The 64th match of IPL 2026 will see Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday evening at 7:30 PM. The encounter is crucial for Rajasthan, who are still fighting to stay alive in the playoff race, while Lucknow have already been eliminated from contention.

Rajasthan enter this match under pressure, sitting sixth on the points table with 12 points. Despite flashes of strong performances this season, their biggest concern has been their poor home record, as they are yet to win a single match at their home ground in Jaipur this year. With only one league game left after this against Mumbai Indians on May 24, this fixture becomes a virtual knockout for them.

Lucknow Super Giants, on the other hand, are playing for pride after being knocked out of playoff contention. However, they remain a dangerous side capable of upsetting stronger opponents, as shown in their recent win over Chennai Super Kings on May 15.

Head-to-head advantage with Rajasthan

Historically, Rajasthan Royals have dominated this rivalry. The two teams have faced each other seven times in IPL history, with RR winning five matches and LSG winning two. In their previous meeting this season at the Ekana Stadium, Rajasthan secured a victory, giving them a psychological edge going into this contest.

Rajasthan’s batting depends on young talent

Rajasthan’s batting lineup has revolved around young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has been their standout performer this season. The 15-year-old has scored 486 runs in 12 matches at an explosive strike rate of 234.78, making him the team’s leading run scorer.

However, the lack of consistent support from Yashasvi Jaiswal has hurt Rajasthan’s top-order stability. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has shown glimpses of form but has struggled to play freely due to frequent early wickets falling around him.

Captain Riyan Parag, who initially struggled in the first half of the tournament, has regained form in recent matches. However, he is currently managing a hamstring issue, which could affect his performance in this crucial fixture. Rajasthan will be hoping for a more mature finish in the final overs to post or chase competitive totals. In the bowling department, Jofra Archer has been their standout performer with 17 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 9.09, playing a key role in restricting opposition batting lineups.

Lucknow aim to play spoiler role

Although out of the playoff race, Lucknow Super Giants will enter the match with no pressure and the freedom to experiment. They have already shown their ability to upset top teams, having defeated Chennai Super Kings in their previous outing. Mitchell Marsh has been their most consistent batter this season, scoring 467 runs in 12 matches. He played a match-winning knock of 90 runs against CSK, proving his match-winning potential.

Captain Rishabh Pant has had a mixed season, struggling to find consistency and even missing out on batting in the last match due to tactical changes. Despite this, he remains a key figure in Lucknow’s lineup. With the ball, Prince Yadav has been their top wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 12 matches. However, Lucknow’s overall bowling attack has lacked consistency throughout the season.

Pitch and conditions

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch is expected to assist fast bowlers early in the innings due to swing and bounce with the new ball. However, as the game progresses, batting becomes easier thanks to a quick outfield.The average first-innings score at this venue is around 166, while second-innings scores typically range between 150 and 160. Out of 67 IPL matches played here, teams batting second have won 43 times, indicating a strong chasing advantage.

Weather update

Jaipur is expected to remain hot and dry during the match. The temperature may reach up to 42°C during the day and drop to around 28°C at night. No rain is expected, ensuring a full game without interruptions.