Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL, 2026, Full Score Card

SIX! Donovan Ferreira seals the win for the Rajasthan Royals. RR win by 7 wickets and give their playoff chances a big boost. Fractionally short from around the wicket, on off. Ferreira presses back and thumps it down the ground. The long off fielder stands no chance as he can only watch the ball sail over his head.

Just like Rajasthan Royals. Lucknow Super Giants also get the fielding penalty for not completing their overs in the stipulated time frame. It will be Shahbaz Ahamad to bowl the final over.

PUT DOWN! Prince goes searching for the yorker. It comes out as a low full toss, on middle. Ferreira clears the front leg and hits it flat down to long on. Nicholas Pooran runs in off the ropes and gets low to take the catch around his shin. It goes in and out of his palm. Single taken. RR need 2 from the final over.

Full and on off. Ferreira picks the bones out of it and powers the drive but picks out the man at mid off.

Low full toss, on leg. This is knocked to long on for a single.

SIX! Dhruv Jurel brings up his FIFTY in style. The 5th half-century of the season for RR's number 3. Prince bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Jurel hangs on the back foot and swivels to pull it behind square leg for a biggie. Dhruv throws a punch in the air while looking towards the dugout.

Two dots to begin with. Nice and full with a bit of tail towards the batter. Jurel tries to flick it away. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it lobs in front of the batter. Dhruv is not aware of where the ball is and sets off before being sent back. He puts in a dive to get home as Prince releases an underarm throw but misses.

Hits the top of off. Dhruv presses back and plays the short-arm jab but can't beat the man at a catching mid-wicket.

A big swing and a miss! Rolls his fingers over the ball and this is on a good length, just outside the off pole. Ferreira gets the front leg out of the way and swings across the line. The ball keeps a bit low to go under his bat.

Slips in the yorker, on middle. Donovan jams it out back past the bowler. By the time the long on fielder can get around and release the throw, the batters are able to come back for the second. 10 more needed for RR.

FOUR! In the gap! Off-cutter, bowled into the wicket, at shoulder height. Ferreira gets his hands high and drags the pull to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

On a hard length, on middle. Ferreira stands tall and pulls it along the ground to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

Takes pace off and goes into the pitch, on middle. Dhruv pulls it hard through square leg. Prince Yadav sprints and slides to his left in the deep to cut it off. Single taken.

A loud shout for LBW! Turned down by the umpire. The timer runs out before Rishabh Pant can make up his mind. Full and straight, at the sticks. Ferreira clears the front leg and has a heave across the line. The ball goes under the inside edge to catch him on the crouched back thigh. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes away on the off side.

Mayank Yadav is back in to finish his spell.

A pinpoint yorker, on middle and leg. Ferreira hurriedly gets his bat down and squeezes it out to wide mid on for one. 20 needed off 18.

Bashes the hard length, over middle. Jurel presses back for the pull but is rushed. He mistimes the shot to deep mid-wicket for one. The 200 comes up for RR.

Yorker, on off. Jurel jams it out to backward point and they set off for a quick run. Ayush Badoni swoops in and gets low to pick the ball up but fumbles, allowing the batters to take the second run.

Not a lot going in favour of the bowler in that appeal. Seam-up ball, low full toss, on middle and leg. This tails back into the right-hander. Donovan Ferreira leans across to flick it away but the ball goes under the bat to catch him low on the front pad. A confident shout by the bowler alone and it is turned down. Rishabh Pant feels that it is going down leg but takes the bowler's head and goes for the review. No bat involved and the Ball Tracking has the ball going down the leg stump.

Reviewed! More in hope, it seems. Prince Yadav seemed excited about the LBW appeal, but it was turned down. Rishabh Pant goes for the DRS and the third umpire is called into action. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside the ball is sliding past the leg stump. NOT OUT.

Donovan Ferreira walks out to bat next for the Royals.

OUT! PRETORIUS IS RUN OUT! Prince nails the yorker, outside the off stump. Jurel drops his bat down and digs it out to backward point. A look at each other before the batters set off for a risky single. The ball bounces nicely for Ayush Badoni, who moves forward and picks it up cleanly before having a shy at the batting end. Lhuan-dre Pretorius had already given up and Badoni hits the target to catch him short. RR are 196/3, needing 25 from 22 balls.

Skidding through, not that wide for the cut and not that short either. On a good length, in the channel. Jurel goes for the cut but misses as the ball sneaks under his willow.

Prince Yadav (2-0-31-0) is back on.

Fuller and on middle and leg. Pretorius presses forward and clips it uppishly to the left of long on for a brace.

A bit wide, on a back of a length. Dhruv extends his hands and cuts it wide of backward point for a run.

On a nagging length, attacking the front pad. Pretorius wrists it in front of deep mid-wicket. They think about the second run but the fielder in the deep is quick to get rid of the ball.

Pushed across the right-hander, on the fuller side. Jurel reaches out and eases it to deep point for a single.

Leg bye! Angled in on a good length, on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to clip it away but misses. The ball goes off the pads on the off side for a leg bye.

Good running! Around off, on a good length. Lhuan-dre Pretorius plays it with soft hands as he tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second run.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Just the one over since the departure of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but there has finally been a bit of calm after the storm he unleashed. With just 33 runs needed off 30 balls and 8 wickets in hand, the Royals will look to finish this chase quickly. LSG, meanwhile, have been left stunned by a storm named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Another single to end the over, 33 needed off 30 balls. Around middle and leg, worked away from the crease and down to long on for one.

Quicker one on off, Jurel swivels and pulls it flat to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Good length angled across off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius rocks back and jams it down towards the non-striker. The ball hits Jurel's bat and deflects to mid on for a single.

At the stumps, pushed down to long on for a single this time.

Two more, that's brilliant running between the wickets. Full on middle, Jurel lunges and works it gently through mid on. The long on fielder charges in but the batters complete two runs with ease.

Excellent running. Good length around off, nudged away through cover-point for a couple of runs by Jurel.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walks off to a standing ovation. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohsin Khan makes quick amends and does get rid of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but it all seems a bit too late for LSG. Slower and a bit into the pitch, over off stump. Sooryavanshi hangs back and looks to wallop it over long on but doesn't get the desired connection. The ball sails down to long on, where Abdul Samad takes a simple catch, and Sooryavanshi's amazing innings comes to an end.

Back of a length on leg, tucked away down to deep square leg for one.

Slower delivery, pushed across off, Jurel taps it down to point.

Angled well across off, hammered but straight to covers.

Hard length outside off, swatted down to long on for one.

How can you miss from there? Mohsin Khan has fumbled a huge chance for Lucknow to get back into the contest. Slower one, angled across off. Dhruv Jurel dabs it to backward point and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is halfway down the pitch, looking for a single that isn't there. Digvesh Singh picks it up and throws it to the bowler. Mohsin jogs towards the stumps, but decides to under-am it at the stumps, instead of continuing to jog and dislodge the bails. He misses from a few inches out, and the batters end up getting a single.

Mohsin Khan (2-0-21-0) is back.

FOUR! Just in the gap and this time, it will be a four for Sooryavanshi. Another one that is a bit short, on off. Sooryavanshi hangs back and clubs it to the left of Mitchell Marsh at deep mid-wicket. Marsh scampers across and dives but the ball lands well out of his reach. The 100-run stand is up between these two, in a flash as well.

Fired in full around leg, Sooryavanshi goes down to slog sweep but fails to make a connection.

SIX! As flat as it can get. Drag-down from Digvesh, angled across off. Sooryavanshi gets low, drags the pull and flat-bats it over cow corner for yet another biggie.

Another one that is a bit shorter and pushed well wide of the off stump. Sooryavanshi reaches out and toe-ends it to the right of the bowler.

Sooryavanshi is gutted to miss out on that one. Very quick at 102.3 clicks, dug in well short and outside off. Sooryavanshi looks to cut but misses.

Short ball into the pitch, on off. Jurel shanks it down to long on off the back foot for one.

Absolute carnage in Jaipur. The required run rate has dropped below 7. Rishabh Pant brings back Digvesh Singh.

SIX! It's a massacre right now from the batters. Dug in short, right at the batter. Sooryavanshi hangs back, climbs into the pull and muscles it over deep square leg for six more. 4 out of the last 4 balls he's faced have gone the distance. 29 off the over, a huge one for RR. Just 55 needed now off 48 balls.

SIX! Stand and deliver, what a stylish and clean hit from the youngster. Good length, speared across off. Sooryavanshi stays leg side, clears the front leg and just nonchalantly lifts it over extra cover for another six.

Slower one, straight at the stumps, punched down to long on for one.

SIX! Extra pace on the ball, and the ball just flies off the blade. Quick and short again, outside off. Jurel gets on his toes and carves it over deep backward point for another maximum. 16 off the over already.

SIX! Wow, that is a clean strike! Quick and short, but just not short enough. Dhruv Jurel lines it up early, leans back and pummels the pull over deep square leg for a biggie.

FOUR! That's drilled down the ground. Mayank misses the mark with the yorker and serves a low full toss on off. Dhruv Jurel punches it straight back, just to the left of the stumps at the other end and the ball races to the fence.

Mayank Yadav returns to the attack. 2-0-12-0 so far for Mayank. After 11 overs, LSG were also 137/1.

SIX! Make that a half-century of sixes for the season for Sooryavanshi. A short ball now, over middle and near shoulder height. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi drags the pull and nails it with immense power over deep mid-wicket for another biggie. 16 off the over and the Royals are cantering in this chase.

SIX! Number 49 of the season for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Hard length, wide outside off, Sooryavanshi lays into the shot and slaps it flat over deep extra cover for a maximum.

Clearly, a bump ball! Very full and just outside off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi jams it into the turf and straight to cover, where the fielder pouches it safely. There is half an enquiry to check for a fair catch, but the third umpire confirms that it is a bump ball.

That's well bowled. A full and straight one, in the blockhole. Jurel digs it down to long on and turns the strike over. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Hard length on off, sliding on. Sooryavanshi stays leg side of the ball and cuts it through backward point for one more.

WIDE! Too high. Slow and short, angled across off. Sooryavanshi leaves it alone. No review from LSG.

Back of a length, angled into the batter. Jurel advances and jams it through mid on for a single.

Ten overs down in the chase and the Royals need 100 more in the remaining 60 balls.

SIX! Clean strike! A six off the last ball spoils the over for LSG. Tossed up, sliding across the left-hander. A bit too full, and Sooryavanshi extends his hands and gets low to tonk it over extra cover for a biggie.

At 99.2 kph, angled in, on middle and leg. Jurel nurdles it through square leg for a run.

Drops it a bit too short, on off. This is slapped to extra cover, where Mitchell Marsh moves to his right and keeps the batters down to one.

Short and on middle. Jurel pushes it to the right of the bowler for a single.

A single sneaked in and that will be FIFTY for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gloves taken off, now then, is that another note coming out? Nope. Sooryavanshi forms an 'A' with his fingers and points it towards the dugout. Across off, on a good length, Vaibhav brings out the reverse and gets it to the right of short third. A fumble from Mayank Yadav and the batters are alert enough to cross over.

Sliding in at the hips, on a nagging length. Jurel turns it through square leg for a run.

FOUR! Heaved away! 26 runs off the over, the most expensive over of the game. Akash Singh has blown hot and cold tonight. 23 runs off his first over, then a wicket and just 5 runs off his next and now a 26-run over. Full and slanting in at the sticks. Sooryavanshi clears the front leg and smears it to the right of the man at deep mid-wicket for a boundary. RR need 111 runs off 66 balls.

Wide! Dug in short again and it is too high again. Sooryavanshi lets it be.

Wide! Pace off, on a shortish length, keeping it away from the batter's arc. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lets it go. Too high for the umpire's liking.

SIX! Nothing edgy about this one. This has come right out of the screws. Angled into the left-hander, not short enough to trouble the batter. It sits up to be hit around the waist and Sooryavanshi pumps it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 20 runs off the over with a ball to go.

FOUR! Off the edge again! Akash errs in both line and length again. Too short, too wide and Sooryavanshi swings hard to go big on the off side. It flies off a thickish outside edge over short third. One bounce and over the ropes.

Fuller and closer to the off stump. That is punched off the back foot, but straight to cover.

FOUR! Sooryavanshi flashes and flashes hard. Not the best of balls by Akash as this is short and wide on off. Vaibhav needs no second invitation. He throws the kitchen sink at it and the ball flies wide of the keeper off an outside edge for a boundary.

SIX! Just over! It could have been a different outcome had the fielder been back at the fence. Fractionally short, on middle. Sooryavanshi plays the pull off the front foot and hits it flat towards deep backward square leg. Mayank Yadav is a few steps in off the ropes and leaps but the ball sails over his head for a six.

Attacks the front pad, on a length. Dhruv brings his bat out in front to defend.

Keeps the stumps in play and bowls it full, Jurel taps it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Threads it through! A bit too short, on off. Jurel hops on the back foot in a flash and cuts it late to pick the gap between backward point and short third for the second boundary of the over. Digvesh gestures something towards Rishabh Pant about the field placement, but in truth, that was simply a poor delivery and nothing else.

Floated up, on off. Dhruv punches it off the front foot to cover.

Better from Singh. Pushes it through, fuller and at the sticks. Jurel presents a straight bat for the block.

FOUR! Put away! Digvesh Singh drops it short, on off. Jurel is quick to rock back and pummels it aerially in the gap at deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Going away, on a back of a good length. Jurel cuts it late and manages to beat the diving backward point fielder to his left. Prince Yadav gets around in the deep and tidies up. Dhruv is off the mark with a single. A good comeback over from Akash after going for 23 runs in his first over. A wicket and 5 runs off it.

Tighter line, on a short of a length. Dhruv looks to punch it away but ends up bunting it down the strip.

Across off, on the shorter side. Jurel chops it down to point.

Dhruv Jurel walks out to bat at number 3 for the Royals.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A much-needed breakthrough for LSG. Bowled with an upright seam, on a good length, around off. Jaiswal goes hard on the drive and there is just enough away movement to graze the outside edge. Rishabh Pant gobbles it up with ease. End of a 75-run opening stand.

FOUR! Oh, misjudgement on the part of Mukul Choudhary! Off-pace delivery at 107.4 kph, on a good length. Jaiswal picks the slower ball and pauses his bat swing for a moment. He flashes at the ball and it goes low to backward point, where the sub fielder, Choudhary is caught wrong-footed. He extends his right hand low but the ball evades him and goes away for a boundary.

Starts well, does Akash. Hits the back of a length, on top of off. Jaiswal angles it off the back foot to backward point.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A solid Powerplay for Rajasthan Royals with the bat, not as good as Lucknow Super Giants, but still pretty solid. Yashasvi Jaiswal seems to have found his best form in a crunch game and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also started to open his arms after a watchful start. The key for LSG is wickets and they will hope that they manage to get loads of them in the next phase of the chase. RR are just scoring better than the initial required rate, but will need to keep going, even with the fielding restrictions now lifted as they still need 150 off 84 balls. Also, Akash Singh is brought back into the attack. He went for 23 in his first over.

FOUR! Nicely manufactured! Prince takes pace off and goes into the wicket, across. Sooryavanshi hops and gets his hands high to slap it with a horizontal bat back over the bowler's head. 15 off Prince's first over. After 6 overs, the Royals are 71/0.

Nails the yorker, on middle. Vaibhav keeps it out on the off side.

FOUR! Powered away! Pushes the length up now, just outside the off stump. Sooryavanshi stays still in his crease and gets his hands through the ball to slam it along the ground between cover and mid off. It races away to the fence in a flash.

SIX! Clever, very clever! Dug in short at 140.6 kph, over middle. Sooryavanshi arches back and plays the shot behind himself. Angles the bat face in a fashion to ramp it over the keeper for a six.

Low full toss, on middle. Jaiswal hurriedly gets his bat down and knocks it to the right of mid off for a single.

Goes past the bat! Going away, on a length, Jaiswal flashes hard at the ball but is beaten past the outside edge.

Prince Yadav to close out the Powerplay for LSG. Earlier today, he received his maiden India call-up for next month's ODI series against Afghanistan.

A fine comeback delivery from Yadav to end the over. Quick and a bit short over middle, Sooryavanshi tries to crouch and play the ramp but is beaten for pace.

SIX! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi seems to have had enough. Pace on this time, on a hard length and outside off. Sooryavanshi extends his arms and almost caresses the lofted drive, nailing it over the cover fence for a biggie.

Another off-paced delivery, and another dot ball for Yadav. On a good length, angled across off. Sooryavanshi looks to cut close to the body but is undone by the lack of pace.

Good change of pace from Yadav. Slower one, on a good length around middle. Sooryavanshi watchfully defends it to cover.

Full and attacking the pads, clipped away towards mid-wicket for a single. The 50-run stand is up between these two as well.

The express pace from Yadav is working well for LSG. In the blockhole and just outside off at a searing 152.4 kph, Jaiswal looks to squeeze it away but the ball sneaks under the willow.

Shorter in length, wide outside off again, cut away to deep point for one. 19 off the over, a big one for the Royals.

Mohsin pushes this one wide outside off, on a hard length and Jaiswal punches it down to cover-point.

FOUR! Jaiswal is showing the full range here, 18 off the first 4 deliveries. Just back of a length, on a tight line around off. Jaiswal plays a late dab and gets it fine of short third for four more runs.

FOUR! Jaiswal is in the zone now. Pitched fuller and outside off, Jaiswal takes a step to the off side and jams the drive between mid off and extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! That's a cracking shot. Good-length delivery, but a tad wide outside off. Jaiswal throws his hands at it and hammers the cut through point for a boundary.

SIX! Down the wrong line and Yashasvi Jaiswal puts it away with ease. Short and angled down leg, Jaiswal gets inside the line and helps the pull over fine leg for a six.

A heart-in-the-mouth moment for Sooryavanshi, but he gets away with it. A skiddy short ball, over off stump and this one rushes the batter. Sooryavanshi looks to pull but miscues it badly and well in front of mid off. Tidy start from Yadav.

Fuller in length, attacking the stumps, Sooryavanshi backs away and hits it straight to cover.

FOUR! Cleverly done by Sooryavanshi. Another quick ball, back of a length and outside off. Sooryavanshi waits back and just uses the face to ramp it to the right of deep backlward point for a boundary.

That's zipped through. Fractionally short but wide outside off, at almost 148 clicks. Sooryavanshi has a swoosh at it but misses.

Mayank hits the deck hard and bowls it around leg. Jaiswal tucks it past square leg for a single.

Full-pitched delivery at 144.2 clicks, angled across the off stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes for the big cover drive but is well beaten.

Mayank Yadav has been called into the attack. Yet to pick up a wicket, this is his fourth game of the season.

Mohsin Khan averages out that expensive first over and gives away just a couple of singles. Back of a length, around off, hit away in front of point. RR are 25/0 after 2, which is exactly what LSG were in their innings.

Hard length on off, Jaiswal stays back and lets the ball come on, dabbing it late and wide of short third for a single.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has copped a blow on the left elbow and is in considerable pain. The physio is out to have a look. A bit of magic spray first, and now the elbow is being strapped up. Jaiswal is ready to resume.

Short ball again, on middle, but comes in at an awkward height for Jaiswal. Jaiswal tries to hop up and fend it away but gets hit on the inside part of the elbow. That will definitely sting.

Sooryavanshi is off the mark with a well-judged single. Good length on middle, hitting the deck hard. Sooryavanshi pushes it without much timing towards mid on and pinches a quick run.

Back of a length, just outside off, sliding back in sharply off the deck. Sooryavanshi punches it sweetly to cover.

Mohsin begins with a short one. Banged in just outside off, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ducks under it.

Mohsin Khan will operate from the other end.

FOUR! Well, that's the last thing you want as a bowler, especially when you have already conceded 19 runs in the over. Short and wide outside off, there to be hit. Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts it hard but straight to deep backward point, where Mayank Yadav fumbles it onto the ropes. 23 off the first over of the chase.

Back of a length, straighter in line, around the rib cage and Jaiswal can't quite get it away.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, dear, this is turning out to be a long and frustrating over for LSG. Skiddish length on leg, nips a long way down the leg side and this time Pant can't get to it. The ball rolls down to the fine leg fence. 19 off the over already.

Much better! Good length, in and around off, kept out by Jaiswal.

WIDE! Singh's radar seems completely off at the moment. Back of a length, darted well down leg, well taken by Rishabh Pant diving full-stretch to his right.

FOUR! This time on the off side. Short and wide outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs on the back foot and spanks it away past point for a hat-trick of boundaries.

FOUR! And again! Shortish length around the hips, seems like a definite plan but it isn't coming off at the moment for Akash Singh and Lucknow. Jaiswal just swivels and pulls it firmly towards the vacant fine leg region for another boundary.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal is off the mark in fine fashion. The on air commentators just mentioned that the fine leg is very wide and the ball travels to exactly where a normal fine leg would have been. Dug in short over middle and leg, swatted away down to fine leg for the first boundary of the chase.

WIDE! Starts with a loosener, does Akash. Gentle-paced delivery, a touch full and angled well down leg. The Royals are underway with an extra.

OUT! TIMBER! What a final over from Jofra Archer and he's handed the Royals all the momentum they needed heading into the break as LSG finish with 220/5 on the board. Quick and full, nearly in the blockhole. Ayush Badoni shuffles to the off side and looks to play a cheeky lap, but he's beaten for raw pace and the ball arrows into the off stump. Just five runs and 3 wickets in the final over.

Back-to-back dismissals in the 90s for Mitchell Marsh. Ayush Badoni to face the final ball.

OUT! MARSH IS RUN OUT! In search of a ton, Mitchell Marsh ends up being run out for 96. Two consecutive matches in which he has been run out in the 90s. This is a low full toss from Jofra Archer, on off. Marsh hangs back and drives it towards long off and collects a single. However, he pushes for the second but the timing on the shot is good and Yashasvi Jaiswal charges in to reach the ball. Jaiswal picks the ball cleanly and scores a brilliant direct hit at the keeper's end. Marsh is well short.

FOUR! Finally, Marsh puts bat to ball and picks up a boundary. A quick and high bumper over middle, near waist-height. Marsh swings across the line and ends up slicing it down to deep third for a boundary. Marsh has reviewed it for a No Ball as well. The third umpire has a look and initial replays suggest that it might be a fair delivery. The Ball Tracker then shows that Marsh's waist height is 1.103 meters and the ball is passing through at 0.903 meters, so it stays a fair delivery.

Another swing and a miss, and this time the bowling team has taken a review for caught behind. There wasn't much of an appeal from Jofra Archer, but Dhruv Jurel seems very interested. Coming to the ball, Archer shifts his length a bit fuller, hitting the good length and angling it into the batter. Marsh misses the pull and the ball might have brushed the thigh pad. UltraEdge confirms the same and it stays NOT OUT. Still, three dots on the trot.

This is fiery stuff from Archer. Another quick bumper, over middle this time and around helmet height. Mitchell Marsh looks to pull but the ball flies over his willow. Marsh reviews it for a wide and the third umpire is having a look. Replays show that Marsh's head height is 1.99 meters and the ball is passing at 1.873 meters. Two dots to begin the final over.

The next batter in is Abdul Samad, but he will be at the non-striker's end.

OUT! PANT IS RUN OUT! Too much enthusiasm from Rishabh Pant and he has to walk back here. A quicker bumper from Jofra Archer, over off stump. Mitchell Marsh swings and misses and Pant is already halfway down the track, looking for a bye. The keeper, Dhruv Jurel picks up the ball and tosses it back to the bowler and Archer hits the bullseye at the bowler's end.

How many can Lucknow Super Giants get in the final over? They'll be hoping to finish around 230, but Jofra Archer is in their way. Also, the Rajasthan Royals have been penalised for a slow over rate. They can only have four fielders outside the circle.

Back of a length and outside off, bowled into the deck. Marsh looks to cut but gets an inside edge to the left of the keeper and picks up an easy single. Marsh moves on to 91.

Buzzers! No real need for the keeper to attempt a run out there, and it's ended up costing an extra run. Slower one, on a length and outside off. Pant looks to drag it leg side but gets an under edge down to the keeper. Dhruv Jurel tries to keep Pant honest and fires in a direct hit, but the ball then deflects away and the batters manage to pinch the single.

SIX! Powered away into the crowd by Rishabh Pant. Full toss, angled into the batter. Pant walks down the pitch, holds his shape and forces the lofted shot over wide long on for a six.

WIDE! Close call, but no review is taken. Slower bumper around off, Pant hops up but fails to reach it. Actually, replays later suggest that it was well over head height.

Well bowled! Yorker-length delivery on off, Pant punches it into the deck and back to the bowler.

Wow, three fielders converge but the ball lands smack-dab between them. Deceptive slower ball, pitched fuller and outside off. Mitchell Marsh looks to loft it over extra cover but is through the shot early and mistimes it high. The ball falls safely around the short cover region and Marsh gets a single.

That's been hammered into the pitch. Dug in a touch short and on off, rushes the batter. Pant jams the pull towards wide mid on and picks up a single.

Will Sandeep Sharma bowl out? No, it will be Sushant Mishra to bowl the penultimate over. Also, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi comes in as the Impact Sub for Rajasthan Royals, replacing Yash Punja.

Yash Punja is substituted by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

FOUR! Oh, a bit unlucky for the bowler, and LSG yet again manage to pick up double-digit runs in the over. Fiery yorker, aimed in at the toes. Marsh tries to take the front leg out but ends up toe-ending it through his legs for a boundary down to fine leg. The 50-run stand comes up. 10 off the over.

A straight yorker now, Pant stays deep in the crease, swivels and shovels it through mid-wicket for one. The 200 is now up for LSG.

Archer's done it again. Another wide yorker, at 146.8 kph, landing it just inside the tramline outside off. Rishabh Pant tries to reach it but fails to do so.

That's well bowled. A wide yorker, around 148 kph. Pant backs away to hit through the off side but is well beaten.

FOUR! Pant falls over, but gets it away again, and that's typical Rishabh Pant. Full and angled at the stumps from around the wicket. Pant falls over to the off side and flicks it just past the off stump and wide of the keeper for a boundary down to fine leg.

Top delivery! Nails the yorker at the toes, Marsh digs it back onto the legs and the ball rolls behind the stumps, as the batters pinch a single.

Time to bring back Jofra Archer? Yes, right on cue. He has conceded 24 runs in his first couple of overs.

FOUR! Somehow, Rishabh Pant has managed to get it away to the fence. Sandeep comes over the wicket, bowls a yorker on off. Pant goes across to the off side and whips it from deep inside the crease, a bit uppishly through backward square leg for a boundary. 12 off the over.

Another full and wide one, Marsh comes forward and hits it on the full to long off for a single.

And again! Full and wide, angled well outside off, and even beyond the tramline. However, Marsh moves early and tries to go after it but misses.

The change of angle works for Sandeep Sharma. Comes around the wicket and darts a wide yorker across the right-hander. Marsh reaches for it and toe-ends it into the turf.

SIX! Launched into the night sky and well over the ropes. Length ball, angled in from around off. Marsh goes back and across to the off saide, hits through the line and nails it over wide long on for a biggie.

Banged in halfway down the pitch and outside off, Pant gets forward and drags it down to long on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A bit of a comeback in the middle phase by the Royals, but the Super Giants are still going at over 11 runs per over. LSG will be targeting a final score of around 220-230 runs and it seems very much gettable from here. RR need wickets and they need a few of them in quick succession to derail the LSG juggernaut. Let's see how the first innings eventually pans out.

Well bowled! Brijesh executes the yorker to perfection, on off and middle. Mitchell Marsh can't do anything about it and just squeezes it out back to the bowler. 17 runs off the over.

How much will the Free Hit cost Rajasthan Royals?

NO BALL, FOUR! Brijesh Sharma gets it all wrong. Brijesh probably went searching for the yorker. Ends up serving a chest-high full toss, angled into the bodyline of the batter. Marsh is cramped up for room but he still manages to get it away. Clears the tall Yash Punja at short fine leg and picks up a boundary. Free Hit coming up.

Wide! Sharma sprays the slower one beyond the tramline on off. Mitchell lets it pass.

On the fuller side and wider on off. Pant is made to reach out and he smacks it to wide long off. They cross.

SIX! Pant goes big! A boundary after 21 balls for LSG. Back-of-the-hand slower one at 111.7 kph, on a back of a length, on middle. Rishabh advances and clubs it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Pace taken off, full and angled into the pads. Pant swipes it behind square leg. Sushant Mishra moves to his right in the deep to mop it up. A slight misfield but the second run was always on.

Slips in the yorker, a bit of tail back in, on middle. Marsh jams it out through mid-wicket for a run.

Full and angled in at the sticks, Pant drills it to the right of long on. The fielder gets around and keeps the batters down to a single.

A single to end the over. Three consecutive overs without a boundary now. Short and on off, this is slapped to deep cover by Pant. Yash Punja finishes with figures of 4-0-35-2.

A bit fuller, on middle. Marsh presses back and taps it to the right of the bowler for one more.

Sliding across, on a nagging length. Rishabh cuts it to deep point for another single.

Dropped short, on leg. Marsh hammers the pull but picks out the man at deep square leg. Just a single.

Offers flight and slows it down. On a length, a bit of away turn. Marsh eases it to cover.

Flighted delivery, full and on leg. Pant works it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Back to pace off, full and drifting onto the pads. Rishabh clips it through square leg for just a single. Tidy stuff from Brijesh. 4 runs off the over. 11 off the last 2.

Goes wide on the crease and nails the yorker at pace, just outside the off stump. Pant fails to squeeze it away.

From around the wicket, takes pace off and keeps it around the tramline, on a length. Pant dances down the track and throws his hands at the ball but misses.

Leg bye! Sliding in at the toes, Marsh is beaten for pace on the tickle. The ball goes off the pads on the leg side for a leg bye.

Very full, on off. Marsh digs it out back to the bowler.

Wide! Brijesh tries to keep it away from the batter's arc and flirts with the tramline. It lands right on the tramline and Marsh lets it go. A tight call but it has gone against the bowler.

Slower one, full and it curves back into the pads. This is flicked to deep backward square leg for a single.

Brijesh Sharma is back in to replace Sushant Mishra.

Fuller and angled in, on middle. Marsh presses back and turns it to the right of deep mid-wicket and comes charging back for the second. First over with a boundary in this innings so far. 7 runs and a wicket off it.

Flat and short, it is the googly, on off. Pant pulls it behind square leg and turns the strike over.

Sliding in at the hips, on the shorter side. Marsh nurdles it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Fractionally short, in line with the off stump. Pant hangs deep in the crease to pull it through square leg for a run.

Southpaw replaces southpaw, as Rishabh Pant walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yash Punja strikes on his return to the attack. Another wrong'un, on a nagging length, on off. Pooran plants his front foot towards the pitch of the ball and swings through the line, looking to go down the ground. The ball catches him high on the bat, and it goes flat towards long off, where Donovan Ferreira misjudges the trajectory of the ball and runs in. At the last moment, he takes a small leap to take the catch over his head. LSG are 151/2.

Starts with a googly, on a good length, on middle. Pooran clears the front leg and has a heave across the line. Gets an inside edge that goes to the left of short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Yash Punja (2-0-23-1) is back into the attack.

FOUR! Powered away! Back of a length and on middle, pace on and sits up nicely for the batter. Mitchell Marsh pounces on it in a flash and whacks it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for four more runs.

FOUR! Deft touch! Short of a length and just outside off, Mitchell Marsh lets the ball come to him, uses the pace and steers it with an open bat face past backward point for another boundary.

Hits the deck hard, on middle and leg, slower again, Mitchell Marsh misses out on his pull and the ball lobs up off his thigh pad and drops in front of the keeper.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, takes pace off, Mitchell Marsh goes through his heave very early and misses.

FOUR! Oh..that's sloppy! Much fuller and around off, Mitchell Marsh puts his all in the shot and smashes it towards long off. Donovan Ferreira moves to his left to pick it up but it hits his fingers and deflects to the fence for a boundary.

Gets the wide yorker right, bowls this just inside the tramline, Mitchell Marsh lets it go but this is a fair ball.

A low full toss, on leg, dips in late, Mitchell Marsh drills it wide of long on for one more. The fielder fumbles a bit but no harm done. 10 runs off Shanaka's first over!

Pitched up and around off, Nicholas Pooran extends his arms and drives it to sweeper cover for one.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker, but spills it over the tramline, outside off, Nicholas Pooran fails to reach it. Wided.

In the air...SAFE! Dasun Shanaka bangs this into the pitch, around off, Mitchell Marsh goes for the pull shot but the ball gets big on him and takes the top edge. It goes high in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Lhuan-dre Pretorius runs a long way forward but the ball drops well in front of him. They cross.

A slower bumper, just outside off, Mitchell Marsh leaves it alone thinking it is a wide but does not get it.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR MARSH! Off 25 balls. This is his third half-century of the season, and he has looked pretty solid so far here. Pitched up and on middle again, Mitchell Marsh thumps it down the ground and this time, Donovan Ferreira has no chance at long on to stop the boundary.

A slower one, full and on middle, Mitchell Marsh shows the full face of the bat and drills it back past the bowler. The fielder from long on runs to his left and dives to make the stop. Two taken.

Dasun Shanaka has been tossed the ball now. RR's 6th bowling option of the night.

Good-length delivery, on off, Nicholas Pooran stays back and dabs it towards backward point. He calls for the run but Marsh is not interested.

A deceptive slower delivery, hard length and outside off, Nicholas Pooran looks to cut it away but gets an underedge as the ball rolls back to the keeper.

SIX! Goes all the way! Sushant Mishra sticks to the short-ball plan, on middle and leg. Nicholas Pooran is expecting that length, swivels to get inside the line and pulls it. He does not get it from the middle of the bat but it still flies over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and around off, Mitchell Marsh swats it off the cue end of the bat down to long on for a run.

A quick and sharp bumper at 136.9 kph, around off, takes off a bit, Mitchell Marsh goes for the pull but gets beaten on the extra bounce.

Back of a length and on middle, skids through a bit, Nicholas Pooran has a heave across the line but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards backward point. A leg bye taken.

WIDE! Three wides in a row! Hard length but once again errs in line as he bowls this down the leg side. Nicholas Pooran is happy to take the wide.

WIDE! And again! Short of a length, down leg, Nicholas Pooran lets it go again.

WIDE! Bangs this into the pitch but angling down the leg side, Nicholas Pooran thinks about hooking it but withdraws in the end. Called a wide.

Sushant Mishra has been brought back. The debutant went for 13 runs in his first over.

Dragged back, on middle, Nicholas Pooran punches it down to long on for a single. 11 runs and a wicket off the over!

Halt! Looks like the ball has got a bit scuffed up after landing beyond the boundary cushions. The umpires have asked for the ball to be replaced.

SIX! Nicholas Pooran starts with a bang! Googly again, tossed up, full and around off again. Pooran goes after it this time. He extends his arms to get under it and carves it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

Another wrong'un, short and around off, turns away, Nicholas Pooran leaves it alone.

Flatter, shortish and on middle, Nicholas Pooran stays back and looks to pull it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Nicholas Pooran is in at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Yash Punja has the last laugh and gets a much-needed breakthrough for RR. This is a googly, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Josh Inglis gets down on one knee to slog it across the line but plays all over it. The ball goes through and crashes onto the stumps. Ends of a fantastic knock from Inglis, and a 109-run opening stand.

FOUR! The runs continue to flow! Floated, short and just outside off. Josh Inglis backs away, stays leg side of the ball and smacks it wide of long off for a boundary.

SIX! One too many slower deliveries from Brijesh, and this time, Mitchell Marsh takes full toll of it. Dug in short, at the bodyline. Marsh clobbers it high over deep mid-wicket for a maximum and the 100 is also up for LSG.

In the air, but will land safely! Another deceptive slower ball from Sharma, fuller and angled into the batter. Josh Inglis goes after it and hoicks it high over mid-wicket. The deep square leg and deep mid-wicket fielders run after it but can't get to it. Just a single.

This is good bowling from Brijesh. Full and straight, Mitchell Marsh is unable to get under the ball and just punches it down to long off for a single.

A slower delivery now, slightly fuller and angled into middle. Marsh looks to come forward but has to adjust and just blocks it off.

Halt! The physio is out to check on Brijesh Sharma, who seems to be experiencing a bit of discomfort out there. Sharma is ready to resume.

Seam-up now, darted in full and towards middle and leg. Inglis jams it into the turf and the ball goes over the leaping fielder for another single.

Very full on off, turns out to be a low and dipping full toss. Marsh hits it through covers for a single in the deep.

Change? Yes, Brijesh Sharma replaces Sandeep Sharma.

Flatter one, fired in outside off, Inglis backs away and cuts it straight to point.

Shortish length again, outside off, cut away in front of point for a run.

SIX! A big googly, but the length is favorable for the batter. Dragged well short on off, turns back in. Mitchell Marsh stays back and hoicks it with the angle, cleanly over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Floated up, on a length and outside off, patted down to point.

A tad short on middle, pulled off the back foot and in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! It doesn't matter to Josh Inglis if the field is spread or not. Inglis brings up his 2nd IPL FIFTY of the season with a classy shot. Not a bad delivery by any means, on a good length and on off. Inglis presses back and forces the lofted shot off the back foot and towards deep extra cover for a boundary.

Strategic Break! A smashing Powerplay for Lucknow Super Giants, with both the Aussie openers scoring freely. Since the inclusion of Josh Inglis, they have been one of the most attacking sides in the first six overs. However, they will be hoping to continue like this and set up a platform for Nicholas Pooran to come and do his thing. Rajasthan Royals' bowlers have not found their lengths, but they have to pull things back in the middle overs, maybe through spin or else they will have a mountain to climb here. Talking about spin, here is Yash Punja to bowl after the break.

A single to end, but 15 runs come off the final over of the Powerplay, and LSG are 83/0. Length ball, following the batter, Inglis flicks it uppishly through mid-wicket for a run.

Picked up, but not cleanly enough by Josh. Fullish length, angled into the legs, Inglis hoicks it away over mid-wicket for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Just short of the fence. The cross-seamer now, on a length and at the stumps. Inglis heaves it across the line and towards cow corner for a boundary.

SIX! That's Maxwell-esque from Josh Inglis. Almost the perfect yorker on off stump, but Inglis backs away early, goes inside-out and slices it over deep backward point for a biggie.

That's well bowled. The dipping yorker on leg stump, Marsh has to lunge to reach it and toe-ends it wide of mid on for one more.

Good length, attacking off and middle, hit away off the inner half of the blade past square leg for a single.

Final over of Powerplay! Sandeep Sharma to continue. The keeper is up to the stumps.

A good delivery to finish the over, but LSG's run rate is still hovering around 14 runs an over. A straight yorker, Marsh takes the front leg out and jams it to mid on.

A rare dot ball. Full and wide outside off, Marsh reaches for it and jams it in front of point.

SIX! The Bison is on the charge! A tad short and a tad wide outside off, Mitchell Marsh stays put and just lays into the shot, hammering it up and over covers for a biggie this time. 14 off the over already.

Brijesh sees Marsh wandering down the pitch and bowls it at the pads. Marsh fails to hit it away.

FOUR! On the half-volley! Dug in short and at the body, Marsh gets his hands out in front this time and muscles the pull flat and wide to the left of deep backward square leg for another boundary. That one just bounced in front of the cushion.

FOUR! A gift to begin with, from Brijesh. Juicy full toss, outside off, Mitchell Marsh throws his hands at it and scythes it through backward point for a boundary.

Brijesh Sharma comes on to bowl now.

A confident shout for LBW, but turned down! Drags the length back and bowls it on middle and leg. Inglis bends and has a swipe across the line. The ball goes under the bat to catch Josh on the back thigh. That seemed to be going down leg. 16 runs off Sandeep's first over.

Full and on middle, this is pushed to long on for a single.

Marsh was gone had the throw hit! Full and sliding in at the leg stump. Inglis attempts the reverse scoop. The ball comes off the toe and drops beside the strip on the leg side. The keeper, Dhruv Jurel gets to the ball quickly as the batters set off for the run. Marsh was struggling to get home but Jurel's throw missed the stumps.

SIX! Put away with ease! Knuckleball gone wrong for Sandeep. Low full toss, down leg. Inglis hangs low, takes it on the full and swats it over backward square leg for a flat six. 50 UP FOR LSG!

FOUR! The boundaries continue to flow. Sandeep lands it on a good length, on off and middle. Inglis puts on the dancing shoes and swings at it. Slices it off the outer half over cover-point and the ball has enough legs to win the race against the two chasing men.

FOUR! Sandeep Sharma is welcomed with a boundary. Sandeep begins with the knuckleball, on a good length, angled in at the hips. Inglis gets down on a knee and shovels it behind the wicket on the leg side. Gets enough bat on it to clear the tall Yash Punja at short fine leg and pick up a boundary.

Time for a bowling change? Yes, indeed. Sandeep Sharma comes in to replace Sushant Mishra.

Inglis backs away early and Archer responds by taking the pace off. Bowls the leg-cutter, on a length, on leg. Josh has a hoick across the line but he swings early. Gets a leading edge but the ball drops safely well in front of deep third. They cross.

Nails the yorker, at the toes, Marsh digs it out to mid on for one more.

Serves the short ball at 145.9 kph, over middle. A premeditated charge from Marsh and he swings hard at it but the ball climbs onto him and goes over the bat.

FOUR! Gets it away! Not all that short, on middle and leg. Marsh picks up the length quickly and swivels to pull it behind square leg. Lhuan-dre Pretorius sprints and dives to his right in the deep but in vain.

Archer spots Inglis backing away and he follows him with a hard-length delivery. Josh advances and heaves it away wide of mid-wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes after it and flicks it back in the field of play just before the boundary cushions. The fielder backing up cannot pick it up cleanly and the batters sneak in a third run.

FOUR! Nice innovation! Angled in, on middle and leg, on a length. With fine leg up inside the circle, Inglis walks across the stumps and plays the scoop over short fine leg for a boundary.

Low full toss, wide on off. Josh gets his bat down and squeezes it out to deep backward point for a run. 13 runs off Mishra's first over in the IPL.

FOUR! Width offered and Inglis cashes in! A loose ball by Mishra. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Ingis gets on his toes and slaps it over cover-point. One bounce and over the ropes. Mishra has been all over the place in this over.

Slips in the wide yorker, across the batter. Josh reaches out, trying to run it down to deep third with an open bat face but misses.

Pace on, closer to the off stump, on a length. Josh walks across and has a swing across the line. Smears it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Fuller and this sneaks just inside the tramline on off. Inglis makes the leave but it is a fair delivery.

Wide! Mishra drifts well beyond the tramline on off. Inglis lets it pass.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Sushant Mishra looks to go short but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. In line with the off stump and at waist height. Inglis swivels and picks the bones out of it. Nails the pull well over the deep square leg fence.

Wide! Well wide on off, on a nagging length, Josh Inglis lets it go.

Mitchell Marsh has started in a brisk fashion once again. Also, it will be the debutant left-arm seamer, Sushant Mishra, to share the new ball with Archer.

SIX! Hit with real authority! Dug in short, over middle. Mitchell Marsh dances down the track and stays leg side of the ball. He frees his arms and powers it back over the bowler's head with a flat bat for a biggie.

FOUR! Insult to injury! Into the wicket, over middle. Marsh backs away and stands tall to play the lofted hit on the rise over cover for a boundary.

In the air...but it drops out of reach! Archer delivers it on a hard length, on off. Inglis rocks back for the pull but is rushed and the ball gets big on him. It goes straight up off the splice of the blade behind mid-wicket. Sushant Mishra turns around and goes after it. The ball swirls in the air and he extends his hands out but cannot lay a hand on the ball.

Beaten! Cross-seam ball, angled in at the off stump, on a back of a length. Inglis looks to play it behind point with an angled bat face. The ball straightens off the deck to whistle past the outside edge.

Fractionally short, on off. Inglis presses back and swivels to play the pull but picks out mid-wicket.

Leg bye! The Lucknow Super Giants are underway with this extra. Archer bashes the hard length, a bit of nip back into the batter, on off and middle. Marsh gets on his toes to keep it out. The ball goes past the inside edge to strike the back thigh. It drops on the off side and the batters cross over.

We are all set for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle, and the players of Rajasthan Royals form a huddle before striding onto the field of play. It will be the Aussie duo of Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis to open the innings for Lucknow Super Giants. Jofra Archer has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Impact sub options for LSG - Mukul Choudhary, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Himmat Singh and Arshin Kulkarni.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni (In for Aiden Markram), Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahamad, Mohsin Khan (In for Mohammad Shami), Mayank Yadav, Akash Singh and Prince Yadav.

Impact sub options for RR - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yudhvir Singh, Aman Perala, Ravi Bishnoi and Riyan Parag.

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal (C), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (In for Riyan Parag), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma (In for Adam Milne), Sushant Mishra (On IPL debut), Brijesh Sharma and Yash Punja.

The skipper of the Lucknow Super Giants - Rishabh Pant says that he feels pretty confident as the wicket is pretty good to bat on. They don't mind batting or bowling, so it doesn't matter much. Mentions that they take a lot of pride in playing each game and want to carry the good work from the last game. Says that they have a good team and want to put the best foot forward. Pant informs that Aiden Markram has gone back home for personal reasons, and Ayush Badoni replaces him. Mohammad Shami is also not playing, and Mohsin Khan comes into the team.

The captain of the Rajasthan Royals - Yashasvi Jaiswal says that it's a good wicket and feels that there will be some dew later on as well. On leading the franchise, he says, it is always a proud occasion. On Riyan Parag's injury, Jaiswal mentions that it is a hamstring injury, but hopefully, he will be available for the next match. Informs that they have made three changes to the side with the likes of Sandeep Sharma and Lhuan-dre Pretorius coming in. Further mentions that they need to up their fielding and ends by informing that Jaddu bhai (Ravidra Jadeja) is still recovering.

TOSS - All set for the coin to go up. 'Heads' is the call from Rishabh Pant, but it has come down as a Tail. Rajasthan Royals opt to BOWL first.

Well, well, it is Yashasvi Jaiswal walking out for the toss instead of Riyan Parag. Does that mean Parag misses out entirely tonight, or will he play as an Impact Sub? We shall have our answer soon as the toss is moments away.

Words from the LSG camp - Nicholas Pooran says that it's been a tough season for them. Adds that they have tried many different things in the hope of getting better, but it hasn't worked out for them initially. Mentions that every good franchise tries different things to get that end result but it's unfortunate for them that they found themselves in a position where they continuously had to repel and will have to wait till next year. Pooran shares that he didn't have a great start to the season and accepts all the criticism that came with it. Says that that's how it goes for batters and bowlers, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but when you are in that position, you have to believe in yourself and trust your skills and game plan. He doesn't want to point a finger at any particular thing, but admits it has been a tough season. Nicky P further adds that it hasn't been that different, only playing franchise cricket. Says that he has played franchise cricket for a long time, along with international cricket. In the past 9 years, he has played over 160 games for West Indies, but unfortunately, he hasn't got the runs that he is accustomed to. Tells that his preparation doesn't change, whether it is Dubai, South Africa or here, but he is an accountable person and will admit that he hasn't been at his best, but will try to keep working hard and prove people wrong. Nicholas concludes by saying that they are playing for pride now. Since being knocked out, they have figured out what's working best for them and went back to a batting order which represents how they want to play going into the last couple of games and next season.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison is near the deck and mentions that temperatures have gone past 40 degrees Celsius in Jaipur. Informs that the match will be played on the centre wicket, with the square boundaries measuring 65 metres on either side and 76 metres straight down the ground. Morrison likes the look of the surface and expects plenty of runs, something Eoin Morgan agrees with as well. Morgan describes the pitch as flat as a pancake, adding that it is rock hard with the grass rolled into the wicket and no live grass left on the surface. Eoin mentions that only one game has previously been played on this pitch this season, when Rajasthan Royals posted 228, only for Sunrisers Hyderabad to chase it down with 9 balls to spare. Morgan reckons chasing could once again be the preferred option tonight.

A quick chat with the Kiwi speedster - RR's Adam Milne says that they will take one game at a time, and hopefully, they are in a good position to qualify after the game. Mentions that they haven't played their best cricket in the latter half of the tournament and will look to pick up a couple of wins and get into the playoffs. On the frustration of lack of game time, Milne says that there are so many quality players throughout all the teams, and you just need to be ready when the chance comes. Feels that they won't change the style of play, as it is best suited to them and will try to give their best.

Nothing to lose, plenty to ruin - Standing across the rope tonight are the Super Giants, a side with nothing to lose but still plenty to play for in terms of pride. Lucknow could easily have drifted through the final stretch of the season, but recent performances suggest otherwise, with two wins from their last three matches. They face RR tonight before taking on the Punjab Kings later in the week, who themselves have been sliding at the wrong stage of the season. LSG are not just spoilers in theory but have both the tools and the momentum to make a serious impact on the playoff race. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Royals need revival - Out of the five sides still fighting for the final playoff berth, Rajasthan are the only team with qualification entirely in their own hands. Win the remaining two games, and they are through. The equation could not be any simpler. The concern, though, is form. RR have won just 2 out of their last 8 games and come into tonight on the back of three consecutive defeats. Even home has not been the advantage it once was. Rajasthan have won only 1 of their last 8 matches in Jaipur and are still searching for their first win here this season.

Tuesday night in the Pink City - Hello, one and all, and welcome to Jaipur. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium is the venue, and there is a real sense of occasion in the air this evening. The Rajasthan Royals and the Lucknow Super Giants are all set to lock horns. Two sides with very different stories heading into this fixture, and plenty is riding on the outcome.

... MATCH DAY ...

One last dance in Jaipur - Game 64 takes us to Jaipur for one final time this season as the Rajasthan Royals square off against the Lucknow Super Giants. The Royals are still searching for their first win in Jaipur this year, having lost all three of their previous games at the venue. If there was ever a time to break that streak, it is now. As for the Super Giants, they have nothing to lose and would love to derail Rajasthan's playoff push. Masters of their own fate - CSK's defeat to SRH means that Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans have joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the playoffs. What that result has also done is keep Rajasthan's fate in their own hands. Win both their remaining games, and they will qualify without having to worry about results elsewhere. Batting unit under the spotlight - Yashasvi Jaiswal is enduring a relatively quiet season by his standards, with just 1 fifty in his last 9 innings. His young opening partner, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has more often than not provided brisk starts and set the tone for the innings. Dhruv Jurel's strike rate has been a talking point this season, while Riyan Parag comes into this game on the back of consecutive fifties. Further down the order, Donovan Ferreira has also made his presence felt with a few impactful cameos. From dominance to decline - In the first half of the season, the new-ball pairing of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger proved too hot to handle for opposition batters. Their impact has tapered off significantly since then, to the extent that Burger has now been left out of the side. Archer, meanwhile, has had his untidy moments with the ball but has still more or less held his own and continues to lead the wicket-taking charts for the Royals. Another season of frustration - It has turned out to be another disappointing season for the Lucknow Super Giants. After making the playoffs in each of their first two seasons, they have now failed to qualify for the third season in a row. With two games left, against the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings, both of whom remain in the playoff mix, LSG will now look to play spoilers and finish the season on a high. LSG strike gold up top - After a constant shuffle at the top of the order, Lucknow finally seem to have stumbled upon the right opening combination with the arrival of Josh Inglis. Alongside Mitchell Marsh, the pair has struck at 191.42 and already put together stands of 77 and 135 in just three innings, giving LSG the kind of starts they had been searching for all season. Let down by their mainstays - Mitchell Marsh has done much of the heavy lifting with the bat, while the likes of Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and skipper Rishabh Pant have not delivered the kind of impact expected from players of their calibre. That has been one of the major reasons behind LSG finding themselves in this position. Positives amid the disappointment - One of the positives to emerge from what has been a disappointing campaign for LSG has been the performances of their young Indian pacers. Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan have both impressed on the big stage, while Akash Singh also caught the eye in his first appearance of the season in the previous game. While Mohsin has had to battle niggles, which has forced him in and out of the side, Prince has been the standout performer, picking up 16 wickets in 12 matches. Form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - RR - LLLWL | LSG - WLWLL. Another run fest? The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has been a high-scoring venue this season, with the average first-innings total standing at 227. Given the way the surfaces have played so far here, the bowlers could once again find themselves under the pump. With the playoff race entering its final stretch, Rajasthan cannot afford another stumble, while Lucknow will be eager to spoil the party. An intriguing contest awaits in Jaipur.