IPL 2024, LSG vs RR, Key Takeaways: Sanju Samson (71), Dhruv Jurel (52) take Rajasthan Royals home against LSG. RR remain at top and move closer to playoffs. Top takeaways for Lucknow and Rajasthan from the match.
Brief Scores: LSG 196/5 (KL Rahul 76, Sandeep Sharma 2/31) lose to RR 199/3 (Sanju Samson 71 not out, Dhruv Jurel 52 not out, Marcus Stoinis 1/3) by 7 wickets.
Player Of The Match: Sanju Samson (71 in 33 balls)
Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson led from the front with a knock of 71 not out to help his team chase down a target of 197 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 44 at Lucknow in IPL 2024 on Saturday. Samson played a responsible knock, first anchoring the innings before finishing the chase with a few big hits to help his team win eight matches out of nine games and qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Key Takeaways from LSG vs RR, Match 44, IPL 2024 - Winning team (RR)
Is Rajasthan missing Nandre Burger?
Rajasthan started their IPL 2024 campaign with two overseas new-ball bowlers: Trent Boult of New Zealand and Nandre Burger of South Africa. The two had a brief success as a new-ball pair, but an injury to Burger forced Rajasthan to change their plans. Now, Sandeep Sharma, who, too, recovered from an injury, is bowling with Boult, and the Indian pacer has hit the grounds straightaway. However, the other pacer, Avesh Khan, has been inconsistent.
Although reports are yet not confirmed if Burger has recovered and is fit to play, it cannot be ruled out that Rajasthan are probably missing Burger to form a lethal pace bowling combination with Boult and Sandeep. A strong three-way pace unit can add more teeth to the Rajasthan pace bowling line-up. Also, Burger-Shimron Hetmyer playing as the substitute-impact player can help Rajasthan add more depth to their batting and bowling unit. If the South African pacer is used as an impact player, Rajasthan could even field all four pacers – Boult, Sandeep, Burger, Avesh - and also field two spinners in YS Chahal and R Ashwin.
Read More: IPL 2024, RR vs MI, Key Takeaways: Sandeep's fifer, Yashasvi's ton sideline MI; RR firm at no.1
Jurel finally comes good
Dhruv Jurel finally struck form, hitting his maiden IPL fifty when he scored 52 not out against Lucknow. Jurel put behind a series of low scores in IPL 2024 to crack a power-packed fifty with five 4s and two 6s in his 34-ball knock. He came into bat when Rajasthan were in a spot of bother at 78/3 and gave some breathing space to captain Samson by hitting boundaries and sixes and scoring runs quickly. He rallied well with Samson to stitch an unbeaten match-winning stand of 121 runs for the fourth wicket to spoil Lucknow’s party. This innings strengthened Rajasthan's middle order, giving them many options. It’s a promising sign not just for him but for the entire team.
Read More: IPL 2024: Buttler's 2 hundreds have come batting second; What makes him a gritty customer in chases?
Key Takeaways from LSG vs RR, Match 44, IPL 2024 - Losing team (LSG)
Hooda’s return among runs is a great positive, while KL continues to hold one end
Deepak Hooda has returned to form with a well-crafted 50 off 31 balls. He walked into the middle, with Lucknow in trouble at 2/11, and then stitched a stand of 115 runs for the third wicket with his captain KL Rahul. Hooda’s return to form stabilizes Lucknow’s middle order and adds depth to the batting line-up. Hooda has been in horrific form since the last IPL season. He managed just 84 runs in 12 games in IPL 2023 and scored 61 runs in 5 games in IPL 2024 until his fifty against Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul played the anchor role in perfecting this match. He held one end cheaply after losing two wickets, while Hooda took extra risks to collect runs quickly. Rahul’s stable presence at the other end allows Hooda and other batters to play more freely and score runs faster. Despite playing anchor, Rahul scored at a brisk pace as well, striking at 150 and above.
Statistical Highlights from LSG vs RR, IPL 2024
YS Chahal went wicketless for the first time in 9 matches in IPL 2024. Currently, he has 13 wickets in 9 games.
Deepak Hooda posted his first fifty in 6 games in the 2024 IPL. He last posted a fifty in the 2022 IPL.
Dhruv Jurel posted his maiden IPL fifty when he scored 52 not out against Lucknow.
With his knock of 71 not out, Sanju Samson has jumped to the second spot in the list of highest run-getters in IPL 2024. Currently, he has 385 runs @ 77 with 4 fifties in 9 games. Virat Kohli leads the chart with 430 runs @ 61.42 with 1 ton and 3 fifties in 9 games.
Points Table Scenario & What's Next
With this win, Rajasthan have qualified for the playoffs, having collected 16 points (8 wins out of 9 games). Lucknow are still placed fourth, with 10 points, having won five games out of nine. Lucknow will next play Mumbai on April 30, while Rajasthan will take on Hyderabad on May 2.
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