Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals moved a step closer to the IPL play-offs after defeating Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in a crucial league match here on Tuesday.
Bengaluru, Gujarat and Hyderabad have already qualified for the play-offs, while Punjab, Rajasthan and the mathematically alive Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata were locked in a fierce race for the fourth spot. Rajasthan significantly improved their chances with this victory and also overtook Punjab in the points table, pushing Punjab out of the top four for the first time this season.
After Lucknow posted 220 for five, Rajasthan chased down the target with ease, scoring 225 for three in 19.1 overs. Fifteen-year-old opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi completely dismantled the Lucknow attack with a sensational 93 off just 38 balls, smashing ten sixes and seven fours. Remarkably, 88 of his 93 runs came through boundaries. He narrowly missed out on his second century of the tournament and was seen in tears after getting out.
Vaibhav first shared a 75-run opening stand with stand-in captain Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made 43 off 23 balls, and later added 105 runs for the second wicket with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who remained unbeaten on 53 from 38 deliveries with three sixes and three fours. Those two partnerships never allowed Lucknow to regain control of the match. Ferreira stayed unbeaten on 16 alongside Jurel. Akash Singh and Mohsin Khan picked up one wicket each for Lucknow.
Marsh Misses Another Century
Earlier, Lucknow scored 220 for five in their 20 overs. Opener Mitchell Marsh narrowly missed a century for the second consecutive match, scoring 96 off 57 balls with five sixes and eleven fours. He was run out by a direct throw from Rajasthan’s stand-in skipper Jaiswal.
Had Marsh not slowed down during the latter stages of his innings, he might have registered his second century of the season and taken Lucknow to an even bigger total. On May 15 against Chennai, Marsh had also been run out after scoring 90.
Punjha Claims Two Wickets
Before Marsh’s dismissal, Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant lost his wicket in a run-out caused by a misunderstanding with Marsh. Earlier, Marsh and fellow opener Josh Inglis had added 109 runs in just 50 balls. Inglis scored 60 off 29 deliveries with three sixes and seven fours.
New batter Ayush Badoni was dismissed off the final ball of the innings. Rajasthan leg-spinner Yashraj Punjha claimed two wickets, while Jofra Archer took one.
Today’s Match
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders
At Eden Gardens, 7.30 pm.
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