JAIPUR, India (AP) — Sanju Samson scored 82 not out off 52 balls as Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs on Sunday to make a winning start in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Samson’s half-century helped anchor the Royals’ innings, as the team reached 193-4 in 20 overs.
In reply, Nicholas Pooran’s 64 not out went in vain as Lucknow failed in its chase to end up with 173-6 (20 overs). Skipper Lokesh Rahul also scored 58 off 44 balls.
Opting to bat, Rajasthan made a speedy start but also lost its openers early. The explosive Jos Buttler was caught behind for 11.
Rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal made a quick fire 24 off 12 balls, including three fours and a six, before chipping a catch straight to mid on.
With the score at 49-2 in five overs, Samson came together with Riyan Parag, who was promoted to No. 4 after showing good domestic form, and he paid off.
The duo added 93 off 59 balls for the third wicket, with Parag scoring 43 off 29 balls. He hits three sixes to provide a launch pad for Samson at the other end.
Samson scored 50 off 30 balls, including two fours and four sixes. He hit another two sixes, adding another 32 runs off the last 22 balls he faced.
Afghanistan pacer Naveen ul Haq picked up 2-41 in four overs, including Parag who was out caught in the 15th over.
While Shimron Hetmyer was out cheaply to Ravi Bishnoi’s wrist spin, Dhruv Jurel provided the finishing flourish scoring 20 not out off 12 balls.
Samson and Jurel added 43 off 22 balls as the Royals finished strongly.
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult (2-35) then provided two early breakthroughs as Lucknow was down to 11-3 in 3.1 overs.
Quinton de Kock was out caught for four, while Devdutt Padikkal – who had transferred from Rajasthan to Lucknow in the winter window – was bowled for a three-ball duck.
Impact substitute Nandre Burger had Ayush Badoni caught behind for just one as the Super Giants struggled to get going.
Rahul and Deepak Hooda resisted with a 49-run partnership off 26 balls for the fourth wicket.
Just when things appeared to look settled, wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Hooda who had come in as an impact sub. He scored 26 off 13 balls.
Pooran and Rahul then came together, adding 85 off 52 balls for the fifth wicket, and their partnership put Lucknow back on track.
Rahul scored 50 off 35 balls, while Pooran got to 50 off 30 balls, as the chase looked on with 49 runs needed off the last four overs.
The skipper was out caught immediately after the timeout break, puncturing Lucknow’s momentum.
Ravichandran Ashwin sent back big hitting Marcus Stoinis for just three. With 38 runs needed off the last two overs, Pooran couldn’t finish things off for Lucknow. He finished unbeaten, hitting four sixes and four fours in all.
Sandeep Sharma bowled immaculately at the death, finishing with 1-22 in three overs.
Gujarat Titans host Mumbai Indians in the second game of the day.
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