Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants – Avesh Khan’s Heroics Seal Thrilling 2-Run Win

On the evening of April 19, 2025, Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium came alive with an electrifying battle that kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats. The 36th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 pitted Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), culminating in a nail-biting 2-run victory for Lucknow. This wasn’t just a game—it was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with jaw-dropping moments, record-breaking debuts, and a finish that will be talked about for years. Let’s break down the key moments, stellar performances, and intriguing facts from this unforgettable showdown.

Toss and Early Moves: Lucknow Chooses to Bat

The match kicked off with Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant winning the toss and opting to bat first. The decision was strategic, given the Sawai Mansingh pitch’s reputation for favoring batters but offering an edge to chasing teams. With a light covering of grass, the surface promised some early assistance for fast bowlers.

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Rajasthan Royals faced a curveball with their regular captain, Sanju Samson, sidelined by a side strain injury. Riyan Parag stepped up as stand-in captain, and the team handed a dream IPL debut to 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, making him the youngest player in IPL history. The stage was set for a thrilling contest.

Lucknow’s Batting: Markram and Badoni Shine

Lucknow’s innings began with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh at the crease. Marsh, however, fell early, caught brilliantly by Shimron Hetmyer off Jofra Archer’s bowling after miscuing a lofted shot, leaving Lucknow at 16/1. Nicholas Pooran injected some flair with a few stylish shots but was dismissed for 11 by Sandeep Sharma, putting Lucknow under pressure.

Markram and Rishabh Pant then steadied the ship. Markram played with a perfect blend of caution and aggression, reaching his half-century in 31 balls. Pant contributed with some crisp strokes but was undone by Wanindu Hasaranga in the 8th over, leaving Lucknow at 54/3. The team needed a big partnership, and Markram found an able ally in Ayush Badoni.

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The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run stand, lifting Lucknow to a competitive position. Badoni’s elegant 50 off 33 balls, featuring silky cover drives and lofted shots, was a treat to watch. Markram’s 66 off 45 balls showcased his impeccable timing and ability to find gaps.

The final over saw Abdul Samad unleash a blitz, hammering four sixes off Sandeep Sharma to propel Lucknow to 180/5. Samad’s unbeaten 30 off 10 balls gave the innings a late flourish. For Rajasthan, Hasaranga bagged 2 wickets, while Archer, Sandeep, and Tushar Deshpande claimed one each.

Rajasthan’s Chase: Vaibhav’s Dream Debut and Jaiswal’s Grit

Chasing 181, Rajasthan Royals got off to a blazing start, thanks to their teenage debutant, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 14-year-old stunned everyone by smashing a six off Shardul Thakur’s first ball, lofting it over cover in a moment that screamed prodigy. This audacious shot became one of the most memorable debut moments in IPL history. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav powered Rajasthan to 61/0 in the first 6 overs, setting an aggressive tone.

Lucknow’s bowlers, however, clawed their way back. Vaibhav’s sparkling 36 came to an end, and Nitish Rana followed soon after, dismissed cheaply. Jaiswal, undeterred, anchored the innings with a gritty half-century off 52 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. Riyan Parag played a supporting role, and their 62-run partnership for the third wicket kept Rajasthan in the driver’s seat. At the end of 17 overs, Rajasthan were 156/2, needing just 25 runs off 18 balls—a seemingly comfortable position.

The Avesh Khan Show: A Dramatic Turnaround

The match took a breathtaking twist in the final overs, courtesy of Avesh Khan. In the 18th over, he struck twice in two balls, dismissing Jaiswal (74) with a searing yorker and trapping Parag (39) LBW as he attempted a ramp shot. Suddenly, Rajasthan were reeling at 161/4, and the pressure was palpable.

Prince Yadav bowled a tight 19th over, conceding 11 runs, leaving Rajasthan needing 9 runs off the final over. Avesh Khan, entrusted with the ball, delivered a masterclass in death bowling. Dhruv Jurel managed a single off the first ball, and Shimron Hetmyer took two off the second. But Avesh struck again on the third ball, inducing a flick from Hetmyer that Shardul Thakur pouched at backward square leg.

With Shubham Dubey at the crease, the fourth ball was a dot, ratcheting up the tension. On the fifth ball, Dubey lofted a shot to long-on, where David Miller dropped a catch, allowing two runs. Rajasthan needed 4 off the final ball, but Avesh sealed the deal with another pinpoint yorker, which Dubey could only hit back to the bowler. Lucknow clinched a heart-stopping 2-run victory, and Avesh Khan’s 3/37 earned him the Player of the Match award.

Scoreboard

Lucknow Super Giants Batting

Rajasthan Royals Bowling

Rajasthan Royals Batting

Lucknow Super Giants Bowling

Player of the Match: Avesh Khan (3/37)

Fascinating Facts and Records

1. Vaibhav’s Historic Debut: At 14 years and 23 days, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest IPL player ever. His six off the first ball he faced stole the headlines.
2. Avesh’s Clutch Performance: Avesh’s three wickets in the final overs, including defending 9 runs in the last over, marked one of the finest death-bowling displays of his career.
3. Sawai Mansingh’s Chasing Jinx Broken: Teams chasing at this venue had won 38 of 58 matches, but Lucknow defied the trend with their gritty defense.

Wrapping Up: A Match for the Ages

This clash was a testament to the magic of IPL, where every ball can change the game. Lucknow Super Giants, powered by Avesh Khan’s ice-cool bowling and solid contributions from Markram, Badoni, and Samad, pulled off a stunning upset. For Rajasthan, the defeat stung, especially after being in a commanding position. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maturity and Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s fearless debut offered hope, but costly errors in the closing stages proved their undoing.

The victory catapulted Lucknow to fourth on the points table, while Rajasthan slipped to eighth. This is the IPL at its unpredictable best, where fortunes shift in a heartbeat. Both teams will look to regroup for their upcoming matches, with Rajasthan aiming to bounce back and Lucknow hoping to build on this momentum. For fans, this was a night of pure cricketing drama—one they won’t forget anytime soon.