Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India]: In the upcoming IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), cricket fans can look forward to a thrilling battle between two key players: Nicholas Pooran and Jofra Archer. Pooran, the top run-scorer in the tournament so far, is in sensational form, while Archer, the English pacer, has started to find his rhythm after a slow beginning.
Rajasthan Royals have had a tough season so far, struggling due to an underperforming Indian core. With just two wins in seven matches, they will face Rishabh Pant-led LSG, who are placed fifth in the points table with four wins and three losses, accumulating eight points.
Archer, who had a disappointing outing earlier in the tournament with the most expensive IPL bowling returns in history (0/76 in four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad), has slowly regained his confidence. He has become a crucial wicket-taking option for RR, claiming seven wickets in seven matches at an average of 35.00, with best figures of 3/25. Archer’s recent form is promising, with solid performances in his last five outings, including:
- 2/32 against Delhi Capitals (DC)
- 0/36 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
- 1/30 against Gujarat Titans (GT)
- 3/25 against Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- 1/13 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Archer’s biggest challenge in the upcoming match will be containing the explosive Pooran, who currently holds the Orange Cap with 357 runs in seven matches at an average of 59.50 and a strike rate of over 208. Pooran has been in blistering form, with four half-centuries, including a best score of 87*.
However, Pooran does not have a strong record against Archer, having been dismissed three times in their seven encounters. Pooran has managed only 39 runs off 36 balls against Archer, at an average of 13.00 and a strike rate of just over 108.33, with only three fours and three sixes to his name in these matchups.
Squads:
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, David Miller, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Shamar Joseph, Manimaran Siddharth, Aryan Juyal, RS Hangargekar, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Akash Maharaj Singh, Mayank Yadav, Arshin Kulkarni.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (w/c), Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Kumar Kartikeya, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Kunal Singh Rathore, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.