Rajasthan Royals pick 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi as Impact Player vs LSG

Rishabh Pant, captain of Lucknow Super Giants, won the toss and opted to bat first against Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Saturday.

In a significant development for Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag took on the role of stand-in captain, as regular skipper Sanju Samson was ruled out due to a side strain sustained during the previous match. Parag, known for his aggressive middle-order batting, has now been entrusted with leading the team on short notice, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the match was the inclusion of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi among Rajasthan Royals` five Impact Player options. If selected to play, Suryavanshi could make history by becoming the youngest cricketer ever to participate in the IPL. His selection underscores the franchise`s commitment to nurturing young talent and investing in the future of Indian cricket.

On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants made a solitary change to their playing XI, bringing in right-arm pacer Prince Yadav in place of Akash Deep. The move is seen as a tactical adjustment aimed at strengthening their pace attack on what is expected to be a batting-friendly surface. Yadav, who has been making waves in the domestic circuit, will look to make an immediate impact in the high-stakes match.

With both teams dealing with key changes, the match promises to be an exciting affair. Rajasthan will be looking to maintain momentum despite the absence of their skipper, while Lucknow hopes to capitalize on their decision to bat first and post a challenging total. The spotlight, however, remains on the possibility of witnessing history should young Suryavanshi make his debut.

LSG vs RR: Teams at a glance

Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (w/c), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan.

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (w), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande