The Rajasthan Royals are now one step closer to the IPL 2022 playoffs after securing a 24-run victory against the Lucknow Super Giants at Brabourne Stadium. This result leaves both teams tied at 16 points after 13 matches, with just one more win needed for either side to officially qualify. RR's bowlers put on a masterclass to defend their total, limiting LSG to 154/8. Trent Boult was the star of the bowling effort, taking 2 wickets for only 18 runs.
Rajasthan Royals closes in on IPL 2022 playoffs berth after beating Lucknow Super Giants by 24 runs at the Brabourne Stadium. Both RR and LSG are now tied on 16 points from 13 matches and need another win to confirm their playoff spot. Chasing a target of 179, RR restricted LSG to 154/8 with a sublime bowling display. Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for RR with figures of 2/18.
Choosing to bat first didn't start well for RR, as Avesh Khan dealt a blow by dismissing the key batsman Jos Butler for only 2. The recovery came through a solid 64-run stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson, before Samson fell to Jason Holder for 32. Jaiswal played an attacking innings of 41, consistently finding the boundary and putting the LSG bowlers under pressure.
Devdutt Padikkal provided a vital spark with a quick 39 runs to maintain the team's momentum. A handy 17-run contribution from Boult helped RR reach a defendable score of 178/6 by the end of their 20 overs. On the other side, Ravi Bishnoi performed well for LSG, taking 2/31 across his four overs.
Lucknow's response started in the worst possible way; Boult struck twice in a row, dismissing Quinton de Kock for 7 and Ayush Badoni for a duck. The situation worsened for LSG when their captain KL Rahul was sent back for just 10 runs by Prasidh Krishna.
Deepak Hooda fought back with a gritty 59, supported by Krunal Pandya's 25, as the pair shared a 65-run partnership. Despite this, the RR bowlers remained disciplined and continued to take wickets at regular intervals to stifle the chase. Both Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy ended the match with two wickets each.