The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 reaches a critical juncture with the 36th match, where Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 19, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. This encounter is pivotal for both teams as they vie for a stronger position in the playoff race.
LSG, currently fifth with four wins from seven matches, has shown consistency, while RR, languishing in eighth with just two victories, desperately needs a turnaround. With a passionate home crowd behind them, RR will look to leverage their key players, but LSG’s balanced squad makes this a highly anticipated clash.
RR’s season has been a tale of missed opportunities. Despite flashes of brilliance from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, their death bowling has been a significant concern, leaking runs at an alarming rate of 12.3 per over in the final five overs.
LSG, led by the dynamic Rishabh Pant, has relied on the explosive batting of Nicholas Pooran and a resurgent bowling unit, particularly their spinners. However, recent loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has highlighted areas for improvement. As both teams prepare for this crucial fixture, strategic decisions, player form, and adaptability to conditions will be key to securing the two points on offer.
Match Overview
The Rajasthan Royals have struggled to find consistency in IPL 2025. Their batting has shown promise, with Jaiswal’s back-to-back fifties providing solid starts, but the middle order has often failed to capitalize. The team’s death bowling woes, as highlighted by head coach Rahul Dravid, have been a major setback, with bowlers conceding 15-16 runs more than acceptable in the final overs. Jofra Archer has been a bright spot, picking up five wickets in the Power Play, but RR needs a collective effort to challenge a strong LSG side.
Lucknow Super Giants, in contrast, have been more balanced. Their batting lineup, featuring Nicholas Pooran (357 runs) and Mitchell Marsh (295 runs), has been in fine form, while Pant’s timely 63 against CSK showcased his ability to anchor and accelerate. LSG’s bowling, led by Shardul Thakur (11 wickets) and spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi (9 wickets), has been effective, though their pacers have occasionally struggled. With four wins in seven matches, LSG is in a stronger position but cannot afford complacency against a desperate RR side at home.
Key Players to Watch
Rajasthan Royals
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: With 233 runs in seven matches, including two successive fifties, Jaiswal’s aggressive starts are vital for RR. His ability to dominate the PowerPlay could set the tone.
- Jofra Archer: Archer’s seven wickets in seven matches, including five in the Power Play, make him a key weapon. His past success against Pooran (dismissed thrice in 36 balls) could be a game-changer.
- Sanju Samson: Despite an injury scare, Samson’s 200 runs in five matches against LSG highlight his importance as captain and batsman.
Lucknow Super Giants
- Nicholas Pooran: Pooran’s strike rate of 272 against spin is unmatched in IPL history (for batters facing over 50 balls). His 357 runs this season make him LSG’s biggest threat.
- Rishabh Pant: Pant’s leadership and recent half-century (63 vs CSK) underline his value. His aggressive batting could exploit RR’s bowling weaknesses.
- Shardul Thakur: With 11 wickets in seven games, Thakur’s all-round contributions are crucial for LSG’s balance.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
The weather in Jaipur is expected to be hot, with temperatures reaching up to 39°C and no rain forecast, ensuring an uninterrupted 40-over match. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch has historically favored chasing, with teams batting first winning only 40% of matches.
The average first-innings score is 181, but the pitch can play slower in the first innings during day games, potentially prompting the toss winner to field first. Spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga (RR) and Ravi Bishnoi (LSG) could find assistance as the match progresses.
Head-to-Head Records
RR holds a commanding 4-1 lead over LSG in their five previous encounters. LSG’s sole victory came at this venue in 2023, which could boost their confidence. Last season, RR won both matches convincingly—by 20 runs at home and by seven wickets away. This historical dominance gives RR a psychological edge, but LSG’s recent form makes them a formidable opponent.
| Matches Played | 5 |
| Won by Rajasthan Royals | 4 |
| Won by Lucknow Super Giants | 1 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
| First-ever Fixture | April 10, 2022 |
| Most-recent Fixture | April 27, 2024 |
Predicted Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Kumar Kartikeya, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande
Impact Player: Fazalhaq Farooqi
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi
Impact Player: Ravi Bishnoi
Injury Updates and Team News
RR is closely monitoring captain Sanju Samson, who suffered a side strain and retired hurt in their previous match against Delhi Capitals. Reports indicate he is likely to play, but his fitness remains a concern. For LSG, pace sensation Mayank Yadav has rejoined the squad after recovering from a lower back stress fracture.
However, his participation is uncertain pending medical clearance. These injury concerns could influence team strategies and selections.
Match Predictions
Predicting an IPL match is challenging due to the format’s unpredictability, but LSG appears to have a slight advantage. Their batting depth, led by Pooran and Marsh, and a versatile bowling attack featuring Thakur and Rathi, give them an edge. Pooran’s dominance against spin could exploit RR’s bowling vulnerabilities, particularly in the middle overs.
However, RR’s home advantage cannot be underestimated. Jaiswal’s form, Archer’s pace, and a passionate Jaipur crowd could inspire a turnaround. The key for RR will be to address their death bowling issues, as highlighted by Dravid’s concerns about conceding 72-77 runs in the last five overs.
Scenario 1
- RR win the toss and opt to bowl.
- Powerplay: 50-60
- LSG: 190-210
- RR win the match.
Scenario 2
- LSG win the toss and opt to bowl.
- Powerplay: 45-55
- RR: 185-205
- LSG win the match
If Samson is fit and RR’s spinners, Hasaranga and Theekshana, find their rhythm, they could make this a close contest. Conversely, LSG’s ability to chase, bolstered by their recent form, makes them slight favorites if they win the toss and bowl first. Expect a thrilling match, with the outcome likely hinging on key individual battles, such as Archer vs Pooran and Jaiswal vs LSG’s spinners.
Also Read: KKR vs LSG: 3 Reasons For KKR’s Heart-Breaking Defeat Against LSG