Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 IPL
Rajasthan Royals take on Lucknow Super Giants in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
The match is scheduled to start at 7.30pm local time (3pm BST) on Wednesday, April 19.
The match will be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
An important three-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans last time out sees Rajasthan Royals come into this fixture with momentum befitting the current league leaders. Looking for their fourth victory in as many matches, Rajasthan will be hoping for a more convincing all-round performance against a team which will prove their stiffest competition to date.
Nipping at the Royals' heels placed second in the table, Lucknow Super Giants will seek to get back to winning ways after losing by two wickets to Punjab Kings in their previous fixture. Expect a set of resurgent Super Giants, who know a victory will send them level on points with leaders Rajasthan.
KL Rahul of Lucknow Super Giants [AFP via Getty Images]
After pulling off an improbable comeback victory against Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals fans will be pleased to hear there are no new injury concerns to report. In the wake of important cameos from Dhruv Jurel (18 from 10) with the bat and Sandeep Sharma (2 for 25) with the ball, expect them to retain their places alongside the cornerstones of Rajasthan's IPL success to date in Shimron Hetmyer and Sanju Samson.
The Quinton de Kock question still hangs over Lucknow Super Giants after the South African remained unselected in their previous loss against Punjab Kings. Elsewhere, expect Yudhvir Singh to keep his place after a stellar debut in a losing effort after leading Lucknow's bowling attack with figures of 2 for 19.
Their pedigree may be proven, but all eyes will be on Rajasthan Royals's top order to deliver the goods in this top-of-the-table clash. The talismanic Jos Buttler will hope to bounce back after recording only his second duck in IPL cricket in their last match. A blemish on the record of the Englishman's prolific start to the competition, expect Buttler's contribution to be decisive. Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, has faltered of late, something he'll hope to rectify in emphatic fashion.
Looking to their international talent for inspiration, if Rajasthan's bowling attack get the better of Lucknow Super Giants' core of international batters, the game could be less competitive than initially hoped. Nicholas Pooran collected a golden duck against Punjab last time out, something he'll need to rectify as Rajasthan look to move four points clear at the top of the points table.
Matches played: 2
Rajasthan Royals wins: 2
Lucknow Super Giants wins: 0
Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze are expected in Jaipur, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius.
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Jos Buttler (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa, Jason Holder, Donovan Ferreira (wk), Kunal Rathore, Adam Zampa, KM Asif, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vashisht, Abdul PA, Joe Root
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Ayush Badoni, Karan Sharma, Manan Vohra, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, Deepak Hooda, Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Nicholas Pooran, Jaydev Unadkat, Yash Thakur, Romario Shepherd, Daniel Sams, Amit Mishra, Prerak Mankad, Swapnil Singh, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yudhvir Charak
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (c, wk), Dhruv Chand Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Sharma
Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mark Wood
Rajasthan go into the fixture as 8/11 favourites in places, while Lucknow have a best price of 11/10 for the win.
With four consecutive victories to their names, the momentum clearly lies with Rajasthan Royals. Given this, and the fact Jos Buttler will have the bit between his teeth to make amends for failing to trouble the scorers in his previous innings, Rajasthan will overcome Lucknow Super Giants in this one.
In the UK, Sky Sports have exclusive rights to this year's tournament, with matches available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
Fans in India can watch all the action on Star Sports.
Elsewhere in the world, viewers in Australia can watch the IPL on Fox Sports while in New Zealand, Sky Sport will provide coverage.
Willow TV and Flow Sports will broadcast the tournament in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively.
Fans in MENA can catch the action on beIN Sports while in South Africa, SuperSport have the rights.
If you are watching from the Middle East, you'll be able to view the game on Times Internet.
People from Bangladesh can watch the game on Gazi TV.
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