Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants 36th Match Preview & Prediction | IPL 2025

Match Information

• Match: Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), 36th Match, Indian Premier League 2025
• Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
• Time: 11:00 PM
• Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

IPL 2025 Points Table (as of April 17, 2025)

• RR Position: 8th (2 wins, 5 losses, 4 points, NRR -0.714)
• LSG Position: 5th (4 wins, 3 losses, 8 points, NRR +0.086)

Recent Performance

Rajasthan Royals (RR): W W L L L

• April 16, 2025 vs DC: Match tied (DC won the Super Over)
• April 13, 2025 vs RCB: RCB won by 9 wickets (15 balls remaining)
• April 09, 2025 vs GT: GT won by 58 runs
• April 05, 2025 vs PBKS: RR won by 50 runs
• March 30, 2025 vs CSK: RR won by 6 runs

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): L W W W L

• April 14, 2025 vs CSK: CSK won by 5 wickets (3 balls remaining)
• April 12, 2025 vs GT: LSG won by 6 wickets (3 balls remaining)
• April 08, 2025 vs KKR: LSG won by 4 runs
• April 04, 2025 vs MI: LSG won by 12 runs
• April 01, 2025 vs PBKS: PBKS won by 8 wickets (22 balls remaining)

Observation:

• RR has struggled recently, losing three of their last five matches but showing resilience in a tied game against DC.
• LSG has been more consistent, winning three of their last five, despite a recent loss to CSK.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)

1. RR won by 7 wickets (6 balls remaining)
2. RR won by 20 runs
3. LSG won by 10 runs
4. RR won by 24 runs
5. RR won by 3 runs

• Record: RR leads 4-1
• Note: These matches are from previous seasons, and with new squads in IPL 2025, historical dominance may be less relevant.

Squads

Rajasthan Royals Playing Squad:

• Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Dhruv Jurel, Kunal Singh Rathore, Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana
• All-rounders: Yudhvir Singh Charak, Wanindu Hasaranga
• Bowlers: Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ashok Sharma, Jofra Archer

Lucknow Super Giants Playing Squad:

• Batsmen: Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Himmat Singh, Matthew Breetzke
• All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Singh, RS Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary
• Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Manimaran Siddharth, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Mohsin Khan

Match Preview

The 36th match of IPL 2025 brings Rajasthan Royals (RR) face-to-face with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. RR, languishing in 8th place with just 2 wins in 7 matches, desperately needs a victory to revive their campaign. LSG, sitting comfortably at 5th with 4 wins in 7 matches, aims to maintain their momentum and push for a top-four finish.

The Jaipur pitch is known for offering early assistance to fast bowlers due to some green cover, but it typically becomes batsman-friendly as the game progresses. Dew is likely to influence the second innings, potentially favoring the chasing team. RR’s home advantage could be a factor, as they’ve shown competitiveness at this venue, tying their last match against DC. LSG, however, brings a more balanced recent form and a potent squad bolstered by high-profile acquisitions like Rishabh Pant.

RR boasts a strong batting lineup with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer, complemented by a versatile bowling attack featuring Sandeep Sharma, Wanindu Hasaranga, and the possible inclusion of Jofra Archer. LSG counters with an explosive batting core of Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, and David Miller, backed by a pace-heavy bowling unit led by Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan, with Ravi Bishnoi providing spin options.

AI Simulation and Prediction

To predict the winner, we’ll evaluate key factors:

1. Current Form:
   • LSG: 3 wins in last 5 matches (L W W W L)
   • RR: 2 wins in last 5 matches (W W L L L, plus a tied game)
   • Edge: LSG has been more consistent recently.
2. Head-to-Head:
   • RR has won 4 of the last 5 encounters, but these results predate the 2025 squad changes.
   • Edge: Historical advantage to RR, though less relevant with new teams.
3. Venue and Conditions:
   • Sawai Mansingh Stadium is RR’s home ground, giving them familiarity with the pitch.
   • The pitch aids pacers early but favors batsmen later, with dew likely benefiting the team batting second.
   • Edge: Slight advantage to RR due to home conditions, but toss could be crucial.
4. Squad Strength:
   • RR Batting: Jaiswal’s aggression, Samson’s consistency, and Hetmyer’s finishing make it formidable.
   • RR Bowling: Sandeep’s economy, Hasaranga’s spin, and Archer’s potential (if fit) add depth.
   • LSG Batting: Pant’s dynamism, Pooran’s power, and Miller’s experience offer firepower.
   • LSG Bowling: Mayank Yadav’s pace and Bishnoi’s spin are strengths, though spin options are limited.
   • Edge: LSG’s batting has more match-winners, but RR’s bowling is more varied.
5. Key Players:
   • RR: Jaiswal and Samson must fire; Archer’s fitness is a wildcard.
   • LSG: Pant and Pooran are game-changers; Mayank Yadav could disrupt RR’s top order.
   • Edge: LSG’s key players have higher impact potential.
6. Toss Factor:
   • With dew expected, the team bowling first may exploit early conditions, while the chasing side benefits later.
   • Likely strategy: Bowl first if winning the toss.

Simulation Scenario:

• If RR bats first: Jaiswal and Samson could set a competitive total (160-180), but LSG’s chasing prowess with Pant and Pooran might overhaul it under dew.
• If LSG bats first: Pooran and Pant could post a big score (170-190), challenging RR’s batting against Mayank Yadav’s pace.

Given LSG’s better form (4 wins vs RR’s 2) and superior Net Run Rate (+0.086 vs -0.714), they appear more confident. RR’s home advantage and historical edge are notable, but their recent struggles suggest vulnerability. LSG’s batting depth and pace attack tilt the scales slightly in their favor.

Final Prediction

This match is poised to be a close contest, with the toss and dew playing significant roles. However, based on current form, squad balance, and key player impact, Lucknow Super Giants are predicted to emerge victorious. RR could upset the odds if their top order clicks and Archer delivers, but LSG’s consistency gives them the edge.

Predicted Winner: Lucknow Super Giants