JAIPUR, India, March 25, (AP): Sanju Samson scored 82 not out off 52 balls as Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs to make a winning start in cricket's lucrative Indian Premier League, and Gujarat Titans did enough in the final over to defeat Mumbai Indians by six runs.

Samson’s half-century helped anchor the Royals’ innings, as the team reached 193-4 in 20 overs.
In reply, Nicholas Pooran’s 64 not out went in vain as Lucknow faltered in its chase to end up with 173-6. Skipper Lokesh Rahul scored 58 off 44 balls.

Opting to bat first, Rajasthan made a speedy start but also lost its openers early. Jos Buttler was caught behind for 11 and rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal made 24 off 12 balls, including three fours and a six, before chipping a catch straight to mid on.

With the score at 49-2 in five overs, Samson came together with Riyan Parag, who was promoted to No. 4 after showing good domestic form, and it paid off.
The duo added 93 off 59 balls for the third wicket, with Parag scoring 43 off 29 balls. He hit three sixes to provide a launch pad for Samson at the other end.

Samson scored 50 off 30, including two fours and four sixes. He hit another two sixes, adding another 32 runs off the last 22 balls he faced.
Afghanistan pacer Naveen ul Haq picked up 2-41 in four overs, including Parag who was out caught in the 15th over.

While Shimron Hetmyer was out cheaply to Ravi Bishnoi’s wrist spin, Dhruv Jurel hit 20 not out off 12 balls.
Samson and Jurel added 43 off 22 as the Royals finished strongly.
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult (2-35) then provided two early breakthroughs as Lucknow was down to 11-3 in 3.1 overs.

Quinton de Kock was caught for four, while Devdutt Padikkal - who had transferred from Rajasthan to Lucknow in the winter window - was bowled for a three-ball duck.
Impact substitute Nandre Burger had Ayush Badoni caught behind for just one but Rahul and Deepak Hooda resisted with a 49-run partnership off 26 balls for the fourth wicket.

Just when things appeared to look settled, wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Hooda who had come in as an impact sub. He scored a 13-ball 26s.
Pooran and Rahul added 85 off 52 balls for the fifth wicket, and their partnership put Lucknow back on track.
Rahul scored 50 off 35 deliveries, while Pooran got to 50 off 30 balls, as the chase looked on with 49 runs needed off the last four overs.