The fourth match of IPL 2024 sets the stage for an exciting encounter as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) welcome the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The Royals, who narrowly missed out on clinching the title in 2022 and fell short of the playoffs last year, finishing 5th, are eager to reverse their fortunes this season. Despite a strong start in IPL 2023, winning four of their first five matches, Rajasthan's campaign lost momentum, resulting in just three victories in their subsequent nine games.
Contrastingly, LSG have demonstrated remarkable consistency since their introduction to the IPL, securing playoff spots in both their seasons to date. Under the captaincy of KL Rahul, LSG aim to elevate their performance further, with new head coach Justin Langer at the helm. Langer's proven track record of leading teams to glory, both internationally with Australia and domestically with Perth Scorchers, brings hope to the Super Giants' camp for a title-winning campaign.
Team News
Avesh Khan was traded in by the Royals from the Lucknow Super Giants, with Devdutt Padikkal heading the other way. Both should feature in their teams’ respective XIs.
The Royals have also brought in spin all-rounder Tanush Kotian in place of Adam Zampa, who opted out of IPL 2024. With international talents like Rovman Powell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Nandre Burger, RR have ample choices for their 4th overseas player slot.
For LSG, captain KL Rahul is fully fit. Englishman Mark Wood will miss the full season and his compatriot David Willey too will not be available at the beginning of IPL 2024, but the Super Giants have roped in young West Indies pace sensation Shamar Joseph, and with Naveen-ul-Haq also in the side, they should have no problems being competitive.
Head-to-Head Record
RR and LSG have faced each other three times in the past two seasons. While the Royals won both contests in IPL 2022, it was LSG who triumphed by 10 runs in their last meeting in 2023.
Weather Report
It will be a very hot day under the scorching sun, with temperatures hovering between 35°C around 4 PM to 30°C later in the evening.
Likely Playing XIs
RR Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
LSG Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Deepak Hooda, KL Rahul (c), Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur, Shamar Joseph
Full squads:
RR full squad: Sanju Samson (C), Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel, Kunal Rathore, Donovan Ferreira, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Ravichandran Ashwin, Abid Mushtaq, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Tanush Kotian, Nandre Burger, Avesh Khan.
LSG full squad: KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Krunal Pandya, Yudhvir Singh, Prerak Mankad, Yash Thakur, Amit Mishra, Shamar Joseph, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, K. Gowtham, Shivam Mavi, Arshin Kulkarni, M. Siddharth, Ashton Turner, David Willey, Mohd. Arshad Khan