RR vs LSG, 4th Match at Jaipur, IPL, Mar 24 2024 - Match Result

The first game of the double-header Sunday is wrapped up, as RR beat LSG by 20 runs. But the action shifts to Ahmedabad, where Pandya's GT host Pandya's MI. That is it from us from Jaipur this evening, as this is Himanshu signing off on behalf of Raghav, Thilak and Ekanth! Good night!

Sanju Samson is the Player of the Match for his 82*: "It's always great fun to spend time in the middle. This time I have been a different role, with a slightly different combination. Sanga has given me suggestions... I have been playing IPL for ten years, so there's experience coming in. Good start, but let's see how it goes. It's all about understanding your strengths and weakness. I just react to the ball. That helps me maintain the shape. I think I should give the trophy to Sandeep Sharma. I wouldn't have been standing here [but for him]... I thought of calling him, but then thought it would be a bit too much! Everyone chipped in well. We just had to stick to our plans."

Time for the presentations

"Looks like Ashwin gave a coach's talk" --- He loves it, KumarS!

R Ashwin: "It was a wicket of two halves. When we batted first, it stuck in the pitch. Sometimes it is tough... After the eight-over mark, we felt the wicket was a good one. In our view, we were ten short. It was a good pitch; it tends to get better here. I went for 12 off the first ball I bowled! I bowl in different stages of the game. The body is ageing. Requires different mindset. I came from a Test series. I went for 15 in the first over - that was inside the powerplay. The moment that phase of the game is done, I try to shell it away. The next three overs of mine went for 20, and I got a wicket... Most importantly, [it is about] preparing for every single batter in the opposition. The game is built by perception. Sandeep has been an unsung hero. He stepped up for Prasidh last year. He is a character; it's about the fight they have. A bowler for a fight is way more valuable than a bowler with a skill. There are two bouncers to be used, and that's the only fillip the bowlers have got in this competition. Boulty's very aggressive up front, and so is Nandre."

KL Rahul, LSG captain: "I don't think the target was a lot; it was just ten over-par. We bowled well in patches. Not making too much out of it. Just made a few mistakes. Mohsin was our powerplay bowler in the first season, but he wasn't fully fit last season. Good to see him back. Naveen has been crucial for us since he has come in. Powerplay is crucial for every team, and I don't think any team has cracked it yet. We'll made from the small mistakes we made. When we are three [down] for nothing, and we give ourselves a chance of chasing 194 speaks of our line-up... We need to find ways to win games of cricket. We'll try to build from here, and see where we can get stronger. Langer's brought a lot of calmness to the group. I stole his line when I said we need to find ways to win games of cricket. We enjoy having him around. All of us have watched him coach Australia to a T20 World Cup and an Ashes victory. When you get runs, you always feel good. But it's important for us to end up on the winning side. That gives more satisfaction. Missing a season was really painful."

7.23pm LSG needed another 49 from the last 24 balls, with Rahul and Pooran well set and ready to smash. That is when Sandeep Sharma struck, and pushed LSG back against the wall. His first over had gone for only five, and he started the death overs with Rahul's wicket. Rahul took his time to score 58, and eventually, it was too much to do for even Pooran, who was much brighter with 64* in 41 balls. RR seemed to have lost their way after they had LSG at 11 for 3 and then 60 for 4, but Sandeep, who finished with 1 for 22 in three overs, was spot on when required. Hang around for the presentations.

Pooran can only hope to work on LSG's net run rate now...

Dev: "My MoM is Sandeep Sharma!"

An improbable 27 needed in the last over. Avesh will bowl.

LSG need 38 off 12. Pooran key.

From around to Pandya too

From around to Pooran

Abhijeet: "Perfect opportunity for Stoinis"

Ashwin will finish off