Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag’s fearless fightback wasn’t enough as Avesh Khan’s last-over brilliance powers Lucknow Super Giants to a heart-stopping win against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
Jaipur, April 20: In a nail-biting encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Avesh Khan held his nerve in the final over to help Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) edge past Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 2 runs, defending a stiff 181-run target despite explosive efforts from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and stand-in skipper Riyan Parag.
💥 Final Over Heroics: Avesh Seals It for LSG
With RR needing 9 runs off the final over and two set batters at the crease, the momentum was in the hosts’ favor. But Avesh produced a clutch over, giving away just six runs and picking the key wicket of Shimron Hetmyer, who threatened to take it away.
“Ice in his veins!” LSG fans hailed online as Avesh finished with figures of 3/37, including the dismissals of Jaiswal, Parag, and Hetmyer.
🔥 RR’s Blazing Start: Jaiswal-Suryavanshi Attack LSG Early
Chasing 181, RR flew off the blocks, thanks to an aggressive opening stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 50-run mark came up in just 4.3 overs, with the debutant smashing a six off the first ball he faced in IPL.
Jaiswal was in sublime touch, racing to his fourth fifty of the season in just 31 balls. He added 74 off 52 balls, while Suryavanshi impressed with a quick 34 off 20 before being undone by part-timer Aiden Markram.
🏏 RR’s Middle Order Falls Short Despite Fight
Jaiswal and Riyan Parag built a 62-run partnership that kept RR on track. Parag played a responsible hand with 39 off 26 balls, hitting crucial boundaries to maintain the run rate. However, Avesh Khan turned the game in the 18th over, removing both Jaiswal and Parag to shift the momentum.
Despite a few late hits by Hetmyer, the equation came down to 9 off the last over—and Avesh ensured it was too much.
RR eventually finished at 178/5, falling agonizingly short.
🧨 Earlier: Markram, Badoni, and Samad Power LSG to 180/5
Put into bat, LSG posted a competitive 180/5, riding on powerful knocks from Aiden Markram (66 off 41), Ayush Badoni (51 off 34), and a blazing finish by *Abdul Samad (30 off 10)**, who smashed four sixes in the final over.
Markram and Badoni’s 76-run partnership revived LSG after early jolts, with Nicholas Pooran (11) and skipper Rishabh Pant (3) failing to fire.
Wanindu Hasaranga starred for RR with 2/28, putting a brake on LSG’s middle order before Samad’s fireworks ensured a defendable total.
📊 Points Table Update
- LSG: 4th place with 5 wins from 8 games
- RR: Slips to 8th with 2 wins from 8 matches
✅ Top Performers
- Avesh Khan – 3/37 and match-winning final over
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – 74 (52), steady and stylish
- Aiden Markram – 66 (41), key in LSG’s innings
- Ayush Badoni – 51 (34), composed and clutch
- Abdul Samad – 30* (10), explosive late boost
- Wanindu Hasaranga – 2/28, spin masterclass