Jaipur, Mar. 25: Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs to make a winning start to their IPL campaign in Jaipur. 

For RR, skipper Sanju Samson smashed an unbeaten 82 in 52 balls in their total of 193 for four. In reply, Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 64 off 41 balls went in vain as LSG finished on 173 for 6. Skipper KL Rahul made a sedate 58 off 44 balls, eating up a lot of deliveries 

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals scored a massive 193/3 against Lucknow Super Giants at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The hosts have given a good target to LSG and KL Rahul-side need some strong performances to chase the target under lights. 

After losing Yashasvi Jaiswal, RR skipper Sanju Samson took charge of his team’s innings and slammed his 21st half-century. 

Pant returns

Star Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant returned to action after 15 months out and couldn’t stop his Delhi Capitals losing to Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League season-opener on Saturday. Unheralded pacer Harshit Rana bowled a brilliant final over to restrict Sunrisers Hyderabad and give Kolkata Knight Riders a thrilling four-run win. 

Pant marked his first match since he was seriously injured in a car crash in December 2022 by scoring a 13-ball 18, making a stumping and a catch.

But his Delhi team’s 174-9 was chased down by Punjab’s 177-6 with four balls to spare, led by Sam Curran’s 63 off 47 balls.