The Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mohammed Shami had drawn first blood against the Rajasthan Royals as he picked up back-to-back wickets in his second over. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been one of the most dominant opening pairs in the season. It was important for the Lucknow Super Giants to get rid of at least one of them to limit the damage in the powerplay. Mohammed Shami proved to be the man of the moment as he got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel in consecutive deliveries.

The Rajasthan Royals did seem to lose their way in their last couple of matches after having a strong start in the tournament. They looked determined to get back to winning ways and the men at the top were entrusted with the responsibility to score runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavansi and Dhruv Jurel have been amongst the runs this season. The Royals batting unit has been based around them and today their middle order has been exposed quite early.

Back-to-back wickets of Jaiswal and Jurel put LSG firmly in control of powerplay

The Lucknow Super Giants had won the toss and Rishabh Pant elected to field first. The LSG bowling unit were handed a major boost as Mayank Yadav had returned to their squad. With the addition of the young speedster, their pace attack now consists of Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav. But they had to face the strong top order of the Rajasthan Royals, as they have been breathing fire in the tournament. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryanshi have been almost impossible to contain as they have gotten off to strong starts. Mohammed Shami was decent in the first over but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi started his night with a couple of boundaries off Prince Yadav’s over.

Mohammed Shami was back to bowl his 2nd over and he knew that he had to break the opening partnership. He bowled a cracking bouncer to Yashasvi Jaiswal and it took an edge off his glove straight to Rishabh Pant, who took a splendid catch. Then came in Dhruv Jurel, who also had some runs under his stride. Shami then bowled an absolute snorter to dismiss Dhruv Jurel. LSG were in control of the power play with some excellent bowling by Mohammed Shami.

The Rajasthan Royals have lost half their side for 88 but they still do have Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja. Just like the game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the duo will have to stitch together a strong partnership to set a defendable total on board.