IPL 2022: Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by 3 runs

Rajasthan Royals proved that their defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore last week was just a blip in what has otherwise been a terrific start to their IPL 2022 campaign. Sanju Samson's men outclassed Lucknow Super Giants by 3 runs in a last-over thriller, ending a 3-match winning run for KL Rahul's side.

As many as 5 teams are tied on 6 points after 4 matches each but the Royals moved from No. 5 to No. 1 due to a superior Net Run Rate.

Rajasthan Royals proved they can notch up points even if their star batters Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson have off-days as they rode on a team effort to outclass Lucknow.

Riding on a stunning counter-attacking blitz from Shimron Hetmyer and Yuzvendra Chahal's 4-wicket haul, Rajasthan Royals came up with a tactical masterclass to outshine the Lucknow franchise.

Chahal became only the 6th bowler to complete 150 wickets in



the IPL as the leg-spinner continued to impress for his new franchise.

After Trent Boult gave Rajasthan the best possible start with the ball to dismiss captain KL Rahul (first-ball 0) and Krishnappa Gowtham (0), Prasidh Krishna removed Jason Holder who was sent in at No. 4.

However, Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda stitched a 48-run stand even as the asking rate shot up. Young Kuldeep Sen got the breakthrough, sending back Hooda after which Ayush Badoni failed.

Krunal Pandya hit a quickfire 22 but Yuzvendra Chahal removed the left-hander and de Kock in the same over, pegging back Lucknow.

However, Marcus Stoinis, playing his first game for Lucknow, went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 38 from just 17 balls but he was not able to get Lucknow past the finish line as Kuldeep repaid the trust shown in him by the Royals, defending 15 runs in the final over.