The Rajasthan contingent is advancing in a log-leading formation

Captain Sanju Samson achieved an unbeaten 71 as the Rajasthan Royals secured their playoff spot with a seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants.

The hosts posted 196-5, with KL Rahul contributing 76 runs and a 115-run partnership with Deepak Hooda, who made 50 runs.

Lucknow suffered an early setback, losing two wickets after New Zealand’s left-arm quick Trent Boult dismissed Quinton de Kock for eight, and Sandeep Sharma bowled Marcus Stoinis for a duck.

Rahul and Hooda stabilized the innings and then mounted a comeback effort, but it was not sufficient to overcome the formidable challenge posed by Dhruv Jurel, who scored 52, and Samson, who steered the table-toppers Rajasthan to victory with one over remaining for their eighth win in nine matches.