6s: 3/6]
It was a start that just had everyone on their feet. Making his debut at the age of 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi sent his first ball in IPL over covers for a massive six. If that wasn’t enough, he hammered the first ball he faced from Avesh Khan for a massive six as well to make a dream start. At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal was at his fluent best as he took on pace and spin with aplomb. Markram was welcomed to the crease with consecutive sixes and the PowerPlay was rounded off with another maximum from Jaiswal as the Royals set the ball rolling in the chase.
Middle overs – Royals remain steady
Phase score – 74/2 [RR: 8.22, 4s/6s: 5/3]
The two left-handers continued to make merry post the PowerPlay as well. Ravi Bishnoi was welcomed to the attack with a couple of boundaries and the 14-year-old smashed Digvesh Singh Rathi over the ropes. His impressive debut finally came to an end when Markram found some purchase from the wicket to have him stumped. From here, the Royals were just content being steady. Jaiswal slowed down a touch after going past fifty and Nitish Rana was dismissed early by Shardul Thakur. Riyan Parag took over the scoring duties as he kept chipping in with boundaries to bring the equation down to a gettable 46 off 30.
Death overs – The stunning turnaround
Phase score – 43/3 [RR: 8.6, 4s/6s: 4/1]
To ensure there were no hiccups, Parag cleared his front leg to launch Avesh over long on for a six and in the same over, Jaiswal found the boundary as well. But just when it appeared as if the Royals were cruising, a twist was in store. Avesh delivered a brilliant over that saw him remove both Jaiswal and Parag with two perfectly executed full-length deliveries that turned the game on its head. The equation came down to 17 off 9 which is when Shimron Hetmyer found the boundary twice much to the relief of the home side. From thereon, Royals should have still gone on to win the game. However, Avesh was back again in the final over to haunt them as he delivered one yorker after another, just like what Mitchell Starc did against the same opposition three days ago. His precision ensured Royals never got that boundary they were desperately looking for as they fell short by two runs.
Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants 180/5 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 66, Ayush Badoni 50; Wanindu Hasaranga 2/31) beat Rajasthan Royals 178/5 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 74, Riyan Parag 39; Avesh Khan 3/37) by 2 runs
What’s next for the teams?
With five wins now, LSG will be buoyed. They will be hosting the formidable Delhi Capitals next on Tuesday. Royals would now bank on RCB’s poor home record this season to break their losing run as they travel to Bengaluru next for the clash on Thursday.
© Cricbuzz
