🏏IPL 2025, M 36: RR vs LSG, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. 7.30PM🏏

🏏IPL 2025, Match 36: RR vs LSG, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. 7.30PM🏏

It has been a season of more lows than highs so far, for the Rajasthan Royals, which has seen them accumulate only four points from the seven games they have played. Coming off a defeat in a Super Over against the Delhi Capitals in their last outing, which arguably shouldn't have gone that far, hasn't helped their fortunes as an uphill task awaits them for the rest of this season's IPL.

Multiple batting order changes and poor death bowling have been the story of Royals season so far. Riyan Parag has been a shadow of himself following his 573-run season last year. But the bright spark for them has been Yashasvi Jaiswal who has slowly appeared to find his mojo following two successive fifties in the last two games.

Unfortunately, for the Royals their bowling hasn't covered themselves in glory either. Barring Jofra Archer who has picked up five wickets in the PowerPlay, the rest of their bowlers have struggled in this phase with only two wickets combined.

The bowling unit have also conceded the most number of runs by through extras so far amongst all teams worth 83 runs. It remains to be said that the Royals were accurate with the ball against the Capitals until the 15th over when their death bowling let them down again.

The Royals have conceded at 12.3 runs an over this year at the death and would look to address these concerns on a bigger ground in Jaipur.

Lucknow Super Giants, have been a surprise package this season. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran have arguably been the standout batters in the tournament so far while Rishabh Pant's timely half-century against CSK only augurs well for the franchise. LSG have been slightly behind the eight-ball with the pacers but will be buoyed by their spinners, especially Digvesh Singh Rathi who has nine wickets so far this season.

With the tournament nearing its halfway stage both teams will be eyeing the two points as the race for the playoffs begins to slowly take shape.

When: Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants, Match 36, IPL 2025, April 19, 19:30 IST

Where: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Team News:

Rajasthan Royals

Tactics and match-ups: How to stop Nicholas Pooran is the question on many a team's mind in this season. And Rajasthan might have a card to play here. Jofra Archer has the wood over Pooran in T20s, dismissing him thrice in 36 balls, conceding just 39 runs. If it comes to that, this match-up could be a good contest.

Injury & Availability: Sanju Samson hurt his side while trying to play a cut shot in the Royals last outing against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday (April 16) which forced the Royals captain to walk off 'retired hurt'. He mentioned in the post-match interview that he feels alright but the exact extent of the injury remains to be unknown.

Tactics & Matchups: - to be added

Probable XII: Sanju Samson (c and wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande/ Akash Madhwal, Sandeep Sharma

Lucknow Super Giants

Injury & Availability: Fast-bowling prodigy Mayank Yadav has joined the Super Giants camp but whether he obtains clearance to play against the Royals remains to be seen

Tactics & Matchups: In four out of six innings this season, Riyan Parag has been dismissed by pace. Lucknow would have an eye on this stat when Parag comes out to bat, even though his strike-rate against pace has gone up since the previous season.

Probable XII: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c and wk), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav/ Akash Deep, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi

Pitch report for RR vs LSG IPL 2025

In the last match held at this venue, Rajasthan Royals posted a total of 173/4, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased it down comfortably in under 18 overs with just one wicket lost. With only five wickets falling in th e entire match, it was evident that the bowlers found it difficult to make an impact.

Although the upcoming fixture may not produce an exceptionally high score, bowlers might still face challenges in picking up wickets. The ground's dimensions could limit the batters' ability to clear the boundary with ease, offering bowlers a chance to exploit those conditions and apply pressure.

What to expect: It is expected to be another hot day in Jaipur with maximum temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius with no chance of any rain. The pitch played slightly slower in the first innings in the first game at this venue which was a day game and therefore, expect the side winning the toss to take the field first.

Head to Head: RR 4-1 LSG. LSG's sole victory against the Royals came at the same ground back in 2023.

VENUE – SAWAI MANSIGH STADIUM, JAIPUR (IN IPL SINCE 2023)

• Matches - 11, Bat 1st Won – 5, Bat 2nd Won – 6

• Avg 1st Inns score – 179/5 (Run Rate –8.95)

• Lowest Total Defended – 154, Highest Target Chased – 215

• 200+ Totals: 3 times in 11 matches | Sixes Per Match - 14

• Pace: Overs% - 57, Wkts – 59, Avg – 37.1, Eco – 9.2, SR – 24.3

Spin: Overs% - 43, Wkts – 43, Avg – 35.6, Eco – 8.6, SR – 25.0

• Winning Score at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur (in IPL since 2023)

◦ 1st Inns score 180 or above: Mts – 6, Bat 1st Won – 3 Bat 2nd won – 3

◦ 1st Inns score less than 180: Mts – 5, Bat 1st Won – 2, Bat 2nd Won – 3

• Overall team record:

◦ RR: Mts – 58, Won – 37, Lost – 21 (Win % - 64)

◦ LSG: Mts – 2, Won – 1, Lost – 1 (Win % - 50)

Recent match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium

The recent match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium saw the hosts face a 9-wicket defeat by the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the night with Virat Kohli starring with the bat for the visitors.

RR come into this game on the back of three losses on the trot. Their most-recent game went right down to the wire, and the Super Over loss to Delhi Capitals would have certainly been a tough pill to swallow. Sanju Samson and his men would be keen to stage a comeback.

As far as LSG are concerned, they were in fine nick after winning three games in a row. They looked on track to make it four in four against Chennai Super Kings. However, they lost the plot during crucial junctures of the match.

In 58 IPL games at the venue so far, 20 matches won by teams batting first while 37 have been clinched by the team chasing. Winning the toss and opting to bowl would be the ideal choice.

RR vs LSG Probable Best Performers ---Probable Best Batter: Nicholas Pooran

Pooran suffered a rare lapse in LSG's previous clash. Apart from that, the southpaw has been in stunning form so far. He has four half-centuries at a stunning rate this season and more of the same could be expected from him.

Probable Best Bowler: Wanindu Hasaranga

Other than the 4 for 35 Hasaranga secured against CSK in RR's second game of the season, he has not been in the best of wicket-taking form. However, he is expected to good in the upcoming fixture.

Did you know?

- In twelve T20 innings in 2025, Sanju Samson averages only 25.00 with just one fifty against his name

- Nicholas Pooran's strke-rate of 272 against spin is the best by any batter in the history of the IPL (for those who have faced more than 50 balls of spin)

Team bowling first to win the match

Scenario 1

• RR win the toss and opt to bowl.
• Powerplay: 50-60
• LSG: 190-210
• RR win the match.

Scenario 2

• LSG win the toss and opt to bowl.
• Powerplay: 45-55
• RR: 185-205
• LSG win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

50 Matches For LSG

Been with the franchise since its inaugural season, batter Ayush Badoni will become only the second player after spinner Ravi Bishnoi to play 50 matches for LSG. Notably, he is at the fifth position in the list of most runs, fourth in terms of strike rate (min. 500 balls) and third as far as most catches are concerned.

9,000 Runs In T20s

Lucknow wicket-keeper batter Nicholas Pooran is one run short of completing 9,000 runs in T20 cricket. Across 365 innings, the left-handed batter has scored 8,999 runs at an average of 29.50 and a strike rate of 150.15 with the help of three centuries and 55 half-centuries.

100 Fours In IPL

LSG opening batter Aiden Markram needs to hit six fours to complete 100 fours in the IPL. Currently into his fifth season, the right-handed batter has hit 94 fours and 44 sixes across 49 innings for three franchises.