Royals complete the double

Sanju finishes it off in style, with a six! No West Indian party tonight for the Royals, and that's alright because it’s the Indian duo of Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel sealing their 8th win of the tournament with an over to spare.

The highest 4th-wicket partnership for RR in the IPL - that is some dominance by the table toppers. They opened their campaign with a win at home against LSG, they've travelled to Lucknow for the first time and have done the double over them. If Jaiswal-Buttler don't get you, the middle order will. At one point, they went from being 60/0 to 78/3 - a small hiccup in what looked like an otherwise smooth-sailing affair. 

And it's all thanks to the two half-centurions who dug it out in the middle. The Royals now have 16 points in their kitty. They continue their 100% away record this season and are rightfully the team to watch out for!

Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel add together an unbeaten 121 off just 62 balls to take the Royals home with a seven-wicket win over LSG. Jurel ensured that the Royals need not see beyond him to finish the match off. A calm and composed innings of 52 which came in quick time to turn the tide in favour of the Royals.

Samson with his fourth fifty anchored the chase initially with his experience and calmness before going hammer and tongs to finish unbeaten on 71 off just 33 balls. Hit seven boundaries and four sixes in his Player of the Match-winning knock.

In the bowling front, Sandeep Sharma ended with 2/31 as the Royals restricted LSG to 196/5 when they were looking at a 200-plus score.

50 for Samson and Jurel

17.3 overs Gets there with a six and in just 28 balls. Samson scores his fourth fifty of IPL 2024 to continue his excellent form this season. Has hit six fours and two sixes in what is turning out to be a captain's knock. RR 178/3.

17.5 overs: Maiden IPL fifty for Jurel as he brings up his half-century in 31 balls. That salute comes out again, as a mark of gratitude to his father who has served in the Indian Army. A very important knock for the Royals. RR 180/3 and need 17 off 13 balls.

Last five overs: Royals need 53 runs

Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel are involved in a crucial partnership as the Royals get closer. Their 50-plus partnership has come at a run rate above the required rate as they need a further 53 runs in 30 balls. Samson is the Royals' leading run-scorer this IPL with 343 runs in his ninth match. Advantage Royals as they have big hitters waiting to join the action. RR 144/3.

Jurel joins the party

14 overs: No better time for Dhruv Jurel to make his mark this IPL. Had a quiet tournament so far but he is holding his own in this run chase racing off the blocks and providing able support to his skipper. Moves to 36 off just 21 scoring four boundaries and two sixes. The fourth wicket partnership has gone to 57 in quick time. RR are 135/3 and need 62 from 36 balls.

Royals on course

Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel add 29 runs off just 12 balls to keep the Royals on course in the chase. Requiring 11.60 runs an over in the last 10 overs, the Royals managed to score above par to keep the pressure on the fielding unit. Jurel hits a six and four to add to Sanju's three fours. Need 87 runs off the last 8 overs.

Halfway Stage: RR 81/3

Captain Samson is still at the crease with six off seven balls as he carries the team's hopes of pulling off this chase. Dhruv Jurel gives him company after Parag is dismissed for 14 off 11 balls. The Royals require 116 off 60 balls with the West Indies finishing duo of Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell yet to come. 

Riyan Parag in as the impact substitute

6.1 overs: Riyan Parag walks in at four as the impact substitute and replaces Yuzvendra Chahal. Jaiswal, after a promising start is dismissed for 24 off 18 balls. RR 60/2.

End of powerplay: RR 60/1

The Royals are off to a good start as Buttler and Jaiswal add 60 runs off 35 balls. Buttler, unfortunately, gets dismissed for 34 on the penultimate ball of the sixth over as captain Sanju Samson joins Jaiswal in the middle. Royals 60/1 after six overs. Need 137 off 14 overs with nine wickets in hand. 

50-run partnership

Jaiswal and Buttler bring up their second consecutive fifty-run opening partnership for the Royals. They race to 50 off just five overs as Buttler moves to 29 and Jaiswal is on 19. RR 50/0 after five overs.

Buttler reaches 3000 runs for RR in IPL

4.1 overs: Jos Buttler goes past 3000 runs for RR in style with a four down the ground off Henry. He has scored seven centuries and 18 fifties averaging more than 43, the best for any Royals batter who has scored more than 200 runs. RR 41/0.

Jaiswal starts with a bang

What a shot! Yashasvi Jaiswal showing his class against Matt Henry. The first went over long on for a six and the second above mid off for a four. The perfect start that the Royals wanted in pursuit of a tall chase. RR 13/0 after the first over.

Royals require 197

The Royals' batters have the firepower required to chase down 197 which can be the highest successful chase at this venue.

Five fielders inside for the last over

Sandeep has to bowl the last over with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle as the Royals are penalised for a slow over rate. Still manages to keep it to 12 runs. Finishes off his spell picking two wickets for just 31 runs. Yet another impressive display by the bowling unit at the death as LSG manage only 25 in the final three. Boult, Ashwin and Avesh get a wicket each. LSG 196/5.

Boult backs up Avesh

0 0 1 Wd 1 1 2

Trent Boult bows out with a very good 19th over for the Royals giving away just 6 runs.

The LSG batters manage only 13 off the 18th and 19th over. For the second match on the trot, the Royals are acing things at the death. LSG are 184/5 after 19 overs.

Avesh end Rahul's stay

17.2 overs: It's Avesh Khan! Gets the big fish - LSG have lost their captain, he's fuming, is KL Rahul. Knows he's missed out on a big finish but credit to Avesh for stifling him. He's been exceptional at the death for the Royals and enjoys his captain's trust completely, whether the team is bowling first or defending. Ends Rahul's knock of 76, as Boult is in action again at deep point. A good comeback for the Royals as the dangerous Rahul is back. Avesh bowls a miserly 18th over conceding just 7 runs along with that crucial breakthrough. LSG 173/5.

200 T20 wickets for Sandeep!

15.1 overs: Sandeep Sharma is on duty yet again as he foxes Pooran with a slow bouncer. Boult makes no mistake at square leg. Death bowler Sandeep is back! And he's reached a big milestone of 200 T20 wickets with that one He has been excellent after his return from injury. Has already picked up two here to go with his five-fer in the last match. Has been accurate with his cutters and change of pace this season. Turning into a death-bowling menace for the opponents. LSG 150/4.

Five overs remaining: LSG 150/3

Ashwin's strike brings the game back in the balance as the LSG were going strong with that partnership between Rahul and Hooda. Rahul continues at the crease in the company of Nicholas Pooran. Ashwin has an over left with a beneficial match-up against left-handed Pooran. Sandeep Sharma with his death bowling prowess will be a tough nut for LSG as he has two left in his spell. Avesh Khan and Boult have one each left. LSG 150/3 after 15 overs.

Ashwin does the trick

12.1 overs: Ashwin comes up with a carrom ball to outwit the well-set Deepak Hooda. Mistimes it to wide long-on as Powell picks up a good catch. The offie breaks the third wicket partnership of 115. A much-needed breakthrough for the Royals as both batters were well set and looking for a big total. Sanju Samson at the toss was asked whether there's been a conversation with Ashwin, and the captain had responded saying "I don't need to talk to him, he's been a top professional and has a big role in our plans". And the veteran has delivered, bringing all his experience to the fore. LSG 126/3.

Ball without the bail- Dead ball

10.1 overs: Trent Boult has to re-bowl this one as the first attempt happened without a bail above the stumps at the striker's end. 

Halfway stage: Super Giants at 94/2

Ashwin bowls a quiet ninth over conceding just six runs as KL Rahul and Hooda consolidate the LSG innings. LSG are 94/2 at the halfway mark. Ashwin has conceded just 16 runs in his two overs so far. KL Rahul completes his fifty and remains unbeaten on 52 and Hooda moves to 32. The third wicket partnership for LSG swells to 83.

End of Powerplay: LSG 46/2

Sensational start from the Royals, and they've made the most of this Powerplay by picking two massive wickets straight up. This new opening pair of Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma has worked wonders for the team, one brings the fire and thunder with his pace, and the other is a cool customer of pinpoint accuracy. Together, they've kept the home team on the backfoot from the get-go. Boult picks up 1/17 from two overs as Sandeep has 2/13. But, LSG skipper KL Rahul is still out there alongside Deepak Hooda... LSG 46/2 after 6 overs.

"Not tonight, Stoinis," says Sandeep

1.6 overs: Sandeep Sharma disturbs Marcus Stoinis' timber with an inswinging beauty. The dangerous Stoinis who made the highest individual score in a successful chase in the IPL against CSK with an unbeaten century in the last match, is back in the hut without scoring. Once again the terrific partnership of Boult and Sandeep strike in the first two overs. LSG 11/2 after two overs.

Trending with Trent Boult

0.3 overs: 27 wickets and counting for Boult. Yet another first-over wicket for the left-arm pacer as he cleans up Quinton de Kock with a peach of a delivery. Swings out late and just enough as De Kock is beaten all ends up.

That is some comeback and celebration from Boult. Went for consecutive boundaries in the first two balls but it wasn't going to be a hat-trick. He's silenced the crowd yes, Lucknow is quiet! LSG 8/1.

LSG vs RR head-to-head

In the LSG vs RR head-to-head record, the Royals have won three games while the Super Giants have won once. For more details click here.

LSG vs RR Playing XI

Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Sanju Samson (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

RR Impact Substitutes: Riyan Parag, Tanush Kotian, Shubham Dubey, Navdeep Saini, Tom Kohler-Cadmore

There is one change as Jos Buttler comes in place of Riyan Parag who appears in the list of impact substitutes.

LSG vs RR Toss

The Royals captain Sanju Samson has won the toss, and elects to field first. There is a slight confusion at the centre as LSG skipper KL Rahul checks with the match referee on Samson's call. It is clear and the Royals have indeed won the toss.

"It looks like a decent wicket to bowl first, let us see" Samson mentioned.

LSG vs RR Pitch Report

"In terms of the wicket, it is black clay, which is not that friendly for spinners. They are rolled in really nicely. Maybe a little bit of movement of those cracks. Expect more runs, we could see a big total in the range of 180-190 easily," said Matthew Hayden

"The average first innings total has gone up to the mid 170s from the mid 150s. Hopefully, we get an outstanding game here tonight," added Ian Bishop 

Ekana Stadium in IPL 2024

There have been four matches so far at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow this season, with teams batting first and second winning two games apiece. LSG have won three of their four home games here with their 199/8 against Punjab Kings, being the highest total so far. The Royals are yet to lose away from home this season with wins at Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Top Performers of IPL 2024

Riyan Parag and skipper Sanju Samson have led the way for the Royals with the bat scoring 318 runs and 314 runs from eight matches respectively in IPL 2024. Both have averaged above 60 this season and striking the ball at a rate in excess of 150.00.

Yuzvendra Chahal with 13 wickets and Trent Boult with nine scalps have been the standout performers from the Royals' bowling unit.

Samson has been the Royals' most successful batter against LSG with 129 runs in four matches whereas Boult has dismissed seven LSG batters from four outings.

Welcome to the LSG vs RR live blog

Good evening all, this time from the city of Nawabs! It’s Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2024 today at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Rajasthan Royals look to remain unbeaten against the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 and continue their reign at the top of the points table. Stay tuned for the complete Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals timeline here.