Despite a hand injury on the final ball, Avesh Khan’s death-bowling brilliance seals dramatic win for Lucknow Super Giants over Rajasthan Royals
Jaipur, April 20:
Avesh Khan emerged as the hero for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after delivering a match-defining final over to help his team clinch a nail-biting two-run win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-voltage IPL 2025 encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.
Defending nine runs off the final over, Avesh showcased nerves of steel and impeccable yorker execution, sealing victory despite taking a painful blow to his hand on the last delivery.
“Just Want to Be a Good Avesh Khan” – Avesh on Starc Comparisons
Speaking at the post-match presentation, the 27-year-old pacer said:
“My hand is good; the ball hit the bone so I could not celebrate. I don’t want to become Mitchell Starc, I just want to become a good Avesh Khan. Yorker is my strength, and I try to execute it, no matter the scorecard.”
Avesh’s match-winning spell of 3/37, including two crucial wickets in the 18th over and a composed final over under pressure, earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
LSG’s First Innings Powered by Markram, Badoni and Samad
After opting to bat, LSG posted a challenging total of 180/5, courtesy of solid half-centuries from Aiden Markram (66 off 45) and Ayush Badoni (50 off 34). A late blitz from *Abdul Samad (30 off 10 balls)**, who smashed four sixes in the final overs, gave the team a strong finish.
RR’s bowling attack was led by Wanindu Hasaranga, who returned with figures of 2/31.
RR’s Valiant Chase Falls Just Short
In reply, RR started confidently, with debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi (34 off 20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (74 off 52) adding 85 runs for the opening wicket. Jaiswal later stitched another crucial 62-run stand with Riyan Parag (39 off 26), keeping RR in the hunt.
But it was Avesh Khan’s final over — which included the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer and just six runs conceded — that proved to be the game-changer, restricting RR to 178/5.
Points Table Update
- LSG rise to 4th spot with five wins from eight matches.
- RR remain at 8th, suffering their sixth loss of the season.
Brief Scores:
LSG 180/5 (Markram 66, Badoni 50, Samad 30; Hasaranga 2/31)*
RR 178/5 (Jaiswal 74, Parag 39; Avesh Khan 3/37)
Result: Lucknow Super Giants won by 2 runs.