LSG VS RR MATCH 44

Right then, that is it from this encounter where the league leaders continue their winning momentum. We have another double-header lined up in the Indian T20 League on 28th April, Sunday. First, it will be Gujarat taking on Bengaluru at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). Then Chennai will seek revenge against Hyderabad and that will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to both matches. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Sanju Samson, the victorious skipper of Rajasthan is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock. He says that there was help for the new ball but later on it became good to bat on. Credits his bowlers for the way they bowled in the death overs and they know their responsibilities. Tells that batting at number 5 is a tough job but Dhruv Jurel is an excellent player and form is temporary. Mentions that mistakes are bound to happen in this format but the results are going their way and they want to stick to their plans.

KL Rahul, the captain of Lucknow says they left about 20 runs behind and didn't get off to a promising start. Adds him and Deepak Hooda then stitched a good partnership and says that they were in a good position in the mid-overs and reckons that they should've got 20 more on the board. Adds that the team that hits more sixes surely gets ahead in the game. Adds it is improtant to give extra cushion to the batters. Says the players love to practice range-hitting in the nets and Stoinis and Pooran are effortless to execute those big shots. Appreciates Amit Mishra and says he's an experienced campaigner and he felt he could be useful. Adds that the idea was to use Ravi Bishnoi in the latter half of the innings but that plan didn't work out for them and reckons that he was a bit late to bring him into the attack.

Presentation Time...

Dhruv Jurel, one of the architects for this win says that he intended to finish the game and he backed his shots. He says Sanju Samson calmed him down when he was struggling to time the ball initially and that helped him a lot. On being asked about the salute celebration after half-century, he says he dedicates his milestones to his father who is in the army and his father was present to watch him play today. Ends up by saying that he is very proud to do it in front of him.

Earlier in the game, Lucknow posted a big total on the board courtesy of a couple of fine fifties from the skipper KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda. Ayush Badoni and Krunal Pandya also contributed well towards the end. Sandeep Sharma picked up a couple of wickets for Rajasthan while Trent Boult, Avesh Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with one each. While chasing it was a masterclass from Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel as they keep their unbeaten away streak intact.

Lucknow, on the other hand, couldn't execute their plans in the Powerplay but Yash Thakur managed get the huge wicket of Jos Buttler. Then Marcus Stoinis and Amit Mishra followed up with two big wickets but they just couldn't contain their opponents in the middle overs. The fielding was sloppy as well and they couldn't grab the chances that came their way which turned out to be the difference in the end.

Rajasthan knew that they needed to utilise the Powerplay as there was not much dew on the ground. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler made sure they take advantage in the initial overs and stitched up a good 60-run partnership but unfortunately lost Buttler just at the end of the Powerplay. They suffered a mini collapse as they lost three quick wickets and put themselves under pressure. Skipper Sanju Samson took the responsibility upon himself and steadied things along with Dhruv Jurel who was promoted up the order which worked like a treat for them. The duo added an unbeaten 121 runs with both of them scoring brilliant fifties and getting their side over the line with one over to spare.

RAJASTHAN KEEPS ON WINNING! They extend their unbeaten run to four games and maintain the top spot in the league. It was yet another clinical performance from the visitors. Lucknow will be disappointed as they could have done a lot better while defending this total but it wasn't meant to be for them.

SIX! The skipper finishes off in style and Rajasthan win by 7 wickets! A low full toss on the stumps, Sanju Samson moves across bending low before ramping it over deep fine leg for a maximum to register their eighth victory of this season. A comprehensive win for the team in pink. They have truly dominated this season. Sanju Samson is pumped and rightly so. He remains unbeaten on 71 off just 33 deliveries.

FOUR! As easy as it gets! Predictable short-pitched delivery on the off stump line, Sanju Samson has enough time to pull it well over mid-wicket for a boundary. Just four runs needed to win.

A knee-length full toss on the middle, Dhruv Jurel swipes across the line and works it towards deep square leg for a single.

Pace-off, outside off on a hard length, Dhruv Jurel flat-bats it straight toward mid-wicket.

Nails a perfect yorker on off, Sanju Samson digs it out toward deep third for a single.

Short, slow and on the body, Jurel pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Oh, goodness me! Length ball, on off and middle, Sanju Samson is deep inside the crease and picks it up over deep backward square leg and clears the ropes with ease.

Dhruv Jurel accompanies his skipper with a fifty! A well-deserved one! Low full toss again, on off, Jurel leans and drives it to covers for a single. His maiden Fifty in the Indian T20 League.

Low full toss on middle, Sanju Samson flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.