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Archer's 3-20 Fires RR to 40-Run Win Over Listless LSG in IPL 2026

Jofra Archer's brilliant spell of 3-20 spearheaded a superb bowling performance from Rajasthan Royals, who successfully defended a modest 159 runs. Lucknow Super Giants' chase never recovered from early wickets, including a duck for captain Rishabh Pant, slumping to 16/3 in the Powerplay. Despite a fighting half-century from Mitchell Marsh, LSG's middle order crumbled and they were bowled out for 119 in 18 overs. The comprehensive 40-run victory marks RR's first away win of the season and pushes them to second place in the IPL 2026 points table.

Key Points: RR Defend 159 vs LSG in IPL 2026 as Archer Takes 3-20

  • RR defend season's lowest total (159)
  • Archer leads attack with 3-20
  • LSG slump to 4th straight loss
  • Mitchell Marsh's 55 in vain
  • RR move to 2nd in points table
3 min read

IPL 2026: Terrific Archer picks 3-20 as RR defend 159, beat listless LSG by 40 runs

Jofra Archer's 3-20 leads Rajasthan Royals' bowling masterclass to defend 159 & beat Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs in IPL 2026.

"A terrific Jofra Archer picked 3-20 as Rajasthan Royals' bowlers produced a masterclass - Match Report"

Lucknow, April 22

A terrific Jofra Archer picked 3-20 as Rajasthan Royals' bowlers produced a masterclass in successfully defending a modest total to defeat Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs in their Indian Premier League 2026 encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Defending 159, the lowest score defended in this season, RR's bowlers were right on the money from the word go, and backed by some superb fielding, they consigned LSG to their fourth consecutive loss of the season.

Archer found support in Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma, who picked two scalps each, while Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi had one wicket each as LSG were bowled out for just 119 in 18 overs, as RR have made a move to second place in the points table.

LSG's chase began chaotically - on the final ball of the opening over, Ayush Badoni was run out for a duck following a massive mix-up. Captain Rishabh Pant's inconsistent run continued when he fell for a three-ball duck in the second over, top-edging off Burger to the keeper Dhruv Jurel.

With head coach Justin Langer going to the dressing room from the dugout, the nightmare deepened for LSG when Archer returned to remove Aiden Markram for a duck with a steep bouncer, leaving them reeling at 16/3. By the end of the Powerplay, despite a six from Marsh, LSG were gasping at 31/3.

Mitchell Marsh fought a lonely battle, reaching a 39-ball fifty, but found no support. Nicholas Pooran (22) holed out to long-on off Ravindra Jadeja, as the middle-order crumbled under the pressure of a rising required run rate.

Ravi Bishnoi entered the fray to clean up Himmat Singh (15) with a quicker delivery, before Burger returned in the 16th over to claim the big scalp of Marsh, who made 55 off 42 balls laced with six fours and two sixes. Brijesh effectively ended the contest in the 17th over by removing Mukul Choudhary and Mohammed Shami in quick succession.

Archer then returned to apply the finishing touches - a spectacular catch from Jurel led to the dismissal of Mayank Yadav before he flattened Mohsin Khan's middle stump with a pacy delivery to end LSG's misery and give RR their first away win of the ongoing season.

Brief scores:

Rajasthan Royals 159/6 in 20 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 43 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 22; Mohsin Khan 2-17, Prince Yadav 2-29) beat Lucknow Super Giants 119 in 18 overs (Mitchell Marsh 55, Nicholas Pooran 22; Jofra Archer 3-20, Brijesh Sharma 2-18) by 40 runs

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
LSG's batting was so disappointing. Four losses in a row? Rishabh Pant needs to lead from the front, not get out for a duck. The run-out of Badoni in the first over set the tone for a pathetic chase. Time for some serious team changes.
V
Vikram M
Mitchell Marsh played a lone hand, but it was like watching a one-man army. 55 runs while the rest crumbled. LSG's Indian middle order needs to step up. Where is the fight? Credit to RR's fielding too, they were electric.
R
Rohit P
Brijesh Sharma and Nandre Burger were excellent support acts. It's not just about Archer. This shows RR has a balanced attack. Good to see them moving up the table. The Ekana pitch wasn't a batting paradise, but 119 all out is just poor.
S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, this was a fantastic display of defensive bowling. Setting attacking fields and bowling to them. Justin Langer must be furious in that dressing room. LSG's season is slipping away very quickly.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I think the article focuses too much on Archer (who was brilliant). But Jadeja's 43* was crucial in getting RR to 159. That was a proper all-rounder's innings on a tricky track. He doesn't always get the credit he deserves.
N

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