Avesh Khan last over heroics sealed the 10-run victory for Lucknow Super Giants against Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 155, Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a steady start to Royals. Jaiswal tuned up his attacking approach early in the game, as he smacked a four and a six in the second over from Yudhvir Singh. Jos Buttler joined the party as he cracked a 112m six off Yudhvir. The deadly duo made Avesh Khan their target which took their score to 47/0 at the end of the powerplay.
LSG introduced Amit Mishra as their Impact Player in the 9th over, replacing Kyle Mayers.
Buttler and Jaiswal took a patient approach, hitting an odd four in an over as RR moved at around seven-and-a-half an over. LSG found their way back into the match with three quick wickets.
Jaiswal thumped a six over mid-wicket off Stoinis in the 12th over but the LSG all-rounder hit back to dismiss Jaiswal two balls later for a score of 44(35). RR lost their captain Sanju Samson as he was run out which was a result of a bit of confusion with Buttler. This was the turning point of the entire match
RR lost their third wicket in three overs as Buttler mistimed his shot off Stoinis straight into the hands of Ravi Bishnoi at deep mid-wicket on 40(41).
Things slowed down for Royals in the middle overs. The pressure got into the heads of Royals as the in-form Shimron Hetmyer (2) departed in the 16th over. With 42 needed off 18, Impact Player Devdutt Padikkal hit three fours in Stoinis’ over to bring the equation down to 29 needed off 12.
Naveen-ul-Haq started off the penultimate over well, giving away three singles off three balls but then Riyan Parag swung the next one over deep mid-wicket for a six. The Afghanistan pacer though finished well, giving just one off the last two balls.
With 19 needed off six, Riyan Parag cracked the first ball of the final over from Avesh Khan over backward point for a four. Parag went for a heave next ball but missed and ran through for a leg bye. Avesh then provided a crucial moment.
Deepak Hooda then pulled off a brilliant catch under pressure as Avesh Khan scalped two wickets in two balls. The last two balls brought just three and LSG won the match by 10 runs.(ANI)
