Opening batter Mitchell Marsh smashed a breathtaking century and Prince Yadav delivered a game-changing spell as Lucknow Super Giants survived a late Royal Challengers Bengaluru onslaught to clinch a thrilling nine-run victory in a rain-curtailed IPL 2026 clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
In a match reduced to 19 overs a side, LSG posted a formidable 209/3 after being asked to bat, with Marsh leading the charge through a blistering 111. Rishabh Pant chipped in with a fluent 32, while Nicholas Pooran provided the finishing touches with a rapid cameo. In reply, RCB fought till the final over but eventually finished at 203/6, falling short despite explosive knocks from Rajat Patidar, Tim David and Romario Shepherd.
RCB’s chase got off to the worst possible start as Mohammed Shami removed Jacob Bethell in the opening over before Prince Yadav clean bowled Virat Kohli for a two-ball duck, reducing the visitors to 9/2. Devdutt Padikkal and Patidar steadied the innings with an aggressive counterattack, stitching together a brisk partnership to revive hopes.
Padikkal struck a composed 34 off 25 deliveries, while Patidar tore into the LSG attack with a flurry of sixes and boundaries. The RCB captain raced to a 29-ball fifty and kept the required rate under control with an entertaining 61 off 31 balls, laced with three fours and six sixes.
Just when RCB appeared to be gaining control, LSG hit back through Prince and Shahbaz Ahmed. Prince dismissed Padikkal with a sharp return catch before removing Jitesh Sharma in the same over. Shahbaz then delivered the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Patidar at long-off.
Tim David reignited the chase with a stunning assault during the death overs. The Australian batter hammered three massive sixes in quick succession and blasted 40 off just 17 balls to bring the equation within reach. However, Shahbaz produced another timely breakthrough to end David’s stay and swing momentum back towards the hosts.
Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya kept RCB alive with late boundaries, but Digvesh Singh Rathi held his nerve in the final over as LSG sealed a dramatic win.
Earlier, Marsh and Pant powered LSG to one of their most dominant batting displays of the season. Marsh attacked from the outset and dismantled both pace and spin with clean striking all around the ground. Pant, who looked in fine rhythm, complemented him with aggressive strokeplay and smart strike rotation as the duo laid the foundation for the imposing total.
Pooran then added late fireworks to ensure LSG crossed the 200-run mark in the shortened contest. RCB’s bowlers struggled for consistency on a batting-friendly surface, with Krunal Pandya being the lone wicket-taker of note.
Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants 209/3 in 19 overs (Mitchell Marsh 111, Nicholas Pooran 38, Rishabh Pant 32; Krunal Pandya 1/31) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203/6 in 19 overs (Rajat Patidar 61, Tim David 40; Prince Yadav 3/33, Shahbaz Ahmed 2/33) by 9 runs (DLS).
-IANS
