Rajasthan Royals (RR) are hosting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a must-win game in Jaipur on Tuesday (May 19). A win here will see RR keeping their playoff hopes alive while a defeat will all but end their campaign. The home team suffered a blow before the game as Riyan Parag was ruled out. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has captained RR in one match so far, is once again leading the franchise. He is playing his second game as RR’s captain. Speaking at the toss, Jaiswal revealed that Riyan is once again down with a hamstring injury.
Ravindra Jadeja, who was rested for the previous game, is out with niggles. Sandeep Sharma made his much-awaited return to the playing XI along with Sushant Mishra and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
“We are going to bowl first and I feel like it’s a good wicket. Later on, there will be some dew, I hope. So, we are going to chase. (On being the captain) it means a lot to me and it’s proud always to represent the Rajasthan Royals franchise. (on Riyan Parag) He had some hamstring injury and he’ll be fine soon, I hope so. So, he’s not playing this game. We have three changes. Sandy, Sushant Mishra and Lhuan-dre Pretorius come in,” Jaiswal said.
“I think we all are speaking to everyone and I think the mindset and attitude what we will bring out into the ground and just enjoy the game. (on their winless record in Jaipur) I think I’ll just smile and enjoy the game and play. That said, I think it’s a wonderful, wonderful day and we have the opportunity to play good cricket. So we are going to enjoy the game. (On Jadeja) Nothing much at the moment. Jaddu bhai is recovering. He has some niggles, But he’ll be fine soon,” he added.
Lucknow Super Giants also had a couple of changes. Ayush Badoni made his return to the playing XI along with Mohsin Khan. “Pretty confident, we know this is a good wicket to bat on. Happy to either bat or bowl first. Definitely, as I said in the last few games, we have a lot to play for. As a team, we take pride and confidence in playing every match for our fans,” said LSG captain Rishabh Pant.
“At the same time, we want to put our best foot forward because we know we have a good team and we can do it. Aiden (Markram) is not there because he has gone (home) for his personal thing. And just one more, Shami is not playing and Mohsin is playing. Badoni comes in for Aiden,” he added.
Here are playing XIs of both teams
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal (Captain), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sushant Mishra, Sandeep Sharma, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja
Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant (Captain), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Akash Maharaj Singh, Prince Yadav.
