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Mitchell Marsh’s first IPL fifty of the season could not prevent Lucknow’s fourth straight defeat as Rajasthan’s bowlers took control.
Mitchell Marsh produced his most substantial innings of the season, but the Lucknow Super Giants still slumped to a 40-run loss against the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
Leading from the front, Marsh struck 55 from 41 balls, his first half-century of the campaign, as wickets fell steadily around him.
His dismissal proved pivotal, falling shortly after reaching the milestone when he miscued a wide delivery from Nandre Burger to extra cover.
Lucknow's chase never fully recovered. Despite Marsh's efforts, the innings unravelled under sustained pressure, eventually ending at 119 with overs to spare.
Earlier, Lucknow had been disciplined with the ball, restricting Rajasthan to 6-159 after opting to field. Mohsin Khan led the attack with 2-17, while the early dismissal of rising talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi kept the total in check.
However, a late unbeaten 43 from Ravindra Jadeja added valuable runs and shifted momentum. Jadeja later made an impact with the ball, removing Nicholas Pooran at a crucial stage to halt Lucknow's brief recovery.
From there, Jofra Archer took control. Bowling at high pace, he claimed 3-20 and dismantled the lower order, also becoming Rajasthan's leading wicket-taker with 68 scalps in 54 matches, surpassing Shane Watson and Shane Warne.
The defeat continues a difficult stretch for Lucknow, coached by Justin Langer, who have now lost four consecutive matches and sit ninth on the ladder.
Rajasthan, meanwhile, moved to 10 points, just behind the Punjab Kings, coached by Ricky Ponting.