The first innings total for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in Match 26 of the ongoing IPL 2023 was 154 runs. Notably, RR veteran Ravichandran Ashwin two-wicket over aided the host team in preventing the opposition from scoring quickly.
The opening pairing of KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers gave the away team a respectable head start. Despite scoring 82 runs for the first wicket, LSG’s batting unit struggled with frequent dismissals, which prevented them from amassing a sizable total.
Notably, Kyle Mayers scored a fifty off forty balls and was about to switch tactics to assist his team in scoring the required runs. Similarly, Deepak Hooda, who was participating in his 100th IPL match, needed to end his dry spell and score heavily in the match.
Ravichandran Ashwin, however had Hooda caught by Hetmyer at deep square leg for just two runs on the second delivery of the fourteenth over.
The veteran offie struck twice in the same over, claiming the crucial wicket of Mayers with a length delivery that found the middle and off stumps. Mayers was dismissed for 51 runs off 42 deliveries, including three sixes and four fours.
RR seeks a fifth IPL title in 2023
With a target of 155 runs, the opening duo of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal will attempt to provide a solid foundation for the remainder of the team. However, it remains to be seen if LSG can secure early breakthroughs to maintain pressure on the Royals.
Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, met LSG on the heels of four consecutive victories in the premier division. Playing their first game of the season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the team will attempt to earn two more points at home and maintain their position atop the standings.
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