The 36th game of the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 would pit the Rajasthan Royals against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
In their most recent match, the Men in Pink suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Delhi Capitals (DC), losing the match in a super over. At one point during the game, RR had a chance to win, but they lost steam, which resulted in their sixth defeat of the year.
Before facing Chennai Super Kings (CSK), LSG had encountered a loss however they occupy a stable ranking position in the table by securing eight points through their four victories against three defeats.
Here are the top three player fights to look out for, as both sides are hoping to resume their winning ways:
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Digvesh Rathi
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored three fifties in the last four innings and is skilled against spin, is expected to face off against LSG bowlers. Digvesh Rathi, who has been seen bowling in the powerplay, is also expected to face off.
He came. He dealt in boundaries. He JaisBalled. 👏 pic.twitter.com/i1V6s78Z8c
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 16, 2025Digvesh Rathi has also been seen bowling in the powerplay, and there is a good probability that these two players could face off. With Rathi gaining prominence for taking wickets of some of the top players, Jaiswal’s wicket may prompt him to perform his signature celebration.
2. Shimron Hetmyer vs Ravi Bishnoi
Shimron Hetmyer, RR’s finisher, is a power batter who has scored 1849 runs off 1585 deliveries against spinners in T20s while being removed 74 times in 187 innings. On the other side, he’s done exceptionally well against pace, scoring 3205 in 2111 balls and being removed 114 times in 212 innings.
He’ll face Ravi Bishnoi if he gets a chance to bat during RR’s innings, and he’s battled against the LSG spinner in the past. The West Indies player has only scored 24 runs off 37 deliveries in six innings against the Indian spinner, falling to him three times in those games.
S̶u̶r̶y̶a̶ N̶a̶m̶a̶s̶k̶a̶r̶ Ravi Pranam 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BxMYA7LNLW
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 16, 2025Given Hetmyer and Bishnoi’s previous confrontations, this will be an interesting duel to witness.
3. Nicholas Pooran vs Wanindu Hasaranga
Caribbean batsman Nicholas Pooran is in excellent form, and every bowler will be wary of him. He’s been hitting pacers and spinners equally effectively, and it’ll be difficult for RR bowlers to hold him in control.
Meanwhile, Hasaranga hasn’t looked particularly good with the ball. In his four-over spell, he allowed 38 runs and took Abishek Porel’s only wicket against Delhi in the previous game. If he exposes his weaknesses again, Pooran will not be able to stop himself from going all out and intensifying the conflict.
Pooran bhaiya se ishq hi ibaadat hai 💙 pic.twitter.com/zk6w9gLU3E
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 16, 2025The Sri Lankan has twice removed Pooran in seven T20 innings and conceded 31 runs in 20 deliveries against the West Indian.
