RR Chase Down 190 Against LSG Thanks to Samson’s Heroics
Lucknow, April 28, 2024: Sanju Samson played a captain’s knock of 60 not out off 30 balls to lead Rajasthan Royals (RR) to a thrilling 7-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an IPL 2024 match at the Ekana Stadium. Chasing a daunting 190, RR were in trouble at 78/3 in the 9th over after Jos Buttler’s dismissal for 34. But Samson combined with Dhruv Jurel (50 off 31 balls) for an 84-run fourth wicket stand to bring RR back into the chase.
Samson took the attack to the LSG bowlers, hitting 3 sixes and 5 fours in his blistering knock. He finished off the chase in style by smashing Yash Thakur for a six over fine leg with 7 balls to spare. RR reached 190/3 in 18.5 overs.
Earlier, after being put into bat, LSG rode on opener Quinton de Kock’s 52 off 35 balls to post 189/5. Marcus Stoinis chipped in with a fiery 16-ball 41. For RR, Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma took two wickets each.
Despite Krunal Pandya’s economical spell of 4-0-24-0, LSG looked set for a big total before RR pulled things back well at the death. But Samson’s pyrotechnics in the chase stole the show as RR registered their 9th win in 10 games to virtually seal a playoff spot.
Samson was declared Player of the Match for his match-winning innings that underlined his strong claims for a place in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
First Innings: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Powerplay (0-6 overs): In the initial overs, LSG got off to a robust start despite losing an early wicket. The powerplay was marked by aggressive batting, particularly from the opener who scored quickly but fell just before the powerplay ended. LSG managed to put 60 runs on the board in the powerplay, setting a strong foundation for a big total.
- Middle Overs (7-15 overs): The middle phase saw a slight dip in momentum due to tight bowling from Rajasthan Royals (RR). LSG batsmen struggled to find the boundaries as frequently, and a couple of wickets in quick succession slowed down the run rate. However, some strategic hitting and smart running between the wickets helped LSG add crucial runs during this period.
- Death Overs (16-20 overs): The death overs were crucial for LSG to post a competitive total. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, some powerful hitting in the last few overs, including a couple of big sixes, pushed LSG’s score to a challenging one. The RR bowlers managed to restrict some damage but still conceded over 50 runs in the final 5 overs.
Second Innings: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Powerplay (0-6 overs): RR had a fiery start to their chase. Openers took the attack to the LSG bowlers, smashing boundaries regularly. They were particularly harsh on anything pitched short or straying onto the pads. The highlight was a series of boundaries that helped RR race to 60 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
- Middle Overs (7-15 overs): Post powerplay, RR maintained the momentum with smart cricket. Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson built a vital partnership, mixing caution with aggression. They tackled the spinners well, finding gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking. The partnership set the stage for a thrilling finish, despite a couple of hiccups in the form of quick wickets.
- Death Overs (16-20 overs): The death overs began with RR needing more than 10 runs per over. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel stepped up, hammering the bowlers all around the park. Samson, in particular, was in explosive form, hitting crucial boundaries and sixes, including a magnificent six to seal the victory. RR won the match by 7 wickets with balls to spare, showcasing exceptional batting prowess in the clutch moments.
Key Performances and Highlights:
- Sanju Samson’s Captain’s Knock: Samson played a captain’s innings, scoring a quickfire half-century. His ability to accelerate in the death overs was crucial for RR’s chase.
- Dhruv Jurel’s Supporting Role: Jurel played a crucial knock, supporting his captain and ensuring the run rate didn’t dip. His fifty added to the team’s solid batting performance.
- Bowling Efforts: While the bowlers from both sides had a tough day, there were periods where they managed to pull things back. Strategic field placements and variations in pace were noticeable.
- Fielding Efforts: There were a few brilliant catches and some misfields, which added to the drama of the match. A couple of dropped catches by LSG in the middle overs might have cost them dearly.