RR vs LSG Highlights, IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 93 powers RR to 7-wicket win over LSG

Into the home stretch we go - Rajasthan Royals round off their home campaign with a win, a much-needed one at that, and they are now in pole position to clinch that fourth and final playoff spot. They will now head to Mumbai to take on Mumbai Indians on Sunday, 24 May, in what will be the penultimate game of the league stage. As for Lucknow Super Giants, they also have one game remaining, against Punjab Kings in Lucknow on Saturday, 23 May, and that will be a crucial game as well. If Punjab win, they will temporarily go into fourth position, but if Lucknow win, then Punjab will officially be knocked out of the competition. That's all for later, for now, let's shift our focus to Match 65 of the season, where Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to keep their season alive against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That game will be played on Wednesday, 20 May and will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). As usual, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Until then, take care and goodbye!

POTM - For his blistering knock of 93 from just 38 balls, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been awarded the accolade. Sooryavanshi says that while sitting out during the bowling innings, he felt the wicket looked good and did not want to rush once he went out to bat. He adds that taking his time would also help his batting partner settle in. Sooryavanshi says he always knew he could hit big whenever needed and therefore never felt the need to force the pace early. On the growing attention around him, he mentions that he does not read newspapers or focus on outside noise, believing this is only the start and that there will be plenty more said if he goes on to have a long career. Asked about his fifty celebration of forming 'A' with his fingers, Sooryavanshi laughs and says even he does not know what it means, adding that the previous game's celebration did not mean anything either and that he just keeps trying new things. He signs off by saying the team only wants to focus on the final game, enjoy themselves and not think too much.

The stand-in captain of the Rajasthan Royals - Yashasvi Jaiswal starts by saying that everyone put in the hard yards and everyone was on their game, giving credit to the likes of Jofra Archer and Brijesh Sharma with the ball. Further goes on to applaud the way Vaibhav and Dhruv Jurel batted, and the work that has been done behind the scenes has also been amazing. On the bowling changes in the middle overs, he says that both Brijesh Sharma and Sandeep Sharma had a few niggles, so he decided to go with Dasun Shanaka and keep the likes of Brijesh and Sandeep for later. They knew if they batted at the best of their abilities, then they would win, and thankfully, it came off. Mentions that he had a chat with Vaibhav regarding whoever gets a fast start should carry on, and lauds him again for his knock. Ends by saying that they need to stay balanced and enjoy the love of the crowd.

The Presentation ceremony...

RR's up-and-coming spinner is up for a chat - Yash Punja says he was not trying to do anything too fancy and simply wanted to keep things simple while putting pressure back on the batters. He adds that the key was to stay composed and do his role for the team. Punja also mentions that he regularly discusses plans with the coaches and does specific homework for each batter before games. Reflecting on the pressure situations, Punja says there was pressure in the previous game as well, but it is all about learning from experience and taking an extra second before delivering the ball, which worked for him tonight. Punja praises the death bowlers for doing a really good job and says he is trying to take things one match at a time while continuing to learn before returning next season. He finishes by calling it an amazing environment that makes it easier for players to express themselves freely.

Let's now hear from LSG's skipper - Rishabh Pant says the final over bowled by Jofra Archer was very good and feels they probably could have scored 5-10 runs more. Pant adds that as a captain, you always want to back your bowlers, especially in conditions where there is very little margin for error. He believes having too many suggestions does not work and stresses the importance of keeping plans simple. When asked about the absence of Mohammad Shami, Pant says experience is something you will always miss because it cannot be earned overnight, particularly in pressure situations. On not using Shahbaz Ahamad, Pant explains that with left-handers at the crease, they did not want to expose Shahbaz in that matchup. Rishabh ends by saying that the season has not gone their way, but insists it does not take away from the fact that they are still a really good side.

Archer's final over turns the tide - After being put into bat first, Lucknow Super Giants were in charge of the first innings for the majority of the first 20 overs. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis stitched together a 109-run opening stand, laying down the foundation, but in the second half of the innings, they started to lose a bit of steam. Yash Punja turned out to be Rajasthan's trump card as he picked up a couple of wickets in the middle overs and allowed his side to make a comeback. However, the main turning point was the 20th over of the first innings, in which Jofra Archer gave away just 5 runs and as many as three wickets fell, including that of Mitchell Marsh for a fine knock of 96, and that really shifted momentum heading into the break.

Lucknow's pacers leave a lot to be desired - With Mohammad Shami rested for the game, LSG had a fairly inexperienced bowling attack. Akash Singh took the new ball and gave away 23 runs in the first over, setting a negative tone for things to come. Mohsin Khan bowled a tidy first over, but he too went for 19 in his second over and LSG failed to build any sort of pressure on the opposition batters. Akash did come back well and get the first breakthrough, but Mayank Yadav and even Prince Yadav got a lot of stick. Digvesh Singh bowled decently as Mohsin proved to be the most economical, and he even got the big wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but it was too late in the game.

Menace from the RR openers - In the absence of Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal had the responsibility of captaining the side, but given his slim form with the bat, he was under immense pressure. Jaiswal came clutch in the Powerplay and hit a brisk 43 before getting out. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played second fiddle for a while but came into his own in the middle overs, smashing sixes for fun en route to 93 off just 38 balls. Dhruv Jurel also came back into form, stitching together a 100-plus stand with Vaibhav, and finished the game with an unbeaten half-century.

Rajasthan take back control of their destiny - A win under pressure and the first one of the season in Jaipur for Rajasthan Royals, and they now move up into 4th place, which means if they win their final game, no other result will matter, and they will qualify. As for Lucknow, it is their 9th defeat of the season, and they remain at the foot of the table.

Shahbaz Ahamad to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Donovan Ferreira seals the win for the Rajasthan Royals. RR win by 7 wickets and give their playoff chances a big boost. Fractionally short from around the wicket, on off. Ferreira presses back and thumps it down the ground. The long off fielder stands no chance as he can only watch the ball sail over his head.

Just like Rajasthan Royals. Lucknow Super Giants also get the fielding penalty for not completing their overs in the stipulated time frame. It will be Shahbaz Ahamad to bowl the final over.

Prince Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, PUT DOWN! Prince goes searching for the yorker. It comes out as a low full toss, on middle. Ferreira clears the front leg and hits it flat down to long on. Nicholas Pooran runs in off the ropes and gets low to take the catch around his shin. It goes in and out of his palm. Single taken. RR need 2 from the final over.

Prince Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, Full and on off. Ferreira picks the bones out of it and powers the drive but picks out the man at mid off.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Low full toss, on leg. This is knocked to long on for a single.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, SIX! Dhruv Jurel brings up his FIFTY in style. The 5th half-century of the season for RR's number 3. Prince bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Jurel hangs on the back foot and swivels to pull it behind square leg for a biggie. Dhruv throws a punch in the air while looking towards the dugout.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Two dots to begin with. Nice and full with a bit of tail towards the batter. Jurel tries to flick it away. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it lobs in front of the batter. Dhruv is not aware of where the ball is and sets off before being sent back. He puts in a dive to get home as Prince releases an underarm throw but misses.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Hits the top of off. Dhruv presses back and plays the short-arm jab but can't beat the man at a catching mid-wicket.

Mayank Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, A big swing and a miss! Rolls his fingers over the ball and this is on a good length, just outside the off pole. Ferreira gets the front leg out of the way and swings across the line. The ball keeps a bit low to go under his bat.

Mayank Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, Slips in the yorker, on middle. Donovan jams it out back past the bowler. By the time the long on fielder can get around and release the throw, the batters are able to come back for the second. 10 more needed for RR.

Mayank Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, FOUR! In the gap! Off-cutter, bowled into the wicket, at shoulder height. Ferreira gets his hands high and drags the pull to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Mayank Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, On a hard length, on middle. Ferreira stands tall and pulls it along the ground to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

Mayank Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Takes pace off and goes into the pitch, on middle. Dhruv pulls it hard through square leg. Prince Yadav sprints and slides to his left in the deep to cut it off. Single taken.

Mayank Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, A loud shout for LBW! Turned down by the umpire. The timer runs out before Rishabh Pant can make up his mind. Full and straight, at the sticks. Ferreira clears the front leg and has a heave across the line. The ball goes under the inside edge to catch him on the crouched back thigh. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes away on the off side.

Mayank Yadav is back in to finish his spell.

Prince Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, A pinpoint yorker, on middle and leg. Ferreira hurriedly gets his bat down and squeezes it out to wide mid on for one. 20 needed off 18.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Bashes the hard length, over middle. Jurel presses back for the pull but is rushed. He mistimes the shot to deep mid-wicket for one. The 200 comes up for RR.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Yorker, on off. Jurel jams it out to backward point and they set off for a quick run. Ayush Badoni swoops in and gets low to pick the ball up but fumbles, allowing the batters to take the second run.

Reviewed! More in hope, it seems. Prince Yadav seemed excited about the LBW appeal, but it was turned down. Rishabh Pant goes for the DRS and the third umpire is called into action. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside the ball is sliding past the leg stump. NOT OUT.

Prince Yadav to Donovan Ferreira, Not a lot going in favour of the bowler in that appeal. Seam-up ball, low full toss, on middle and leg. This tails back into the right-hander. Donovan Ferreira leans across to flick it away but the ball goes under the bat to catch him low on the front pad. A confident shout by the bowler alone and it is turned down. Rishabh Pant feels that it is going down leg but takes the bowler's head and goes for the review. No bat involved and the Ball Tracking has the ball going down the leg stump.

Donovan Ferreira walks out to bat next for the Royals.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, OUT! PRETORIUS IS RUN OUT! Prince nails the yorker, outside the off stump. Jurel drops his bat down and digs it out to backward point. A look at each other before the batters set off for a risky single. The ball bounces nicely for Ayush Badoni, who moves forward and picks it up cleanly before having a shy at the batting end. Lhuan-dre Pretorius had already given up and Badoni hits the target to catch him short. RR are 196/3, needing 25 from 22 balls.

Prince Yadav to Dhruv Jurel, Skidding through, not that wide for the cut and not that short either. On a good length, in the channel. Jurel goes for the cut but misses as the ball sneaks under his willow.

Prince Yadav (2-0-31-0) is back on.

Mohsin Khan to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Fuller and on middle and leg. Pretorius presses forward and clips it uppishly to the left of long on for a brace.

Mohsin Khan to Dhruv Jurel, A bit wide, on a back of a length. Dhruv extends his hands and cuts it wide of backward point for a run.

Mohsin Khan to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a nagging length, attacking the front pad. Pretorius wrists it in front of deep mid-wicket. They think about the second run but the fielder in the deep is quick to get rid of the ball.

Mohsin Khan to Dhruv Jurel, Pushed across the right-hander, on the fuller side. Jurel reaches out and eases it to deep point for a single.

Mohsin Khan to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Leg bye! Angled in on a good length, on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to clip it away but misses. The ball goes off the pads on the off side for a leg bye.

Mohsin Khan to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Good running! Around off, on a good length. Lhuan-dre Pretorius plays it with soft hands as he tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second run.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Just the one over since the departure of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but there has finally been a bit of calm after the storm he unleashed. With just 33 runs needed off 30 balls and 8 wickets in hand, the Royals will look to finish this chase quickly. LSG, meanwhile, have been left stunned by a storm named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.