Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) handed Rajasthan Royals (RR) a reality check as they sealed a 10-win in Jaipur. Chasing a modest 155, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Butler batted beautifully with a cautious approach and put their side in a strong position. But RR’s middle-order batters fumbled and lost regular wickets. Needing 19 runs in the final over, LSG pacer Avesh Khan bowled brilliantly as he struck twice and conceded only 8 runs to seal a crucial win for his team.

After being put into bat first, KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers gave LSG a solid start with an 82-run stand for the opening wicket. Jason Holder drew the first blood by dismissing LSG skipper Rahul for 39. Ayush Badoni, who was promoted up in the batting order, failed to make an impact as Trent Boult cleaned up him soon. Deepak Hooda yet again failed and walked back for just 2.

In the same over, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled out Mayers who batted brilliantly for his 51. Marcus Stoinis (21) alongside Nicholas Pooran (29) added 45 runs for the fifth wicket. RR bowlers made good use of the pitch conditions and restricted LSG to 154/7 in 20 overs. Ashwin scalped two wickets while others bagged one each.

In reply, Jaiswal and Butler gave RR an excellent start with an 87-run stand for the opening wicket. Stoinis gave the much-needed breakthrough, dismissing Yashasvi for 44. LSG then capitalized on a misunderstanding between Butler (40) and Sanju Samson, removing the RR skipper with a run-out. From thereon, RR endured a collapse, which swung the momentum into Lucknow’s favor. LSG bowlers held their nerves to restrict RR to 144/6 in 20 overs. Avesh nabbed a 3-fer while Stoinis registered a brace.