Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) snatched a dramatic 2-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a thrilling IPL 2025 clash riding on Avesh Khan's last-over heroics at the Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur on April 19.
Avesh Khan was tasked with defending nine runs while in 181-run chase, which he comprehensively did by conceding just six runs. Avesh Khan was the real match hero for LSG as he bowled a sensational spell of 3/37.
RR will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on April 24, while LSG will lock horns with Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 22 at the Ekana cricket stadium.
Avesh Khan emerged as an unexpected hero for the Lucknow Super Giants, delivering two outstanding overs during the crucial final stages of the match.
RR currently occupy the eighth position in the league standings with two wins and six losses, while LSG are positioned higher at fourth place with five wins and three losses.
Incredible Start by Youngsters
During their chase of the 181-run target, RR got off to a promising start, courtesy of their opening pair Yashasvi Jaiswal (74) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (34). Notably, Suryavanshi started his IPL journey in spectacular fashion, launching the very first ball he faced for a towering six over the covers.
Suryavanshi continued his aggressive approach against Avesh Khan, while Jaiswal took the attack to Shardul Thakur and Aiden Markram, dispatching them for some audacious sixes. The Rajasthan Royals reached their 50-run mark swiftly, in just 4.3 overs. By the end of the initial six overs, RR had progressed to 61 without losing any wickets, with both Jaiswal and Suryavanshi remaining unbeaten.
Spin Bowling Neutralised
The opening duo handled the spin bowling of Ravi Bishnoi and Digvesh Rathi effectively. However, the part-time spin of Aiden Markram eventually brought about the breakthrough, dismissing Suryavanshi after he had scored a brisk 34 runs off 20 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes. At this point, Rajasthan Royals were 85 for the loss of one wicket in 8.4 overs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his impressive form, reaching his fourth half-century of the season in just 31 balls, his innings comprising three fours and three sixes. On the final delivery of the 10th over, Nitish Rana was dismissed by Shardul Thakur for eight runs off seven balls, leaving Rajasthan Royals at 94 for two wickets at the halfway stage of their innings. A powerful six by the stand-in captain Riyan Parag over deep backward square leg then took the Rajasthan Royals to the 100-run mark in 11.1 overs.
The Climax
With Rajasthan needing 25 runs from the last three overs and their well-set batsmen, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, at the crease, they remarkably faltered against Avesh's exceptional bowling.
In the crucial 18th over, Avesh single-handedly turned the tide by dismissing both Jaiswal and Parag while conceding a mere 5 runs. Subsequently, tasked with defending just 9 runs in the final over, Avesh showcased his mastery of yorkers, guiding his team to a thrilling 2-run victory. His final bowling figures of 4 overs, 0 maidens, 37 runs, and 3 wickets arguably do not fully reflect the immense pressure he absorbed and the brilliance he displayed in those critical moments.
Adding to the complexity of his task, Avesh not only had to bowl to established batsmen with a minimal run cushion but also had to contend with a late ball change in the final over. The umpires deemed the original ball unfit during the last six deliveries of the match. Given that the ball was exhibiting reverse swing at that juncture, the Lucknow Super Giants' players visibly expressed their disappointment at the change. However, Avesh Khan remained unfazed, displaying remarkable resilience to complete a sensational defensive effort and ensure that LSG secured another hard-fought victory in what has been a season of close encounters for them.
Royals succumbed under pressure
Earlier, aided by Aiden Markram and Ayush Badoni's brilliant fifties, LSG managed to post a challenging total of 180 runs for the loss of five wickets against RR.
Markram, the opening batsman from South Africa, anchored the LSG innings with a smooth knock of 66 runs, compiled from 45 deliveries and featuring five boundaries and three sixes. He found reliable support in Ayush Badoni, who contributed a composed 50 runs off 34 balls. Their partnership of 76 runs for the fourth wicket proved crucial in rebuilding the innings after LSG had lost the wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran early in the powerplay overs. In the final stages of the innings, Abdul Samad provided a dynamic flourish, scoring an unbeaten 30 runs off a mere 10 balls. His aggressive cameo included four towering sixes, which significantly boosted the Lucknow Super Giants' total and propelled them to a fighting score. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for RR with 2/31.