IPL 2026: Pant out for a duck as LSG struggle at 31/3 after powerplay against RR

Rishabh Pant (Pic: AFP)

The Lucknow Super Giants were in trouble at the end of the powerplay against the Rajasthan Royals. Chasing 160 for victory, LSG were reeling at 31/3 after the first six overs.

RR pacers made an explosive start, hitting the right lengths and forcing LSG batters into errors. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger dominated the LSG top order, which failed to get going.

Ayush Badoni was the first wicket to fall, run out after a mix-up in the middle. Soon after, Rishabh Pant departed for a duck, caught behind off Burger.

Archer then joined the action, dismissing Aiden Markram. Bowling consistently above 150 kmph, Archer caused havoc with his pace, including a maiden over against Nicholas Pooran during the powerplay.

LSG will hope that Mitchell Marsh and Pooran can stabilise the innings and steer them towards a much-needed victory at home.

Earlier, the Rajasthan Royals were restricted to 159/6 by the Lucknow Super Giants. The hosts struck early in the powerplay and maintained control from the outset.

RR began well but were pegged back towards the end of the powerplay. LSG's pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Mohsin Khan impressed, reducing RR to 44/3 after six overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to a brisk start, scoring 22 off 12 balls, before being dismissed by Shami. Ravindra Jadeja played a fighting knock of 43 off 29 balls to help RR post 159/6 in 20 overs.

For LSG, Shami was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/30.

Confirmed Playing XI for both teams:

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

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mayank Yadav