Bengaluru witnessed a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumph over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an IPL encounter, largely propelled by the performance of their pace bowlers. The match saw RCB secure a 5-wicket victory, successfully chasing down a target of 147 runs. The collective experience of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, combined with the vigor of Rasikh Salam Dar, proved too much for the Super Giants.
The Chinnaswamy pitch, behaving contrary to expectations by being relatively slow, presented a challenge for RCB during their chase. However, Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar navigated the conditions adeptly, setting the stage for a successful pursuit of the target in just 15.1 overs. Kohli’s innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, accelerating the scoring rate early on after Phil Salt’s early dismissal. As per information available with TahirRihat.com, Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal forged a 57-run partnership for the second wicket, with Padikkal contributing a valuable 10 runs before his departure.
Kohli fell just short of his half-century, succumbing to a catch by Nicholas Pooran off Avesh Khan’s bowling at long-on. Patidar then continued the momentum, striking consecutive sixes off Mohammed Shami and another off Prince Yadav, significantly reducing the required run rate. While Patidar and Jitesh Sharma were dismissed in their attempt to hasten the chase, they had already ensured RCB were in a comfortable position to secure the win. The foundation for RCB’s victory was laid earlier in the match by the bowling unit, featuring Salam, Bhuvneshwar, and Hazlewood, who delivered exceptional spells. Salam finished with figures of 4/24, Bhuvneshwar with 3/27, and Hazlewood with 1/20. Despite taking only one wicket, Hazlewood’s contribution during the Power Play was pivotal in restricting LSG to a manageable total of 146.
Adding to LSG’s woes, skipper Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on his left elbow by a Hazlewood delivery. Although Pant briefly returned to bat later in the innings when LSG were struggling at 118 for five after Ayush Badoni’s dismissal, he did not keep wickets, with Mukul Choudhary taking over the duties during RCB’s chase. Hazlewood’s spell in the Power Play, yielding figures of 3-0-10-1, played a crucial role in limiting LSG to just 35 for one. In addition to prematurely ending Pant’s innings, Hazlewood further compounded LSG’s problems by dismissing Pooran, who dragged the ball onto his stumps.
The lengths bowled by Hazlewood, who replaced Jacob Duffy in this match, were so accurate that the LSG batsmen struggled to find scoring opportunities against him. RCB will be relieved to see Hazlewood back in form after a less effective performance against Rajasthan Royals in their previous match. Veteran Bhuvneshwar and Salam provided excellent support, generating significant swing to trouble the LSG batsmen. Mitchell Marsh contributed a 32-ball 40 for LSG, including two sixes off Bhuvneshwar and one off Krunal Pandya. However, Pandya varied his pace, inducing Marsh to reach for the ball, resulting in an edge onto his stumps.
The pitch at the Chinnaswamy stadium played slower compared to previous matches, although it did not present insurmountable challenges for the batsmen. LSG’s batsmen managed to score well off the spinners Suyash Sharma and Pandya, accumulating 72 runs in eight overs. Pant’s brief innings ended when he flicked a Bhuvneshwar delivery to Phil Salt in the deep. Badoni and Mukul attempted to revive the LSG innings, but the early damage proved too significant to overcome. They could only manage 34 runs for the loss of six wickets in the final five overs, with Salam taking three wickets during this period. According to information from the Press Trust of India, the brief scores were: Lucknow Super Giants: 146 all out in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 40, Ayush Badoni 38; Rasikh Salam Dar 4/24, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/27, Krunal Pandya 2/38). Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 149 for 5 in 15.1 overs (Virat Kohli 40; Prince Yadav 3/32).
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.