RR vs LSG Review – Stoinis, Avesh help Lucknow defend lowest total of the season
Lucknow Super Giants pulled off an impressive 10-run win over table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in the 26th Indian Premier League 2023 match on April 19. Ravichandran Ashwin shone with two wickets as Lucknow managed to score just 154/7 while batting first. Then Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave Rajasthan a solid start but Avesh Khan and Marcus Stoinis bowled match-winning spells at the death to guide Lucknow to a deserving win.
KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers produced another good start with an 82-run stand after being asked to bat. Rahul scored 39 off 32 as he struggled for an aggressive start but Mayers pulled off his third fifty this season. After their dismissals, twenties from Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran took LSG past 150.
Rajasthan Royals openers also provided a promising start with an 87-run partnership but Lucknow bowlers were impressive with economical spells and tried to keep Lucknow alive. Marcus Stoinis gave Lucknow an opening in the 12t over Jaiswal’s wicket, who scored 44 off 35, with Avesh Khan taking a brilliant catch.
Then Rajasthan lost skipper Samson in the next over on an unfortunate run over. Stoinis silenced the home crowd with Butter’s wicket as well in the 14th over. Avesh Khan further added pressure on Rajasthan Royals with Shimron Hetmyer’s wicket in the 16th over. Rajasthan’s lower order struggled for the big shots as Avesh Khan took two more wickets in the last over to restrict the hosts to just 144/6.
Top performers from the match
Marcus Stoinis: The Australian all-rounder scored crucial 21 off 16 and then picked wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Butter as he conceded just 15 off his first three overs to balance the game.
Avesh Khan: The Indian pacer took a brilliant catch to dismiss Jaiswal and then defended 19 in the last over. He picked up two wickets in the final over to guide his team to a sensational win, finishing 3/25 in his quota.
What’s next for both teams?
LSG meet Gujarat Titans at home on April 22 while RR next face Royal Challengers Bangalore away on April 23.
