Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL, 2024, Full Score Card

Rajasthan win their first game by 20 runs! This is on a length, just outside off, Krunal Pandya cuts it to deep point for a single.

Bangs the deck hard on a nagging length, just outside off, Nicholas Pooran looks for the reverse hit over short third but only manages to get a toe end to the backward point for one.

Another good delivery! Bowls it just shorter in length and outside off, Krunal Pandya mistimes his cut to short third for one.

Goes fuller and into the stumps, Nicholas Pooran mistimes his heaves to deep square leg for just one.

Nails that yorker! Bowls it right in the blockhole, just outside off, Nicholas Pooran fails to dig it out.

Beaten! Bowls it on a good length, outside off, with no pace, Nicholas Pooran looks to loft it through covers but gets beaten.

TWO WIDES! Bowls it fuller and well wid of that tramline on off, Sanju Samson fails to collect the ball well and the batters scamper for a quick single. Nicholas Pooran is back on strike!

Avesh Khan to bowl the last over.

FOUR! Top shot! Another fuller delivery on off, Nicholas Pooran digs it out to perfection and opens the bat face steering it through backward point for a boundary.

Takes pace off and bowls it short over middle and off, Nicholas Pooran gets beaten trying to pull it square on leg.

Shorter and outside off, Nicholas Pooran pulls it straight to long on but denies the single.

FOUR! Smoked it! Fuller delivery on middle and off, Nicholas Pooran times the slog crouching a bit through deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

LEG BYES! Quick run! Ona shorter length over middle, Krunal Pandya looks for the pull but misses out as the ball wears his high on the things and drops down on the pitch. The batters scamper for a quick single.

DROPPED! A top effort from Riyan Parag in the deep but they do stick sometimes. Attacks the stumps, on a fuller length, Nicholas Pooran drills it in front of long on. Riyan Parag charges in but the ball dips on him and gets through his hands for a single.

WIDE! Bangs the deck on a shorter length, but way too short, Nicholas Pooran ducks and leaves it alone for a wide. Sanju Samson reviews it but the third umpire reconfirms it to be a wide.

Quicker and fuller, on off, Nicholas Pooran mistimes his pull to deep square leg for a single. Lucknow now need 38 in 12 balls.

Fuller and into the stumps, Krunal Pandya slogs sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Swing and a miss! Tossed up outside off, Krunal Pandya looks to whip it across the line but misses out.

Krunal Pandya walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ravichandran Ashwin joins the wicket tally and Marcus Stoinis has to walk back. Lucknow find themselves in a difficult situation with that wicket. A carrom ball bowled on a fuller length on middle, Marcus Stoinis stays put and looks for the big heave but lands it straight into the safe custody of Dhruv Jurel at deep mid-wicket.

A loud appeal for LBW by Sanju Samson but Nicholas Pooran got a bat to it. Tosses this one up on off and gets the ball to turn back in, Nicholas Pooran looks to sweep but gets a thin inside edge onto his pads and to the on side. The batters cross.

Fuller and into the stumps, Marcus Stoinis tucks it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Precise placement to get to his half-century! A shorter delivery on middle and off, Nicholas Pooran pulls this along the ground between the gap of deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

Top delivery! Bangs it into the pitch on a shorter length, with the pace off, Nicholas Pooran is deceived by the lack of pace as he tries to pull it and misses.

Goes wider on off, on a good length, Marcus Stoinis waits on and cuts it to deep point for just a single.

Digs this short and hits the deck hard over middle and leg, Nicholas Pooran pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Gets off the mark straightaway! Bowls this fuller and just outside off, Marcus Stoinis cuts it to deep point for a single.

Marcus Stoinis comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sandeep Sharma you beauty! Swings the game back in the favour of Rajasthan just after the break. Bowls this fuller and wider of that off-stump line, KL Rahul reaches out and slashes it up in the sky towards Dhruv Jurel at deep point who rushes in and takes a good catch to complete the wicket. The skipper goes back after a well-made half-century but this is now anyone's game.

Strategic-Break! The game is nicely poised at the moment with Lucknow needing 49 runs in 24 balls now. They have KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran set in the middle now and will be hoping that these two can take them home or at least take them closer to the target. Rajasthan have bowled decently but it is now mainly on how their death over specialist, Sandeep Sharma does here. They will want a couple of wickets here to stop the run flow and get the momentum back on their side.

Bowls this quicker and skids it through on middle and leg, KL Rahul gets cramped up but manages to tuck it square of the wicket on the leg side for a single to end the over. Lucknow now need 49 runs off the last 4 overs.

Goes fuller, on off, Nicholas Pooran knocks it to long off for a single.

Drops the length short and wider on off, Nicholas Pooran looks for the reverse hit but misses out.

Wider and fuller in length, Nicholas Pooran reaches out and lofts it well over cover for a couple of runs.

SIX! BOOM! Floated up outside off, Nicholas Pooran clears his front leg and lofts it over long off for a maximum.

Exceptional effort by Riyan Parag to save three runs for his side. Tossed up delivery on middle and leg, KL Rahul drills it straight down town. Riyan Parag from long on sprints to his left and with his left hand pushes the back ball in the play area for just one.

Sensational over! Just five runs off it. This is short of a length and outside off, KL Rahul cuts it away towards deep point for just one. Lucknow needs 60 runs in the last five overs now!

Swing and a miss! Sandeep Sharma hits the length hard now, outside off, angling away, KL Rahul has a wild slash at it but only connects with thin air.

Sandeep Sharma nails the yorker now, on middle, Nicholas Pooran digs it out towards long on for another run,

Risky run! This is back of a length and around off, KL Rahul stabs it wide of extra covers and sets off for the run, Avesh Khan picks up and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Rahul was a goner if that hit the stumps.

A slower bouncer now, on leg, Nicholas Pooran pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.

Sandeep Sharma starts with a hard-length delivery, outside off, KL Rahul slices it on the bounce to short third man where a fumble allows a single.

Sandeep Sharma is introduced into the attack.

Just wide! Ravichandran Ashwin slows it up and around middle, KL Rahul uses his feet and chips it down the pitch, Ashwin stretches out his right hand but the ball goes wide of it and towards long on for one.

Flatter, full and on middle, KL Rahul goes down and sweeps it wide of deep square leg and comes back for the second run. Good running!

A bit short and on middle, Nicholas Pooran moves back and clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Angles this one into the batter, on leg, Nicholas Pooran misses his flick and gets hit high on the pads.

FIFTY FOR RAHUL! A captain's knock from him but he knows that the job is not done yet. This is floated, full and on middle, KL Rahul eases it towards long on for a single.

Tossed up, full and around off, KL Rahul goes down across and sweeps it through backward square leg for a brace.

A great over this for Lucknow as they rack up 20 runs off it. Back of a length, outside off, Nicholas Pooran reaches out and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. The equation looks better now for Lucknow as they need 72 off 42 balls.

SIX MORE! Nikky P is in the house! Trent Boult once again misses his yorker and bowls a juicy full toss, on middle, Nicholas Pooran is not going to miss out on those and he smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another maximum.

FOUR! A boundary now! Trent Boult misses his yorker and serves a low full toss, on off, Nicholas Pooran gets low and drills it away through extra covers for four runs. Lucknow changing gears now!

SIX! Wow..what a shot! Trent Boult bangs this into the pitch and tries to keep it away from the batters, Nicholas Pooran takes a step forward to create some room, and uses his fast hands to smack it over the deep point fence for a biggie.

In the air...safe! This is full and outside off, KL Rahul tries to go hard at it but slices it in the air, the ball lands well short of the incoming sweeper covers fielder. They cross.

Back of a length and around off, slower as well, Nicholas Pooran swats it towards long on for just a single.

Fuller, on off, Nicholas Pooran pushes it to extra cover and steals a single.

A bit short and on middle, KL Rahul stays back and nudges it through square leg for one.

FOUR! Nicely played! This is tossed up, full and around off, KL Rahul gets down across and paddles it it past short fine leg for another boundary.

Floated, full and on off, Nicholas Pooran knocks it towards covers for another run.

Quicker, full and on middle, KL Rahul eases it towards long on for a run.

Flatter, full and on off, Nicholas Pooran pushes it wide of extra covers for a quick single.

Can Ravichandran Ashwin stem the flow of runs here and deliver a tight over?

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! 17 runs off the over! This is really clever from KL Rahul. Nandre Burger bangs this one into the pitch, on middle, KL Rahul sways away from the line of it and ramps it over short third man for four more runs. Lucknow still very much in this chase!

FOUR! KL Rahul is playing with the field now! Nandre Burger bowls another slower delivery, on o a length and on off, KL Rahul lets it come to him and lofts it, he does not get all of it but enough for it to go over the mid off fielder for a boundary now.

SIX! Up, up and away! Nandre Burger pulls his length back a bit, on off, angling in, KL Rahul picks up the length early, gets on top of the bouncer and whacks it way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Goes fuller this time, takes pace off again, Nicholas Pooran mistimes his drive off the inside of the bat towards long on for another run.

Short and outside off, slower too, KL Rahul slaps it onto the ground through mid-wicket for a run.

Back of a length and around off, Nicholas Pooran runs it down to third man for a single.

Nandre Burger (2-0-13-1) comes back into the attack now.

Shorter and wider on off, Nicholas Pooran cuts it to cover and steals a quick single.

SIX! Can't keep him quiet for long, can you? Tossed up delivery outside off, Nicholas Pooran frees his arms and clubs it over long off for a maximum. The fielder Riyan Parag at deep throws a full stretched dive outside the rope to get to the ball but couldn't push it back in time.

Flights this one up on middle, KL Rahul presses ahead and works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Straighter this time, on a fuller length, and into the stumps, KL Rahul pushes it to cover.

Bowls it fuller and wider on off, Nicholas Pooran extends his arms and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Drops the length short and on middle, KL Rahul rocks back and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Goes fuller and on off, KL Rahul with a straight bat lofts it to long on for a single.

Digs this short again on middle, Nicholas Pooran rides on the bounce and pulls it along the grass towards deep square leg for a single.

Nice change up! Bowls this fuller and into the stumps with pace off, Nicholas Pooran taps it back onto the deck and towards the bowler.

Attempts another bouncer and hits the deck hard over middle and leg, KL Rahul swivels across and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Bangs it short and on middle at 140kph, Nicholas Pooran pulls it well to deep square leg for a single.

Bowls it on a length, just outside off, KL Rahul drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Floats this one fuller and outside off, Nicholas Pooran reaches out and slashes it straight to backward point.

Goes fuller and on off, Nicholas Pooran with an angles bat pushes it back to the bowler.

WIDE! Bowls it fuller and well wider of that tramline on off.

Quicker and fuller into the stumps, Nicholas Pooran tucks it to the off side.

The hard-hitting Caribbean, Nicholas Pooran is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Deepak Hooda holes out and Lucknow slips further down with that blow. Chahal bowls it fuller and on middle and leg, Deepak Hooda takes a step out and looks to heave it through mid-wicket but gets it off the toe end of the bat and straight down the throat of Dhruv Jurel at deep mid-wicket. Hooda goes after a quick-fire cameo!

A mix-up but doesn't cost Lucknow! Fuller delivery on middle and leg, KL Rahul clips it in front of mid-wicket and gets a run. Deepak Hooda sets off for the second but is sent back in time by the skipper.

Bowls this fuller and into the stumps, KL Rahul lofts it uppishly to long on for a couple of runs. Riyan Parag at the deep does well to cut it off diving to his left.

Strategic break! Lucknow, initially shaken by the loss of three quick wickets, have begun to mount a spirited comeback thanks to a counterattack led by Deepak Hooda. Rajasthan's performance thus far has been impeccable, and they will be eager to capitalize on their momentum and break this partnership with a couple more wickets to regain control of the game. Also, Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl after the break.

Overpitched and on off once more, Deepak Hooda drills it straight to short covers.

Another short delivery from Avesh Khan, on off, KL Rahul swats it through mid-wicket for one.

This is on a hard length and outside off, Deepak Hooda cuts it hard wide of point, the fielder dives to his left to make a fine stop. They cross.

SIX! Deepak Hooda goes big once again! Avesh Khan bangs this short and on off again, sits up nicely for the batter, no pace too, Deepak Hooda picks it up early, waits for it and heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and on off, KL Rahul goes for the pull but gets hurried and miscues it towards long on for a run.

Fuller one and around off, Deepak Hooda pushes it towards covers for a single.

Flighted ball around the stumps, flicked away off the pads through mid-wicket for one.

Floated up on leg stump, pushed away through wide mid on for a run.

Flights it up now and bowls it shorter outside off, KL Rahul reaches out and taps it to covers.

A tad shorter on middle and leg, Deepak Hooda stays back and pushes it down to long on for a run.

Flatter and around the legs, tucked away past square leg for a single.

SIX! Fuller in length on middle and leg, KL Rahul gets down on one knee and slog-sweeps it over deep square leg for a biggie.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, dear! Not an ideal start from Ravichandran Ashwin. Full and turning down leg, KL Rahul misses the sweep and the ball beats the keeper as well to run down to the fine leg fence.

Ravichandran Ashwin is introduced into the attack.

Fullish length around off and sliding on, KL Rahul punches it through covers and picks up a single.

Back of a length outside off and angling back in, KL Rahul pushes it away towards cover.

FOUR! Nicely done! Slower one, floated up a bit outside off, KL Rahul waits a bit before lofting it over covers for a boundary.

Halt! It is KL Rahul this time who is hit on the front grill of the helmet. The physio is out for a quick concussion check and KL Rahul looks good to go.

On the helmet again and this time, KL Rahul is on the end of it. A quick bumper from Trent Boult from around the stumps and this one is angled in. KL Rahul looks to pull but misses it completely and gets hit bang on the helmet. Rahul is a bit ruffled but5 seems alright.

Good length on the stumps, pushed towards mid on for a quick single. Good running!

FOUR! Punched away sweetly! Slightly back of a length and angled in from outside off, Deepak Hooda stays upright and punches it square through covers for a boundary.

Bowled back of a length and angled across off, KL Rahul punches it off the back foot to covers.

Hard length around middle and leg, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single

FOUR! A bit streaky but will do! Banged in short and around off, this one pops up off the deck and Deepak Hooda manages to edge it over the slip cordon for a boundary.

SIX! That is a classy shot from Deepak Hooda! Banged in well short and around off, Hooda uses the pace and angle and just ramps it over third man for a maximum.

Back of a length at over 141 clicks and attacking the body, Deepak Hooda manages to fend it to the leg side.

Deepak Hooda is the impact player to walk out to bat next for Lucknow replacing Yash Thakur.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal and Nandre Burger gets his maiden Indian T20 League wicket!  Pitched up in and around off stump and this one holds aa bit in the deck. Ayush Badoni looks to drive on the up and ends up chipping it straight into the bread basket of Jos Buttler at mid off and he makes no mistake.

Comes from around the stumps and angles it in full at the pads, tucked away past square leg for one. Top over from Trent Boult, just a run and wicket off it.

Keeps it nice and full around off, Ayush Badoni gets on the front foot and pushes it towards cover.

Pitched up again around off stump, Ayush Badoni taps it into the cover region.

Pitched up on the fifth stump line and Ayush Badoni leaves it alone.

Ayush Badoni walks out to bat next for Lucknow.

OUT! TIMBER! This time Trent Boult doesn't knock Devdutt Padikkal down but knocks him over! This is bowled on a hard length on off stump and angling in, the ball keeps a bit low and Devdutt Padikkal is cut in half. The ball ends up knocking over the top of middle stump and Lucknow are two down early.

Halt! Devdutt Padikkal gets a nasty blow on the grill of his helmet and the physio is out for a mandatory concussion test. Devdutt Padikkal looks fine and gets a new helmet to resume his stay.

Oh, dear! That is a nasty blow and the side flap of the helmet has come off here. Trent Boult steams in and digs it in short and over off stump, Devdutt Padikkal gets rushed and the ball goes right into the grill of the helmet and the physio rushes out to have a look. Hoepfully, Padikkal is fine.

Bowls this one fuller and attacks the stumps, KL Rahul drives it beautifully but straight to mid on.

Hits the deck hard again, on a shorter length, over off, KL Rahul gets on top of his toes and dabs it to fine leg for a brace.

FOUR LEG BYES! Bowls this straight and on a length, on leg, KL Rahul looks to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and races away to long stop fence for a boundary.

Hits the deck hard on a shorter length, on off, KL Rahul mistimes his pull to mid on.

Bowls this fuller and on off, KL Rahul pushes it to cover.

Steams from over the wicket and bowls his first ball at 143.7 kph, on a hard length, just outside off, KL Rahul looks to cut it square on off but chops it back onto the deck.

The debutant Nandre Burger to share the new ball from the other end.

Bowls it nice and full, angling it into the left-hander on middle and off, Devdutt Padikkal gets his bat down and stabs it to backward point.

Devdutt Padikkal walks out to bat next for Lucknow.

OUT! CAUGHT! Trent Boult gets lucky but nonetheless, it's a perfect start for the home team as the dangerous Quinton de Kock walks back to the hut. Bowls it fuller and down leg, Quinton de Kock's eyes light up as he tries to flick it off his pads. He does so but straight down Nandre Burger's throat at deep backward square leg.

Angles it in a bit, on a good length, on off, Quinton de Kock dabs it to point.

Drops the length a bit outside off, Quinton de Kock cuts it powerfully but straight to point.

FOUR! Lucknow and Quinton de Kock are up and running! Boult attempts a yorker but lands a low full toss into the stumps, Quinton de Kock with full face of the bat drives it straight past the bowler for a boundary.

Steams from over the wicket and hurls this on a good length, just outside off, Quinton de Kock leans back a bit and looks to cut it square on off but cuts it straight to the fielder at point.

Full and just down leg, Sanju Samson flicks it away wide of fine leg and comes back for the second run with ease. 14 runs come off the final over and Rajasthan finish with 193/4 on the board!

SIX! Wow, certainly the shot of the game so far! Hard length outside off and angling across, Sanju Samson hangs deep in the crease and just powers it over wide long off for a maximum. That was made to look a bit too easy from Samson.

Full and wide, angled across the right-hander, Dhruv Jurel opens the bat face and eases it towards wide third man for one.

FOUR! Wrong line from Mohsin Khan and he pays the price. Takes pace off and bowls it a tad short but down leg, Dhruv Jurel swivels to pull and gets a glove on it as the ball rolls into the fine leg fence.

Dug in well short and over off and middle, it is slower too and Sanju Samson miscues the pull through mid on for just a single.

Mohsin Khan comes in to bowl the final over and starts from over the wicket and angles a good-length ball across the right-hander. Sanju Samson looks to stay put and heaves across the line but misses it completely.

DROPPED! Another one put down by Lucknow! Bowled back of a length and outside off, Dhruv Jurel looks to hold his shape and lift it over long off but doesn't get any timing at all. The ball goes over mid off as Devdutt Padikkal comes charging in from long off and slides in but spills it onto the turf. The batters get two runs.

Slows it up a bit and angles it in from wider of the crease outside off. Dhruv Jurel tries to get across and inside the line to slog itbehind square leg but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Gets it into the blockhole and gets it wide enough of the off stump. Sanju Samson stays back and just squeezes it away down to third man for a single.

Full and wide, gets it full enough and Dhruv Jurel toe-ends the drive to Quinton de Kock at covers for a single.

Banged into the deck and bowled outside off, Dhruv Jurel hops and forces the lofted shot over the cover region for a couple of runs more.

WIDE! Full and wide, well beyond the tramline outside off and this time Dhruv Jurel stays put to rack in the extra.

WIDE! Slower and shorter, pushed well outside the off stump, Dhruv Jurel tries to reach it but fails to do so and a wide is called. KL Rahul has challenged it though. The third umpire checks the replays and the onfield decision stands.

Full and wide outside off, flirting with the tramline and Dhruv Jurel fails to reach it. Jurel wants a review for a wide but Sanju Samson knows that Jurel moved early and declines the review.

SIX! Sanju Samson takes full toll of the freebie and converts a miserly over into a big one. Looks to go full and straight but just misses the length by a couple of inches, Samson is waiting for it and goes deep in his crease before lofting it straight back down the ground for a maximum.

NO BALL! Full and trying to attack the toes of the batter, Sanju Samson misses the flick and a wide is called which KL Rahul wants to challenge but instead the third umpire finds that Thakur overstepped and it will be a No Ball. Free Hit to follow!

Excellent bowling from Yash Thakur here! Nails another yorker from around the stumps and on off stump, Sanju Samson gets across and digs it in front of square leg before racing back for the second run.

Dhruv Jurel pre-meditates and shuffles well across the off stump but Yash Thakur cleverly slows it up and bowls it at the batter. Jurel adjusts and dabs it wide of short fine for a single.

Full again but hitting the deck hard and tries to angle this one across off stump, Sanju Samson shuffles a bit and mistimes the heave through mid-wicket for just another single.

Dug in short and at the body, Dhruv Jurel manages to get inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for one more.

Comes from around the stumps and nails the yorker around off stump, Sanju Samson covers the line well and plays it down to long off for a single.

SIX! Oh, what an effort from Naveen-ul-Haq but unfortunately, it does go for a maximum. Bowled full and outside off, Dhruv Jurel sits down and drags the flat-batted shot straight down the ground. Naveen sprints across to his left from long on and leaps across at full stretch trying to push the ball back in but it bursts through his hands and lands over the ropes.

Flatter one on the pads, Dhruv Jurel works it nicely off the pads and in between square leg and mid-wicket for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

Nagging length outside off, turning back in as well, Dhruv Jurel moves around a bit in the crease and cyuuts it late to short third man.

Dhruv Jurel walks out to bat next for Rajasthan.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A bit of confusion but Shimron Hetmyer was given out on field and he is the one who has to review it and he does exactly that. Ravi Bishnoi bowls this one quick and flat again and pushes it just across the off stump, Hetmyer leans on to block and the ball zips past the outside edge and KL Rahul manages to pouch is somehow. Bishnoi doesn't even bother appealing as he knows it is out but we do go upstairs. UlgtraEdge shows a clear spike when the ball is next to the bat and Hetmyer has to walk back cheaply here.

Pushed through quick again, full this time and it is the googly that goes away from the left-hander, Shimron Hetmyer presses forward to defend.

Quick and flat angled into the legs, Sanju Samson gets pushed back and works it away past square leg for a run.

Yes, he can! Just 6 runs off that over from the part-timer and KL Rahul will be very pleased. This is bowled a bit quicker at the pads, Sanju Samson tucks it away in front of mid-wicket and picks up a single.

A bit full and at the stumps, pushed down to long on for a single. Tidy over so far from Ayush Badoni but can he finish well?

Good hustle in the deep from the fielder! Full and wide, sliding on nicely, Shimron Hetmyer frees his arms and drives it away well in front of deep cover for a couple of runs.

A bit more round-arm and bowled fuller into the pads, Shimron Hetmyer fails to flick it away and wears it on the pads.

On a length and around leg stump, no room on offer and Sanju Samson nudges it away through mid-wicket for a run.

Starts with a drag-down from around the stumps and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer fails to take advantage and pulls it along the turf to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Can Ayush Badoni provide another wicket for Lucknow?

Hurls this on a tight length and into middle and leg, Shimron Hetmyer gets hurried a bit but manages to get a bat as he tucks it to square leg region for a single to get off the mark.

Strategic break! Right then, Naveen-ul-Haq has just broken a 93-run stand and the teams will now rediscuss their strategies. Sanju Samson is well-set and Rajasthan still have Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel to come and they will be eyeing up at least 185-190 from here. Can Lucknow continue to pick up wickets and keep the scoring rate in check? Let's find out. With that said, Hetmyer walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Riyan Parag holes out trying to go big! Naveen-ul-Haq gets his second and it's a timely wicket for Lucknow. Naveen-ul-Haq hits the deck hard, on a shorter length, outside off, Riyan Parag pulls it off the lower half of the bat. The ball goes up in the air and straight to Deepak Hooda at deep square leg. He gets to the ball and takes a simple catch with his fingers pointing up.

SIX! Wow, that's some shot! On a back of a length, outside off, Riyan Parag gets on top of his toes and slaps it over long off for a maximum.

Gets this one right where he intended the previous one to be at. Fuller and wider on off, Sanju Samson reaches out and with no timing and taps it to long off for just a single.

WIDE! Bowls this fuller and outside off, Sanju Samson leaves it alone for the keeper to collect. Naveen-ul-Haq will have to re-bowl that one.

Goes fuller and outside off, Riyan Parag drives it uppishly to deep cover-point for just a single.

FOUR! Crisp shot! Served on a length, just outside off, with no pace, Riyan Parag gets on top of that and slashes it through backward point for a boundary.

WIDE! Bowls it fuller and well outside the tramline on off, Riyan Parag leaves it alone for a wide.

Naveen-ul-Haq is now brought back into the attack.

FOUR! A welcome boundary that! Fuller in length and just outside off stump line, Sanju Samson gets across the line and scoops it over the keeper's head towards fine leg fence for a boundary.

Top effort from Riyan Parag trying to get back into the crease at the bowler's end. A fuller delivery on middle and off, Sanju Samson drills it straight back to the bowler. Yash Thakur looks to poach it but the ball gets through to hit the stumps on the nonstriker's end. The replays show that Riyan Parag dragged his bat back in time as the bails were broken.

On a length, outside off, with pace off, Riyan Parag cuts it to deep point for one.

Good bouncer! Bangs the deck hard over middle and off, Riyan Parag looks to hop and uppercut it but misses out.

WIDE! Bangs this on a fuller length but wayward on off for a wide.

Goes fuller and attacks the stumps, Sanju Samson flicks it to Nicholas Pooran at long on for a single. Riyan Parag wanted the second but is right sent back by Sanju Samson.

Good running! Yash bowls it on a good length, over off, Sanju Samson taps it to long on and gets a couple of runs.

Yash Thakur is back into the attack. He went for 21 runs in his first over.

Another single to end the over. Pitched up on middle and off, Sanju Samson nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket and gets one.

Bowls this fuller and on off, Riyan Parag pats it to long off for a single.

Fifty for the skipper! On a fuller length, on middle, Sanju Samson punches it to long on for a single. This is the fifth consecutive season that Sanju Samson has smashed at least a half-century in the opening game.

Oh dear, Mohsin Khan drops an absolute sitter! Bishnoi bowls the googly, on a fuller length on middle, Riyan Parag looks for the slog sweep but gets a top edge that balloons towards Mohsin Khan at short fine leg. He misjudged the ball as it drops in front of him.

Bowls this fuller and on off, Sanju Samson nudges it to long off for one.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Sanju Samson. Slower delivery on a shorter length, on off, turning in to the right-hander, Sanju Samson rocks back and picks the length right to just loft it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

A tidy over this from Krunal Pandya. Bowls this last ball on a fuller length, on off, Sanju Samson taps it in front of long off and gets a single.

Bowls this quicker and on leg, Riyan Parag tucks it in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drags the length down, on middle and off, Sanju Samson gets back and punches it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Riyan Parag eases it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller delivery, on off, Riyan Parag presses ahead and drives it to sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Bowls this quicker and on a nagging length, into the pads, Riyan Parag tucks it to the on side and KL Rahul is quick to get to the ball.

Bowls this one fuller and turns it back in from middle and leg, Riyan Parag tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Quicker and fuller, outside off, Sanju Samson cuts it to deep point for a single.

SIX! That's even better but from Sanju Samson. Tossed up delivery on middle and off, Sanju Samson clubs it over long on for half a dozen. Rajasthan taking the attack on now.

Quicker and fuller on the pads, Riyan Parag tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That's gone miles! Bowls a wrong'un on a fuller length on middle and off, Riyan Parag clears his leg and smokes it through the line over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Tossed this one up, just outside off, Riyan Parag mistimes his push, back to the bowler.

A dot to end here! Pushed through quick and on middle, on a nagging length, Sanju Samson plays all over it and is lucky to get an inside edge before the ball crashes into the pads.

On a length and at the stumps, played away through the mid off region for one more.

One more as this straighter delivery is turned through wide mid on by Sanju Samson.

A bit fuller and around off, played away through wide mid off for an easy single.

Slower and on a length around leg stump, Sanju Samson works it neatly behind square leg and picks up a single.

Leg bye! Pushed through quicker and around off, Riyan Parag misses it and the ball rolls off the pads to short third as the batters pick up a quick leg bye.

SIX! Wow, that is nonchalantly done! It's just easy pace from Yash Thakur and the shorter length is around waist height which isn't going to trouble these top batters. Sanju Samson stays put, picks it up and whacks it well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 21 off that over!

SIX! Just over! Goes for the bumper again but doesn't quite get it high enough. Sanju Samson picks it well and muscles the pull over the leaping fielder at deep backward square leg for a maximum. Rajasthan on the charge after the break.

Slightly slower and back of a length outside off, Sanju Samson punches it from the crease and straight to short extra cover.

Good reply from Yash Thakur as he bowls it quick and goes for the bumper. Riyan Parag does well rushed while looking to pull and miscues it down to long on for a run.

SIX! Swatted away! Dragged down over middle, not much pace behind it either and Riyan Parag is able to stand tall and just flat-bat it over cow corner for a biggie.

Starts with a slower one, bowling it on a good length around middle, Riyan Parag waits well and works it around the corner before hustling back for the second run.

Strategic break! The game hangs in the balance as Lucknow successfully dismissed both of Rajasthan's openers. However, the skipper Sanju Samson has looked good so far and much hinges on his ability to capitalize on the solid start he has provided for himself. The spinners of Lucknow will be eyeing to break this building partnership and chip a couple more to get ahead in the game. With that Yash Thakur is introduced into the attack for Lucknow.

Pushed through quicker and just down leg, Sanju Samson stays back and flicks it straight to short fine leg for a dot.

Another one that is fired in, this is a bit fuller and aimed at the pads, Riyan Parag flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Bowled quicker at 102 clicks and into the surface a bit, Sanju Samson miscues the lofted shot and gets it down towards wide long on for yet another single.

Fuller in length and aimed at the legs, Riyan Parag leans ahead and pushes it away well in front of mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it up a bit and rifts it into middle and leg, this one grips as well and Sanju Samson tucks it away past square leg for a single.

Full and angling into the batter, following Sanju Samson down leg and Samson can only manage to push it back to the bowler.

Nagging length in and around the off stump, Sanju Samson gets a bit stuck on the crease and pushes it out through mid off for one.

The big googly now and this is bowled shorter and turns down the leg side. Called a wide but Ravi Bishnoi thinks there was a pad involved and KL Rahul has reviewed the wide called. No spike when the ball passes the bat but UltraEdge does show that the ball did flick the pad and the wide called is overtruned.

Short and wide, cut away off the back foot to deep point to make it eight singles in a row.

Full and straight, Samson leans on and pushes it through mid on for one and looks for two but his partner sends him back.

Stump-to-stump bowling and Riyan Parag works it away into the open space in front of mid-wicket and collects a single.

Quicker one sliding into the pads, Sanju Samson flicks it away to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Ravi Bishnoi is introduced into the attack.

A single to end the over and after the Powerplay, Rajasthan are 54/2! A bit shorter on the pads, worked away off the back foot past square leg for one.

Pushes it fuller on the stumps, Parag eases it down the ground and turns the strike over.

Flatter one on off, a bit short too and Sanju Samson punches it down to long off for one more.

Slow and short, worked away in front of mid-wicket for a single and Riyan Parag is off the mark.

Oh, that would have and should have been a golden duck for Riyan Parag but he gets really lucky. Drops it short on middle and leg and gets it to grip and hold in the deck. Parag is squared up and ends up chipping it to the right of the bowler who tries to get across but crashes into the non striker who wasn't deliberately impeding him.

Slides a quicker one into the pads, Sanju Samson goes back in his crease and flicks it in front of square leg for one. The 50 comes up for Rajasthan as well.

Riyan Parag is the next batter in. Also, Krunal Pandya comes in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay on his 33rd Birthday.

OUT! CAUGHT! Just when Yashasvi Jaiswal looked to take the attack on the Lucknow side, Mohsin Khan delivers a good ball trapping Jaiswal. Bangs it into the deck over middle and off, with pace off, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets too early on the pull shot and chops it straight down the throat of Krunal Pandya at mid on.

SIX! Yashasvi Jaiswal joins the party! Innovation and execution on point! Mohsin Khan bowls this fuller and outside off stump line, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets across the line and gets on one knee to scoop this one over fine leg for a maximum.

Pitches this fuller and into the pads, Sanju Samson just clips it to square leg for a single.

SIX! BOOM! That's the first one for Rajastan and Sanju Samson has timed it to perfection. A back-of-a-length delivery, on middle and leg, Sanju Samson nails the pull over fine leg for a maximum.

Takes pace off and bowls it on a fuller length, on that fourth stump line, Sanju Samson gets early on his shot and misses on the connection as the ball beats the outside edge.

FOUR! Top, top shot! Mohsin Khan bowls it on a good length, just outside off, Sanju Samson waits for it to reach him, gets on top of his toes and creams it through point for a boundary.

Mohsin Khan to continue...

FOUR! Classical shot! Premeditates the delivery and makes room for a fuller delivery attacking the stumps before crisply driving it through covers for a boundary.

Bowls this on a length and on the hips of Sanju Samson who delicately tucks it square of the wicket on the leg side for a single.

Takes pace off and bowls it fuller, outside off, Sanju Samson with soft hands just nudges it to cover.

Angles it in, on a hard length and into the stumps, Sanju Samson clips it to short mid-wicket.

Halt! Would you believe it? Now, one of the bails has gone off at one end and isn't lighting up when put back into place. Some more time taken out of the actual action as a replacement bail is brought out.

Bowls this fuller and on middle and off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pushes it to mid off and squeezes a single.

Hurls it on a good length, on the pads, Yashasvi Jaiswal tucks it to deep mid-wicket region and gets two more runs.

On a back of a length, angling further away from middle and off, Sanju Samson looks to cut it square on off but misses out on connection.

Hits the deck hard, on a length over middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Precision on this one! Khan drops the length a bit, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal waits on and cuts it beautifully past backward point for another boundary.

FOUR! Hammered that one! A fuller delivery on off, in the hitting arc, Yashasvi Jaiswal plants his front leg ahead and wacks it straight over the bowlers head with an angled bat for a boundary.

Off the mark straight away! On a length, angling away from middle and off, Sanju Samson waits for it and opens the bat face to guide the ball to third man for a single.

On a good length, over middle and off, Yashasvi Jaiswal tucks it in front of mid on and steals a quick single.

Skipper, Sanju Samson walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Naveen-ul-Haq draws first blood and Jos Buttler has to walk back for just 11 runs. A fuller delivery, outside off, Jos Buttler throws everything at it but only gets a thick outside edge to the right of the keeper. KL Rahul dives to his right and poaches this one after getting wrong-footed, great adjustment from Rahul.

FOUR! Not off the centre of the bat but still manages to get enough to send it across to the fence. A pace-off delivery into the stumps, on a fuller length, Jos Buttler whips it off the toe end of the bat over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Pitches this on a length, just outside off, Jos Buttler cuts it straight to the fielder at point.

Good delivery that! Right on the money! Bowls it on a good length and attacks the stumps, Jos Buttler stabs it back onto the deck.

FOUR! Powerful shot to bring the first boundary for Rajasthan! Another fuller delivery, on off, Jos Buttler opens the bat face late and lofts it over backward point for a boundary.

Starts from over the wicket and bowls it fuller, just around off, Jos Buttler drives it to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Naveen-ul-Haq to bowl from the other end.

A top delivery to end the first over! Just 3 runs come of it. Lands this on a perfect length on that fourth stump line, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to push at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bowls this fuller and wider on off, Jos Buttler drives it to deep cover for a single and gets off the mark too.

Better line! Bangs this on a good length, on middle and leg, Jos Buttler tucks it to the on side.

WIDE! Hurls this back of a length, but well wider of that tramline on off, Jos Buttler extends his arms and looks to reach for it but misses.

On a touch shorter length, over off, Jos Buttler hops back and blocks it back onto the deck.

A slight halt in proceedings as a wire connecting the spider cam has landed on the outfield and the officials are getting it sorted. A bit of a prolonged delay this, one that will prove a bit frustrating for everyone. The cable issue is finally sorted and the play can finally resume.

Rajasthan are underway! Fuller delivery, attacking the stumps, Yashasvi Jaiswal taps it past the bowler showing full face of the bat towards mid on for a single to get off the mark.

Starts from over the wicket and bangs the deck hard on a good length, on off and angles it into the left-hander, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets cramped as he tries to whip it across the line. The ball hits him high on his abdomen.

We are all set for the game to begin! The two umpires are out in the middle in rather some stylish gear. The Lucknow players can be seen in a huddle before taking their places on the field. It will be the destructive duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler to open the innings for Rajasthan. Mohsin Khan has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Jos Buttler is down for a quick chat. Jos says that he has been with Rajasthan for a while and tries to help out when he can and he is more than happy to do so. Adds that Avesh Khan has settled into the team well and it is a big day for him to play against his former team. On Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos says that he has had a rapid rise and he is coming off a fantastic Test series and is happy for him. Mentions that Rovman Powell has been in great form for West Indies and it will be great if him and Hetmeyer can form a partnership in the middle order.

KL Rahul the skipper of Lucknow says they would have batted first as well. Adds that the wicket looks good and hopefully won't change much. Mentions that he is happy to be back in the field and looks to try and do well for the side. Adds that they have the same combination as the previous year and Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis and Naveen-ul-Haq are the four overseas players in the playing XI. Concludes that everybody will get their chances going ahead and there are some really exciting players in the team who will be eager to do well.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan says that he was just looking at the coin as it seemed like a new one and informs that they will BAT first. Adds that they were prepared to do both but have gone for a different combination. Adds that they have done really well as a team in the last 10 months and a few of the young players have gone on to become superstars. Also adds that Riyan Parag will fill the number 4 role and they have 3 overseas players to start with and Rovman Powell might come in as the Impact Player but it is quite open.

Impact players nominated by Lucknow - Deepak Hooda, Mayank Yadav, Amit Mishra, Prerak Mankad, Krishnappa Gowtham.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur.

Impact players nominated by Rajasthan -  Rovman Powell, Nandre Burger, Tanush Kotian, Shubham Dubey, Kuldeep Sen.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C)(WK), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.

TOSS - Rajasthan win the coin flip and opt to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Samuel Badree is pitchside. He starts by saying that this venue has historically been a fortress for Rajasthan but last season wasn't the same. Adds that it is 70 meters square on one side and 62 meters on the other side and it is 79 meters straight. Matthew Hayden joins him and says that the pitch is quite brown and there isn't much grass either. Reckons that spin will play its role and the batters can get off to a good start as there won't be much swing or seam.

Devdutt Padikkal is seen receiving his Lucknow cap from KL Rahul and is set to make his debut for Lucknow.

Lucknow, led by their skipper KL Rahul, who returns to the side after an unfortunate mid-season injury in the previous season, injects a renewed sense of vigour into the team. KL Rahul's exceptional form adds an extra layer of excitement to their campaign. Retaining the core overseas talents such as Marcus Stoinis, Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers and Naveen-ul-Haq, while shrewdly augmenting the squad with players like Ashton Turner and the West Indies' pace sensation Shamar Joseph, Lucknow demonstrates a balanced approach to team building. Emphasizing the potential of young Indian talents, the team revolves around this core, eager to leave a lasting impact. After two commendable seasons, Lucknow will be determined to maintain their momentum and kickstart the new season, aiming for nothing short of victory in this crucial encounter. In this exciting battle, which team do you think will emerge victorious? We shall soon find out! Stick around as the Toss and team updates come to you in a bit.

Rajasthan, under the leadership of the dynamic Sanju Samson, have strategically retained the nucleus of their previous squad during the auction, bolstering it further with impactful additions. The arrival of Rovman Powell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore injects additional firepower into an already formidable batting lineup teeming with talent from both Indian and overseas players. Furthermore, the acquisition of South African pace sensation Nandre Burger adds a lethal edge to their bowling arsenal, complementing the experienced spearhead, Trent Boult. As they embark on the new season, Rajasthan will aim to replicate their strong start from the previous campaign while aspiring to meet the lofty expectations bestowed upon them as one of the most potent contenders in the tournament.

Welcome folks, to the electrifying atmosphere of match number 4 in the Indian T20 League, from the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The cricketing arena brims with anticipation as two powerhouse teams clash in their inaugural match of the season. Brace yourselves as the home team, Rajasthan locks horns with the formidable Lucknow squad in what promises to be another exciting contest of this doubleheader on Sunday. 

... MATCH DAY ...

It is now time for match number 4 of the 2024 Indian T20 League as Rajasthan host Lucknow at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. With the competition in the Indian T20 League becoming increasingly fierce with each passing season, both teams will be eager to hit the ground running and secure a victory in their opening match. Rajasthan narrowly missed out on a playoff berth last season, finishing fifth. Retaining overseas assets Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, and Donovan Ferreira, Rajasthan reinforced their batting prowess with the addition of Rovman Powell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. On the bowling front, Trent Boult will continue to spearhead the pace attack, and they have roped in Nandre Burger to support the Kiwi left-arm pacer. The inaugural winners of the Indian T20 League will be without the services of Aussie leggie Adam Zampa, who has opted out due to personal reasons. It should not be that big an issue, as the spin department looks pretty much settled with the presence of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and the arrival of Tanush Kotian, named as Zampa's replacement. Sanju Samson will be in charge for another year and will lead a young Indian batting group comprising Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, with Jaiswal and Jurel coming off stellar performances for India, albeit in a different format. Coming to the domestic pace talent, the injured Prasidh Krishna will be a big miss, but it has opened the doors for Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, and Sandeep Sharma. On the flip side, despite facing the setback of losing their captain midway through the tournament, Lucknow managed to secure a spot in the playoffs. However, their journey ended prematurely yet again in the Eliminator for the second consecutive season. Lucknow will be buoyed by the return of their skipper, KL Rahul, who sustained a hip flexor injury during the match against Bengaluru last year, forcing him out of the remainder of the tournament. With Justin Langer assuming the role of Head Coach, Lucknow have demonstrated confidence in their domestic talent. They have retained Ravi Bishnoi and Amit Mishra from the spin department while adding more pace to their arsenal with the inclusion of Shivam Mavi to go with the retained duo of Yash Thakur and Mohsin Khan. It was not a surprise that they opted to retain their stand-in skipper from the previous edition, Krunal Pandya, and his all-rounder compatriot, Krishnappa Gowtham. They have infused youth in the form of Devdutt Padikkal into batting resources, which also consist of Ayush Badoni and Deepak Hooda. Lucknow have kept faith in the overseas stalwarts Marcus Stoinis, Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, and Naveen-ul-Haq, who will be primed to deliver once more. Strengthening their roster, the Lucknow think tank strategically acquired Ashton Turner, David Willey, and West Indies pace sensation Shamar Joseph at the auction, fortifying both the batting and bowling departments. Although Willey is set to miss the initial stages of the competition, the KL Rahul-led unit has enough resources to fill the void. Who will seize victory in their opening fixture? The answer awaits as the action unfolds.