The 4th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The match will start at 3:30 p.m. (IST).
Teams Analysis:
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
During the 2023 season, Rajasthan was looking close to the playoffs as they registered 5 wins in their first 8 matches. But in the second half of the season they lost the touch and finally ended 5th in the points table. Their back to back losses in the last two matches resulted in them not qualifying for the losses.
This time they had some powerful hitters like Rovman Powell whom they purchased for 7.40 cr in the IPL 2024 auction and was their highest bid in that auction. This will definitely help them in strengthening their death overs and he is well known for his hard hitting skills towards the end. Also he can contribute well to the bowling department.
Another fresh face added to the team is Shubham Dubey who is well known for his hitting ability and the franchise opted him by paying 5.80 cr.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will once try to replicate the 2023 season as he ended with 625 runs in 14 matches which includes 1 century and 5 half-centuries. He is currently in best touch when playing for India and now again will be a destructive opener again. Another opener Jos Butler failed to replicate the 2022 season as in 2023 he contributed 392 runs with the bat. Though he couldn’t contribute much, he was still the 2nd top scorer for the team last season. Nevertheless he can be a beast for the team and can provide much with the bat anytime.
Skipper Sanju Samson also struggled in the first phase of the last season but somehow gained momentum towards the end and scored 362 runs with 3 half-centuries. He has the skill to shift the gear and is well known for his hard hitting skills. One of the greatest finishers Shimron Hetmyer has to step in with the bat again to get some healthy runs for the team, especially in the death overs. He and Rovman will be a great combo in the death overs.
Another batting strong point is Dhruv Jurel. Though he had a miserably 2023 season as he only scored 152 runs in 13 matches with an average of approx 22, but had a spectacular season against England in the test series where he played match winning knocks.
Rajasthan spinners were brilliant in the last season especially Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. Chahal got most wickets for his team as he ended with 21 wickets in his pocket while Ashwin grabbed 15 wickets. These two are the team’s real assets as they took wickets whenever the team needed them the most. This time again they will be eager to show their class. Adam Zampa is also in top notch form as he was in the top 4 wicket takers in the 2023 World Cup.
Looking at their pace department, they had some quality experienced bowlers in the IPL. Trent Boult is always lethal in the starting and also towards the end of the innings. In the last season he got 11 wickets for the team and will once again create problems for the opposition. He will be well assisted by Sandeep Sharma who has over 100 wickets in the IPL. Last season he didn’t get much as he took just 8 wickets in 12 matches. But he will definitely want to change his stats this season.
Probable playing 11 for the match:
Sanju Samson (c/wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Butler, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Sandeep Sharma.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):
The team came into existence during the 2022 season and they played two seasons. In both the seasons they finished 3rd in the points table and had to play the eliminator. Unfortunately they were unable to qualify for the finals but this time they had a chance to make things into their favour.
Skipper KL Rahul who is declared completely fit and now will be able to play the matches from the start of the season. In the 2023 season he just played 9 matches and had to sit out due to the injury. But now after being completely fit he will again show his services for the team. To help him in the opening Quinton de Kock who is in fine touch in this shortest format. Last season he was unable to play all the matches as Rahul came to open along with Kyler Mayers.
Mayers started the season with some good half-centuries but he lost his rhythm in the 2nd half and was unable to put runs on the board much. He ended with 379 runs under his bat.
The team has good finishers in the form of Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran. Stoinis was the leading scorer last season where he made 408 runs and hit 3 half-centuries. Pooran on the other hand ended the season with 358 runs which includes two 50’s. Both of them have the capacity to turn things into their team’s favour anytime. Ayush Badoni also showed his skill as a finisher in the last season. Though he didn’t get much chance to show his skills but whenever he got the chance he capitalized it better.
Their spin all-rounders Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda didn’t shine much in the last season. Hooda was hugely disappointed in the last season as he just scored 88 runs in the season whereas Krunal somehow managed to grab wickets as he got 12 wickets. Despite their huge reputation as a great all-rounders they had to step out again in this season.
Shivam Mavi a great addition to the team as LSG got him for 6.40 cr in the 2024 auction. He was the highest bidder for the franchise in that auction. This young pacer has the ability to take wickets in the powerplay and can create problems with his bouncers. Earlier he played for KKR and GT.
Ravi Bishnoi was the leading wicket taker in the last season as he got 16 wickets for the team. He can be highly dangerous in the middle overs and will be a huge advantage for the team again in the middle overs. Amit Mishra can also use his experience as he is well known for his spin in this short format.
The team mostly lags in their pace department. Though they had Naveen-ul-Haq, the addition of David Willey will definitely help the team during the powerplay and in the death overs. Mark Wood will not be able to play as the ECB want him to remain fit for the T20 World Cup.
Probably playing 11 for the Match:
KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Shivam Mavi, Yudhvir Singh Charak.
Pitch Report:
The match will be played at Sawai Mansingh stadium, Jaipur. It is basically a batsmen dominating the pitch but in the daytime spinners can contribute better. Therefore a chasing team might have a little advantage.
Weather Report:
Weather will be clear as the temperature will go up to 35 degree and might go down to 23 degree celsius. Humidity will be less and wind will be low therefore can help batsmen much easier to score runs.
Best 11 for the Match:
Jos Butler, Sanju Samson, Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Marcus Stoinis, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Ravi Bishnoi.