Sat Apr 19 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Rajasthan Royals Fall Short in Thriller Against Lucknow
**Jaipur, April 20, 2025** – The Rajasthan Royals suffered a heartbreaking two-run defeat against Lucknow in a final-over thriller on Saturday. This marks the second consecutive match where the Royals have fallen short in the final stages, having lost to Delhi in a Super Over in their previous game.
Lucknow, batting first, posted a challenging 180/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to strong contributions from Markram (66), Badoni (50), and Samad (30*). Rajasthan’s chase began explosively, with 14-year-old debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashing a six off his very first ball. Openers Jaiswal (74) and Suryavanshi (34) put on a rapid 84-run partnership, setting a blistering pace in the powerplay.
However, a late collapse saw Rajasthan needing 20 runs from the final 12 balls. Avesh Khan (3/37) proved to be Lucknow’s hero, taking crucial wickets in the 18th and final overs, restricting Rajasthan to 178/5 and securing a thrilling victory for his team. Khan was named Player of the Match for his exceptional death bowling.
Suryavanshi’s debut was a highlight, making him the youngest player to ever feature in the IPL, surpassing the previous record held by Prithvi Shaw. His fearless approach set the tone early, but ultimately couldn’t prevent the Royals from succumbing to a dramatic loss. The match showcased both exciting batting displays and the nail-biting tension of a closely fought contest.
First Piper 