LSG vs RR Highlights, IPL 2026: Jofra Archer pockets three wickets to help RR beat LSG by 40 runs

At the venue, two matches have been played so far and both have been relatively low-scoring, suggesting a challenging surface for batters. Rishabh Pant was seen in deep discussion with groundstaff and later chatting with Tom Moody near the pitch, hinting at strategic considerations.

Since 2025, pacers have dominated here, averaging 30 compared to spinners’ 46. Adding to the challenge, the region is under an extreme heat alert, with temperatures crossing 40°C during the day and lingering warmth impacting evening conditions as well.

Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other six times in the IPL so far, with Rajasthan holding the edge with four wins compared to Lucknow’s two. Over the past year, the contrast in form has been evident as well. LSG have struggled, winning just three of their 12 matches (25%), while RR have been far more consistent with six wins from 12 games (50%).

Individually, a few players have stood out in this period. Mitchell Marsh has been LSG’s leading run-scorer with 483 runs, while Prince Yadav has led their bowling charts with 13 wickets. For Rajasthan Royals, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been their batting mainstay with 475 runs, and Jofra Archer has spearheaded the bowling attack with 11 wickets.

Former Australian captain Allan Border is currently in Mumbai as part of his India visit linked to the International Masters League, and the trip has also brought back memories of one of the defining milestones of his career. Border, who famously led Australia to the 1987 Cricket World Cup title, looked back at his journey but also turned his attention to a rising name in Indian cricket.

Speaking in an interaction with Mid-day, Border was asked about Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who at just 14 has already made a strong impression with his fearless hitting and raw power.

“I think Vaibhav's one hell of a player, a great talent. I have never seen any batter at the age of 14 or 15, hitting a cricket ball with so much of power,” said Allan Border.

Jofra Archer is on the verge of scripting history for the Rajasthan Royals, needing just three more wickets to become the franchise’s all-time leading wicket-taker. The England speedster could surpass Shane Watson when RR take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Archer has been a key weapon for the Royals this season, particularly in the powerplay, where his pace and control have consistently troubled opposition batters. With LSG’s top order struggling for consistency, the upcoming clash presents a perfect opportunity for Archer to reach the landmark.

The buzz around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has reached a fever pitch in IPL 2026, with former India captain Kris Srikkanth making a dramatic call to fast-track the 15-year-old sensation into the national setup - while even rival skipper Shreyas Iyer has labelled him “one for the future.”

Srikkanth, known for his blunt takes, did not hold back as he urged selectors to act immediately. “This guy, Sooryavanshi… imagine someone playing such shots. That boy is simply outstanding and brilliant. Ajit, I’m telling you, you need to fast-track him. The next series, he should be playing,” he told The Week, addressing chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

The former chief selector dismissed the idea of a gradual approach, insisting the youngster is ready for the big stage. “I think Sooryavanshi should be fast-tracked. No question of ‘give him time, let him be consistent’. No chance. That guy can win matches for you just like that,” Srikkanth said.

He pointed to the fearless manner in which the teenager has taken on elite bowlers this season — smashing Jasprit Bumrah for sixes and hammering Josh Hazlewood without hesitation. “Imagine, first ball, he hits Bumrah for a six… he’s not bothered about who the bowler is. He’s a prodigy,” he added.

In a striking comparison, Srikkanth invoked Sachin Tendulkar’s early rise. “When I went as captain in 1989, there was a prodigy — a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar. Today, he’s the God of Cricket. Similarly, this boy could well become the next ‘demigod’ of cricket,” he said.

The excitement is not limited to former players. Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer also praised the youngster’s technique and temperament. “He is a spectacular talent… the way he has that bat flow, the rhythm and momentum… I think he is one for the future,” Iyer noted.

Lucknow Super Giants have been feeling the heat in IPL this season. With just two wins from six games, LSG are just a spot above bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders in the points table. However, LSG’s bowling coach Bharat Arun doesn’t seem to be too concerned about their below par show and is hopeful of the team bouncing back in matches ahead. Excerpts from an interview

Your team conceded more than 250 runs against Punjab Kings. What exactly went wrong for LSG?

I will not read too much into that one game. Our bowling unit has done really well in the previous matches. Sometimes a game like that can happen. At certain stages, even the choice of balls may not have been ideal. But there is no major cause for concern because our bowlers are good enough to make a strong comeback. You would have seen in the earlier games that our bowlers executed our plans very well. These things can happen. Sport is also about failure and, more importantly, how strongly you respond to it. That defines the kind of sportsman you are.

Did the lack of early wickets put too much pressure in the middle overs?

We did get an early wicket, but after that their batters played very well. In the Powerplay, our choice of balls was not great, and that is something we can improve on. If you are bowling badly, that is a bigger problem. But if the issue is about making the right choices, that can certainly be corrected in the coming matches.

You have not been able to capitalise on the home advantage. Are the conditions not suiting your attack?

No, I don’t think that is the case. If you look at it, our bowling has been reasonably good at home. It is more a case of our batting being one good match away from really clicking. Even in the Punjab game, despite the loss, the positive was that our batters got close to 200. That is encouraging for us, and I’m sure the batting group would have taken confidence from that effort.

How are you managing the overseas vs Indian bowler balance?

Our bowling attack is predominantly Indian. In fact, apart from Anrich Nortje, who was injured and has gone back, we haven’t really had an overseas presence in the bowling group. But this is a very exciting Indian bowling unit, and we have a lot of belief in them.

Which phase of the innings concerns you most right now: powerplay, middle overs, or death?

I can’t reveal exactly what the data says right now, but we are aware of the areas we need to address. We have already reshuffled the bowling roles, and barring one game, it has worked quite well. So it is not a major concern for us at this stage.

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)

The undisputed breakout star of the IPL 2026 season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become a household name in a matter of weeks. Leading the RR charts with 246 runs, his strike rate of 236.53 is the highest for any specialized batter this year.

What makes Sooryavanshi fascinating today is the venue. The Ekana pitch is notorious for being ‘sticky,’ making it difficult for power-hitters to maintain a high strike rate. If Sooryavanshi can conquer the slow turn and early grip of the surface, he will likely provide RR with the explosive start they need to put LSG on the defensive immediately.

2. Prince Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants)

While the LSG bowling unit has faced criticism for leaking runs, Prince Yadav has emerged as their most reliable wicket-taker. With 11 wickets to his name already, he has shown a remarkable ability to bowl accurately during both the Powerplay and the death overs.

Against an RR lineup that features aggressive openers, Yadav’s role will be to strike early. His ability to vary his pace which will be a crucial skill at this venue will be tested against the likes of Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi. For LSG to defend a total or restrict RR, Yadav must deliver a breakthrough spell.

3. Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)

Archer has regained the frightening rhythm that once made him the most feared bowler in the world. With 8 wickets this season, he has been a master of the "first-ball strike," often dismantling the opposition's confidence before the first over is even finished.

On a surface like Lucknow’s, Archer’s high-arm release and deceptive bounce are particularly lethal. If he can remove LSG’s top order cheaply, the pressure will shift to their middle order, which has struggled to accelerate throughout the 2026 campaign.

Lucknow Super Giants return to the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday needing more than a win — what they need is a course correction. LSG have lost four of their first six matches, including a 54-run defeat to Punjab Kings in their previous outing, and are still without a home win this season after two losses in Lucknow. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, arrive better placed, with four wins from six games and third place on the points table.

For LSG, the concern is straightforward: their top order has not given them enough. The side has too often been forced into recovery mode and on a ground where setting up the innings matters, another shaky start could leave them chasing the game early. That makes the first six overs the clearest tactical window of the contest. Asked what whas wrong with their batting unit, LSG’s Aiden Markram said, “It’s probably just a case of maybe struggling for a bit of rhythm. It’s quite strange. We laugh about it in the sense that one or two guys can struggle, it's part of the game, but when the full batting lineup does so... the odds of that happening normally are quite slim.”

Rajasthan look better equipped in that phase. Jofra Archer has been their early enforcer, with nine wickets in his last eight T20s, and he goes up against an LSG batting group still searching for rhythm. If Archer breaks through up front, Rajasthan can immediately squeeze a middle order that has not consistently played from positions of control. Lucknow’s counter lies with Prince Yadav, whose recent numbers also stand out.

A “mini-Ashes” contest packed with intensity. Jofra Archer has had the upper hand over Mitchell Marsh in T20 cricket, including dismissing him in their only IPL meeting. Archer’s pace and bounce have troubled Marsh, who managed just 10 runs before falling to him in their previous encounter. If Archer gets his lines right, this battle could significantly impact LSG’s top-order momentum.

It was not long ago that Prince Yadav would get a frequent thrashing from his father for loitering around in the neighbourhood playing tennis-ball cricket. Till the age of 17, Prince played every tennis-ball cricket match in Dariyapur Khurd, a village beyond Virender Sehwag’s birthplace, Najafgarh, in the southwestern outskirts of the Capital.

“Bahut maar khaata thaa ghar pe. (I used to get a lot of beating at home),” says the LSG pacer, with a mischievous smile during a chat with TOI here, “I never aspired to become a professional cricketer. The thought never even crossed my mind. I just enjoyed playing tennis-ball cricket and did nothing else.”

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have faced each other five times in the IPL, with RR dominating the head-to-head record, winning four matches to LSG’s one. LSG, a relatively new team, impressed by making the playoffs in their first two seasons but struggled in 2024, finishing seventh. To turn things around, they have appointed Rishabh Pant as their captain for 2025. Meanwhile, RR, led by Sanju Samson, had a strong 2024 season, finishing third after a solid league-stage run. Both teams will be eager to improve on their performances and make a deeper impact in the upcoming season.

A tactical matchup that could define the middle phase. Ravi Bishnoi has been highly effective against Nicholas Pooran, restricting his scoring while maintaining a tight economy rate. Interestingly, Pooran has never been dismissed by Bishnoi but has struggled to dominate him. With Pooran managing just 69 runs off 51 balls in their encounters, Bishnoi’s variations and control could once again play a crucial role in keeping LSG’s explosive batter in check.

A battle of intent and precision in the middle overs. Rishabh Pant has historically enjoyed success against Ravindra Jadeja, scoring 84 runs while being dismissed just twice. Pant often looks to attack Jadeja and disrupt his rhythm. However, Jadeja’s improved accuracy in IPL 2026, reflected in his impressive economy rate of 6.5, makes him a tougher proposition. On a surface like Ekana that offers grip, this contest could tilt either way depending on who adapts better.

A classic battle of aggression versus control. Yashasvi Jaiswal has dominated this head-to-head in terms of runs, but Avesh Khan has consistently found ways to strike back. Their rivalry includes a defining moment in 2025 when Avesh uprooted Jaiswal’s middle stump after he had raced to 74. With Avesh’s ability to hit hard lengths and extract bounce, this duel could once again prove decisive in the powerplay.

Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to grab headlines in IPL 2026, not just for his explosive batting but also for the admiration he’s drawing from seasoned stars. The latest to weigh in is Aiden Markram, who couldn’t help but marvel at the youngster’s power-hitting ability at such a tender age.

"Yeah, it's entertaining. Jeez, thinking back to when I was 15, all those years ago, I don't even think I could hit a four just yet. Great talent of course," Aiden Markram said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, M Siddharth

Impact Player: Mohsin Khan

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger

Impact Player: Yash Raj Punja

The explosive youth meets seasoned mastery in this intriguing contest. 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken IPL 2026 by storm, smashing 20 sixes and 24 fours in just six innings, including a memorable over against Jasprit Bumrah where he struck two sixes. However, Mohammed Shami remains a formidable force in the powerplay. Known for his impeccable seam position and accuracy, Shami could exploit the Ekana Stadium conditions, which are expected to assist fast bowlers. This may challenge Sooryavanshi’s aggressive “play on the up” approach early in the innings.

The LSG vs RR clash will be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow with the match set to begin at 7:30 PM IST. The game will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on JioHotstar.

Lucknow Super Giants return to Ekana Stadium under pressure, needing a turnaround after losing four of six matches and still searching for their first home win. Their main concern is an inconsistent top order, often forcing them into recovery mode.

Rajasthan Royals, placed third, arrive in better form and hold the edge, especially in the Powerplay, with Jofra Archer posing a major threat. LSG will rely on Prince Yadav to counter early. With home advantage yet to work in their favour, LSG must fix their batting issues quickly to stay competitive.

LSG vs RR: Head-to-Head

Matches played: 6
Rajasthan Royals won: 4
Lucknow Super Giants won: 2

Expect hot and dry conditions for today’s IPL 32nd match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Current conditions show a temperature of 37°C with 15% humidity, and a high of 41°C was recorded earlier today. Moderate dew is expected during the second innings, which typically assists batters by making the ball skid onto the bat.

Rajasthan Royals Squad: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Yash Raj Punja, Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Tushar Deshpande, Kuldeep Sen, Sushant Mishra, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Kwena Maphaka, Vignesh Puthur, Aman Rao Perala


Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Mohsin Khan, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, Himmat Singh, George Linde, Josh Inglis, Anrich Nortje, Arjun Tendulkar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Maharaj Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari.

For today’s IPL 2026 match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, the pitch is expected to be a slow, black-soil surface that favors bowlers, particularly spinners, as the match progresses. Pacers can expect early swing and movement with the new ball during the powerplay, while spinners can have significant grip and turn are expected in the middle overs (8-15), making it difficult for batters to find timing.

The clash between hosts Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow will mark the clash between the best opening pair of the competition in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a highly-skilled LSG bowling line-up, which has been exceptional in containing the run-scoring madness in an ever-evolving environment of T20 cricket.


LSG, placed at ninth spot with two wins and four losses, will continue their fight for survival in the tournament, while Rajasthan, placed at fourth spot with four wins and two losses, will be aiming to take one step further in their aim to reach the playoffs.


The RR opening pair of Sooryavanshi (246 runs in six innings at an average of 41.00 and a strike rate of 236.52, with two fifties) and Jaiswal (223 runs in six innings at an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 152.73, including two fifties) have been sensational throughout the season: averaging 54.66 and striking at 11.44 runs per over, as per statistics from Cricbuzz.


However, on the other side, LSG pacers have the best economy rate (8.77) and best dot-ball percentage (41.8) this season, and the trio of Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan and Prince Yadav can put the early squeeze on RR's explosive opening pair.


Shami in particular could be effective, having taken the wicket of the first ball of the innings most often (five times). He could have an interesting battle with Sooryavanshi, who has the habit of going hard right from ball one and has hit more sixes than any other batter since his IPL debut last year (44).

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 32 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Wednesday at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, with both teams aiming to regain momentum at a crucial stage of the tournament.

Rishabh Pant and Co. have endured a difficult campaign so far, sitting ninth on the points table with just two wins from six matches. Their victories have come against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, but a run of three successive defeats has stalled their progress. The hosts will be keen to arrest the slide and revive their season with a much-needed win.

In contrast, the Riyan Parag-led side has enjoyed a stronger start and currently occupy third place with four wins from six outings. After opening their campaign with four straight victories, RR have stumbled in their last two matches and will be looking to bounce back quickly to strengthen their playoff push.

When: Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 PM IST

Where: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

Where to watch: The LSG vs RR match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game.