Three Ducks, One Collapse: Archer’s Firestorm Powers RR to 40-Run Win Over LSG

Rajasthan Royals produced a dominant and disciplined performance to defeat Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs in Match 32 of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Stadium, a contest defined by a ruthless bowling display and a top-order collapse for the ages .

Batting first, Rajasthan posted 159 for 6 , a total built on smart cricket rather than brute force. The pitch offered grip and variable bounce , making free strokeplay difficult, but RR adapted through intelligent strike rotation and timely acceleration. Ravindra Jadeja provided a crucial late flourish with an unbeaten 43 off 29 balls , lifting the total to a competitive level in the final overs, a score that looked beyond RR at the halfway stage.

In response, Lucknow's chase fell apart before it had even begun. Ayush Badoni was run out off Archer's first over in a freakish dismissal. The ball ricocheting off his thigh pad to give the fielder a simple direct-hit chance. Archer then turned predator. Nandre Burger removed Rishabh Pant for a duck , before Archer extracted a steep bounce to send Aiden Markram back for another duck , with Dhruv Jurel completing a comfortable catch behind the stumps. Three ducks, 12 runs on the board, and the match was effectively over as a contest.

Despite the chaos, Mitchell Mars h fought with admirable composure, stroking a fluent 55 off 41 balls and attempting to drag LSG back into the game. He had little support, however, and Nicholas Pooran , backed despite managing just 51 runs across six innings this season, lasted only 22 off 25 before holing out to Jadeja at long-on.

Archer was in rip-roaring form throughout, bowling bouncers clocked at 151 kph and dismantling whatever resistance LSG attempted to build. Burger complemented him expertly, maintaining pressure from the other end and ensuring the powerplay damage was irreversible.

LSG were eventually bowled out for 119 , handing Rajasthan Royals a convincing 40-run victory , and a timely reminder, after two successive defeats, of exactly what this side is capable of.