RR vs LSG Preview | Who Will Win Today’s PSL 2025 Clash | Preview, Playing XI, Dream11 Fantasy Tips, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, Winning Prediction | PIL 2025 36th Match

Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants – IPL 2025 Match 36 Preview: Can RR Bounce Back or Will LSG Tighten the Noose?

With the IPL 2025 season heating up, Rajasthan Royals (RR) find themselves in a situation they wouldn’t have anticipated at the halfway stage. Just four points from seven games, a captain nursing an injury, and glaring issues in both batting and bowling make their task against a surging Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 19 in Jaipur a must-win fixture. While LSG sit more comfortably with four wins from seven matches, this game carries significant playoff implications for both franchises.

Rajasthan Royals' Woes: A Captain in Doubt and a Season on the Brink

RR’s story this season has been a downward spiral. The top order, sans Yashasvi Jaiswal, has struggled to fire consistently. Sanju Samson’s latest side strain, which forced him to retire hurt in the last game against Delhi Capitals, could not have come at a worse time. With his availability uncertain, RR may have to turn to Riyan Parag again to lead the side an arrangement they had at the start of the season when Samson was recovering from a finger injury.

But this time, the stakes are higher. A loss here would put RR in a situation where they might have to win nearly all of their remaining games to stay in playoff contention. Given their current form, that’s a mountain few would bet on them to climb.

The replacement conundrum for Samson is a headache too. Kunal Rathore and Shubham Dubey are in the squad but haven’t had significant exposure at the top of the order. They might also consider reshuffling the existing lineup perhaps pushing Parag or Nitish Rana up to open and inserting Dubey in the middle. But it’s a gamble either way.

LSG: Quietly Climbing the Table with Steady Performances

While Rajasthan's form graph is dipping, Lucknow Super Giants have been quietly building momentum. Four wins from seven and a potential fifth could take them to double digits and strengthen their playoff credentials. Their form has been powered by the explosive hitting of Nicholas Pooran and the consistency of Mitchell Marsh, who together have amassed over 650 runs.

Adding to their arsenal is the return of Mayank Yadav, the 2024 pace sensation who clocked speeds north of 150 km/h and picked up seven wickets in just four games last year. After injuries sidelined him for months, his return could not have been timed better. LSG's pace battery already includes Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur, and Mayank’s inclusion only increases their bite with the ball.

Their spin department, too, has done more than just contain. Ravi Bishnoi and Digvesh Singh Rathi have provided crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, with Rathi picking up nine wickets already this season. Add to that Rishabh Pant’s calming influence and growing confidence with the bat, and LSG look a balanced, playoff-ready unit.

The Jaipur Equation: How Will the Pitch Behave?

Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has hosted just one game so far in this IPL season. The pitch, slightly two-paced in that match, saw Rajasthan go down by nine wickets to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Historically, the venue hasn’t been known for massive totals, with the average first-innings score post-2023 being around 179.

But with temperatures expected to touch 39°C during the day and ease in the evening, dew could play a factor in the second innings. Winning the toss and bowling first might be the preferred choice, especially considering the chasing records at this ground in recent years.

Key Battles and Matchups to Watch

One of the most intriguing individual duels could be Jofra Archer vs Nicholas Pooran. Archer has dismissed Pooran three times in T20s, conceding just 39 runs in 36 balls. For a team desperate to find breakthroughs in the powerplay and middle overs, Archer vs Pooran could shape RR’s fate.

Similarly, Bishnoi’s match-up against Shimron Hetmyer is lopsided in favor of the leggie. Three dismissals in six innings and an average of just 8 for Hetmyer against Bishnoi shows this could be a defining encounter in the middle overs.

For RR, Yashasvi Jaiswal is the lone beacon of hope. After a slow start, he has begun to click two back-to-back fifties and a strong record in Jaipur should give RR fans something to hold onto. However, he’ll need more than just individual brilliance to pull RR out of the quicksand.

Squads and Team News

If Samson doesn't pass the fitness test, Dhruv Jurel is expected to keep wickets, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Dubey might slot in. Tushar Deshpande could make way for Akash Madhwal or Yudhvir Singh Charak in the playing XI.

LSG are expected to be near full strength with Mayank Yadav likely to play. Akash Deep might be the one to sit out.

Probable XI - Rajasthan Royals:
Sanju Samson (c and wk) / Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Akash Madhwal

Probable XI - Lucknow Super Giants:
Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c and wk), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi