Dominant Performance by Samson and Jurel Propels Rajasthan Royals to Victory In IPL 2024
The dynamic duo of Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel played pivotal roles as Rajasthan Royals secured their eighth win in nine games, consolidating their position at the top of the Indian Premier league (IPL) points table.Â
They increased their lead over KKR in second place and now lead the league by six points.
Lucknow Super Giants 196 for 5 (Rahul 76, Hooda 50, Sandeep 2-31) were defeated by Rajasthan Royals 199 for 3 (Samson 71*, Jurel 52*) by seven wickets.
At the end of the first innings, the target of 197 set by the Lucknow Super Giants against the Rajasthan Royals might not have appeared like much. After all, targets 262 and 211 had been easily pursued throughout the prior four days, and totals 257 and 225 were also on the verge of being overrun.
Even so, after finishing the powerplay at 60 for 1, RR found themselves in a precarious scenario at 78 for 3 after 8.4 overs. With ten overs remaining in the chase and RR requiring 116, forecaster gave LSG an 87.76% chance of winning. However, Sanju Samson and an out-of-form Dhruv Jurel teamed up to score half-centuries in a 121-run counterattack against LSG’s century partnership between KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda, which saw the Royals win with one over remaining.Â
With five games remaining, the Royals almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs with their eighth win in nine games, moving them six points clear of Kolkata Knight Riders in second place.
Trent Boult struck in the opening over, as he almost always does. After hitting boundaries off the first two balls of the match, Quinton de Kock’s stumps were broken by the third. Additionally, in an attempt to drive and bowl Stoinis, Sandeep Sharma swerved the ball into the space between his bat and pad in the second over.
When Hooda joined captain Rahul, LSG was down 11 for 2. They quickly recovered, counterattacking with four boundaries in the final two overs of the powerplay. Then, in the eighth over, Rahul took Avesh for twenty-one, whipping and swinging for six over fine leg and midwicket and dragging a free-hit for four more.
At the midway point, LSG was 94 for 2, with Rahul scoring 50 off just 31 balls. Together, he and Hooda carried on the assault, scoring 32 in the next two overs. After reaching his half-century off 30 deliveries, Hooda ended his partnership with Rahul on 115 off 62 balls by holing out to a carrom ball from Ashwin.
LSG was expected to have a good finish with eight overs remaining and plenty of wickets in hand, but they were unable to achieve it. Despite losing just two more wickets, Nicholas Pooran and Rahul (for 76 off 48 balls) were the losers, as LSG could only muster 25 runs in the final three overs of their innings.
In Lucknow, there were a few fractures in the surface, and it was anticipated that the ball would turn them off. Additionally, the soil was black, which has traditionally been better for spin. R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, the spinners for RR, combined for figures of 8-0-80-1 when LSG batted. Deepak Hooda was caught at wide long-on by Ashwin, who took the lone wicket. This is just Ashwin’s second wicket in eight games this season.
Also Read: Rajasthan Royals Triumph In Thrilling 2008 IPL Final Against CSK
Even though there wasn’t much dew, LSG’s spinners weren’t very successful during the chase, as Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mishra all bowled one-for-sixty in seven overs. Mishra and Bishnoi proved costly, while Krunal bowled quicker and flatter, giving up only 24 from his four overs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler have put on 60 runs in 34 balls. But Yash Thakur bowled Buttler with two deliveries left in the powerplay, sliding over his crease and missing a full ball that struck the base of leg stump. Marcus Stoinis got Jaiswal caught at deep cover in the subsequent over. For this match, LSG selected a black-soil pitch and used Amit Mishra, a 41-year-old legspinner, as the Impact Player for the first time this season.
After giving up a six too soon, Mishra had RR’s Impact Player, Riyan Parag, caught at deep cover. At that time, RR was in danger, but Samson and Jurel helped them escape.
Jurel had scored just 10 runs in his previous three innings over six matches, but Samson had started his innings with form, ranking among the season’s leading scorers. Before destroying the next two overs for 29 runs, they took their time, scoring just three runs off the first eight balls of their partnership. Samson scored three boundaries, and Jurel hit Mishra for a six and chipped Thakur for four.
The game’s turning point came from left-arm quick Mohsin Khan’s 14th over. Thakur dropped Jurel twice in that over, but he bounced back with three fours and a six to finish undefeated on 52 off 34 balls. Samson’s innings was less risky; he finished the game unscathed on 71 from just 33 deliveries, including a six over fine leg.
KL Rahul On The Loss
The LSG skipper also discusses why he kept back Ravi Bishnoi until “it was a bit too late” for him to make an impact in the pursuit after the team’s defeat to the Royals.
According to KL Rahul, the Lucknow Super Giants lost their home game against the Rajasthan Royals because they were unable to maximize their total.
After the game, Rahul said to the host broadcaster, “We left about 20 runs behind.” “We didn’t get off to an ideal start but the partnership that me and Deepak Hooda had [got us on track].”
After being sent to bat, LSG was down to 11 for 2, but because to Rahul and Hooda’s 115-run partnership off 62 balls for the third wicket, they were able to rally and keep up a strong run rate. In the three overs before Hooda fell for a 31-ball fifty, the pair hammered 45. Rahul continued, but he was unable to put the finishing touches in. He was out in the eighteenth over, and LSG could only produce twenty-five runs in the next three overs to end up at 196 for 5.
We could have finished at 220 if Hooda and I had continued to bat and scored 20 more runs after we were set. However, as more games are being played, it is becoming more and more evident that it is crucial for the batters to provide the bowlers with an extra cushion.
“They [RR] bowled brilliantly in the last few overs, and at the end of the 15th over, we were comfortably ahead at 150 for 3. Therefore, I believe we could have scored 20–25 runs more and capitalized a little bit more.”
RR started the chase strongly, but LSG rallied and quickly removed the highly effective three of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag, leaving them 78 for 3 in the ninth. Playing his first game of the season, legspinner Amit Mishra was called on as the Impact Player and got Parag with his fourth ball. Mishra did not bowl again after his second over, the eleventh, went for 12.
Krunal Pandya, a left-arm spinner, was out of the game after 15 overs, but Ravi Bishnoi, a legspinner for LSG who has been in all nine of their games this season, was not given a chance to bowl until the 16th over. The equation then said that 53 needed off 30 with seven wickets remaining. Rahul gave an explanation for why Mishra was promoted to the XI while Bishnoi was kept out.
“Mishra is an experienced player and we’ve been thinking about using him from the first game,” Rahul stated. “With his slow bowling and slightly broader boundary, we felt that he could be effective against their middle-order batting today. Our plan was to employ him in that way, with the intention of using Bishnoi in the second half.
“However, once the runs started coming in, they just made sure to put pressure on our bowlers, even after they lost wickets… For two or three overs, Krunal bowled really effectively, and we really put a lot of pressure on them.
“But, the batters used the pace really well once the faster bowlers came on, so I was unable to find a decent moment to bring in Bishnoi, and by the time I did, I believe it was a little too late. Naturally, the strategy was to retain him in the middle of the field and ensure that he bowled well against Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer when they came up to bat. That was our intended usage for the legspinners.
Jurel’s Impact on Royals’ IPL Journey
In the fast-paced world of IPL cricket, players like Dhruv Jurel often face a dual reality of challenges and opportunities. Despite a quieter start to the season, Jurel’s standout performance against Lucknow Super Giants showcased his immense potential and the strategic depth of Rajasthan Royals’ lineup.
Jurel’s innings, marked by a maiden T20 fifty, not only contributed significantly to a crucial victory but also exemplified the trust and belief the Royals have in their players. His partnership with captain Sanju Samson demonstrated the team’s collective approach to success, where each player steps up when needed.
One of the strategic decisions that came to the forefront was Jurel’s role as a middle-order batter, a position often associated with unique challenges in T20 cricket. Royals’ faith in Jurel’s abilities, despite a series of single-digit scores earlier in the season, paid off handsomely as he delivered under pressure.
Moreover, Jurel’s adaptability and potential were evident as he seamlessly transitioned into a key role during a critical phase of the match, showcasing his ability to handle tough situations with composure and skill.
The Royals’ management’s decision to persist with Jurel at No. 5, despite initial setbacks, reflects their long-term vision and confidence in nurturing young talent. As the team continues its impressive winning streak in the IPL, Jurel’s contribution adds another dimension to their formidable lineup, creating a winning formula that’s gaining momentum with each game.
In conclusion, Dhruv Jurel’s recent performance highlights the intricate balance between challenges and rewards in professional cricket, showcasing the importance of strategic planning and player development in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL.
