LSG vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2025: Bengaluru storm into Qualifier 1

Right then, 70 games over the course of well over 2 months and we finally have the final league standings. Punjab Kings take first place, separated only by net run rate from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, whom they will face in Qualifier 1. Gujarat Titans slip late and slip into third position and they now have to go up against a dangerous-looking Mumbai Indians side in the Eliminator. It is a quick turnaround and Qualifier 1 will be played on Thursday, May 30, in Mullanpur and will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), with the winner getting a direct entry into the Grand Finale. It will be an exciting contest and you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Till then, take care and goodbye!

The RCB skipper, Jitesh Sharma, is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational match-winning knock. He says that he is not able to express his thoughts and still can't believe that he managed to play a knock like this. Says he was trying to stay in the moment and watch the ball as closely as possible. Shares that when Virat got out, he decided to take the game deep. Says that is what his guru, Dinesh Karthik, told him. Adds that he was getting cramps as the load was on him but he has such players in the team with whom he loves to play with. Mentions that he knows they have a big match coming up but will celebrate before that and recover well. On their away record, he says that credit goes to Rajat Patidar and he just managed to keep his record intact. Reckons that they have match-winners throughout the lineup.

The Presentation ceremony...

Mayank Agarwal of RCB is down for a chat. He says that there was very less talking to do with Jitesh as he was looking to give him a strike and Jitesh put up a show . Mentions that It was wicket keeper's game as first rishabh and then jitesh played simply outstanding. Shares about  his discussion with Jitesh Sharma that they were calculating that when they required 90 off 7 overs and they knew that Digvesh Singh had one over, and they thought of taking 10 runs off his overs and try to target other bowlers. States that to chase down 230 was simply magnificent as it requires a lot of confidence and there was lot of belief in the team. Shares about his innings that when he came to bat they just lost two quick wickets so he was looking to build partnership and target few bowlers. Concludes with that it was really food that he and Virat Kohli got quick runs and then it was all about one batter staying till the end.

The captain of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant, reflects on the team's loss, emphasizing the importance of playing quality cricket across all 40 overs, as relying on just 20 overs isn't enough in this format. He acknowledges that injury concerns before the tournament significantly impacted their performance throughout the season. Speaking about his batting, Pant shares that he felt better with each match, ensuring he capitalized on his good starts, even though things don’t always go as planned. He explains that he focused on playing to the field, timing his shots through the line, and finding gaps while maintaining a consistent intensity throughout his innings. He admits there are several areas for improvement and plans to take a short break from cricket to reset. Looking ahead, he mentions the upcoming England series and his intent to prepare thoroughly for it. On the positives, he says that the batters did well for them and also highlights about some positive performances with the ball, including Digvesh, Avesh, and Akash. Ends by saying that they had their chances, but couldn't capitalise on it.

Earlier in the game, the stand-in skipper for RCB, Jitesh Sharma won the toss and opted to chase on a track that just seemed on the slower side. With no Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke got an opportunity alongside Mitchell Marsh but couldn't quite latch onto it. Rishabh Pant decided to come in at number 3 and went on to show that he is still one of the very best, as he added 152 runs with Marsh and even went on to score his second IPL century. LSG finished with a score of 227 on the board, which on this pitch looked like a winning one. For RCB, Nuwan Thushara bowled a stellar spell with Krunal Pandya doing decently in his 2 overs as well, but the rest of the pack went for plenty of runs.

After putting on 227 runs on the board and Rishabh Pant notching up a sensational century, Lucknow Super Giants must have thought they had the game in the bag. However, it was an untidy start in the Powerplay but they managed to pull things back nicely just after the Powerplay.  That double-wicket over from Will O'Rourke gave LSG hope but their pacers just seemed off color. Digvesh Singh bowled decently but the inexperience of Will O'Rourke cost them as he went for 74 runs in his 4 overs and even Shahbaz Ahamad conceded in excess of 20 runs in one over and those things really hurt LSG and their chances of ending the season on a high.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed a big batting performance in a crunch game and it all depended on that crucial Powerplay. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli didn't disappoint as they launched a barrage of boundaries. The score was 61 in 5.4 overs when that first wicket of Salt fell but Kohli made sure that the momentum didn't break. The likes of Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone fell in successive deliveries before Mayank Agarwal joined Kohli at the crease and provided some much-needed calm. Kohli got a half century and got out but Mayank looked in fine touch. However, with a mountain still to climb, it was the stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma who stepped up for his side. He went ballistic at the death and even luck favored him a bit but he made his own luck. Remained unbeaten on 85 off just 33 balls and finished off the game with still 8 balls to go.

JITESH SHARMA - CAPTAIN FANTASTIC! What an epic run chase! One of the finest we have seen in the IPL, and the occasion makes it even better. RCB have gunned down 228 runs and have sealed a top-two finish in the very last league game of IPL 2025. This is also RCB's highest-ever successful chase in IPL history and they will now play in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings. Records galore for RCB don't stop there, as they have ended up winning all 7 away games in the regular season, which is just remarkable.

18.4: Ayush Badoni to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! JITESH SHARMA HAS DONE IT IN STYLE! Incredible scenes here at Ekana as Royal Challengers Bengaluru pull off an absolute heist! This is their highest successful run chase in IPL history, and also the third highest successful chase in this tournament now! Ayush Badoni serves this straight into the wheelhouse, around the middle and leg stump. Jitesh Sharma reads the length perfectly and sits down on a knee to sweep it powerfully behind deep square leg for a massive six. RCB win by 6 wickets, and 8 balls to spare. RCB has also become the only team to have won all their away games. They maintain a clean slate on the road, winning seven out of seven, and the only team in the IPL to do so! The celebrations begin in the RCB dugout!

18.3: Ayush Badoni to Jitesh Sharma, From around the stumps, angled across off, on a length. Jitesh Sharma leaves it alone. Not a Wide as it is clearly inside the tramline.

18.2: Ayush Badoni to Jitesh Sharma, Flat and full, again the line is on the leg stump, Jitesh Sharma steers it between mid on and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

18.1: Ayush Badoni to Mayank Agarwal, Fired full and on leg, Mayank Agarwal drills it down to long on for a single.

17.6: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! THAT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED! Offered right in the slot from Will O'Rourke, at the stumps, Jitesh Sharma picks the length in a trice and smokes this over deep mid-wicket for a mammoth six.

17.5: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! LONG ENOUGH! This is just brilliant batsmanship! A slower bumper from Will O'Rourke, around off, Jitesh Sharma hits it with a flat bat and clobbers it downtown for a cracking six.

17.4: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! SMASHED! Incredible shot from Jitesh! Pitched right up, full and on off, Jitesh Sharma gets his front foot out of the way and carves it over cover for a cracking boundary.

17.3: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, Short of a length, around off, Jitesh Sharma looks to pull but misses.

17.2: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Nicely done by Jitesh! Banged in short again and outside off, Jitesh waits back and ramps it over short third for a boundary.

17.1: Will O'Rourke to Mayank Agarwal, Short and wide, outside off, Mayank Agarwal slaps it away flat and on the bounce to deep cover-point for a single.

16.6: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Shortish length on the pads, nudged away just wide of short fine leg for a single and the 200 is up for RCB. 28 needed now in 3 overs!

Whoa, what happened there? Digvesh Singh stops right before delivering the ball. He sees Jitesh Sharma get out of the crease, loading up for the run. Digvesh Singh clips the stumps at the bowling end, with Jitesh Sharma clearly out of the crease and appeals for a MANKAD. The onfield umpire does go upstairs to have a look. The third umpire deems that Digvesh had completed his action before clipping the bails off. However, it turns out that Rishabh Pant has withdrawn the appeal and NOT OUT comes up on the screen. A good display of sportsmanship from the LSG skipper, and Jitesh Sharma, his opposite number, appreciates this as well by tapping on Pant's shoulder.

16.5: Digvesh Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Dragged length on middle and leg, punched away through mid off for a single.

16.4: Digvesh Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Well bowled! Or is it? Jitesh Sharma has reviewed it for a wide. Quicker one from around the wicket, darted well across off. Jitesh Sharma reaches out and then leaves it alone and a fair delivery is called. The third umpire checks the revised guideline and finds that some part of the ball is inside that line. No Wide!

16.3: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Fuller one, outside off, driven down to long off for one more by Mayank.

16.2: Digvesh Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Into the pitch, bowled across off, Jitesh reaches out and taps it wide of covers for a single.

16.1: Digvesh Singh to Jitesh Sharma, SIX and FIFTY! Cricket can be an unforgiving game at times and LSG are learning that the hard way. This is bowled full and on middle, right in the slot. Jitesh Sharma clears the front leg and whacks it deep into the stands over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. A maiden IPL 50 for Jitesh and it couldn't have come at a better time.

16.1: Digvesh Singh to Jitesh Sharma, NO BALL! Would you believe it? Digvesh Singh seemed to have sent Jitesh Sharma back to the pavilion, but he's ended up bowling a back foot no ball and the stand-in skipper for RCB gets a huge life at a crucial stage. This is tossed up on the stumps. Jitesh brings out the reverse sweep but miscues it in front of point where the fielder, Ayush Badoni, dives forward and takes the low catch. Free Hit loading...

Is that a fair catch? Jitesh Sharma has been requested by the umpires to stay. Oh, HANG ON, it also looks like they are checking for a No Ball. DEAR ME! The siren goes off as it is a back foot No Ball. His foot cuts the line of the return crease, and Jitesh survives. What could probably have been a wicket, turns out to be an extra delivery. Digvesh Singh also brought out his signature celebration, but all in vain.

STRATEGIC BREAK. This game is nicely poised at the moment, as this partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal has resurrected RCB's hopes again. Since Kohli's departure, these have added 66 runs off just 28 balls. Lucknow Super Giants on the other hand, made a lot of fielding errors, which cost them some more runs and momentum to the opponents. 39 needed off 24. Looks pretty much doable with two set batters in and Romario Shepherd next to come to bat. Time is running out of LSG's and Rishabh Pant's hands. Can they flip the script from this position? Here's Digvesh Singh back on. He is 3-0-25-0 so far.

15.6: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Full and tailing it in towards middle and leg, JItesh hangs deep and nearly swings himself with the ball down to long on for a single.

15.5: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, A quick short ball, banged in outside off and flying through at a good height. Jitesh looks to uppercut but misses.

15.4: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Another slower one, slightly pitched up and outside off. Sharma waits well and hits it over the cover region for yet another boundary.

15.3: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! That has been nailed! Misses the yorker on off by a few inches and Jitesh Sharma hits through the line, hammering it to the right of long off for a boundary.

15.3: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Wide! Banged in halfway down the track and outside off, Jitesh Sharma tries to get under it and scoop but the ball flies over his head. Rishabh Pant has a real think about it and reviews the wide call. The third umpire checks the ball tracker and finds that the ball was well over the batter's head and it stays as a WIDE.

15.2: Avesh Khan to Mayank Agarwal, Full again, in the blockhole and outside off, smacked away through covers for one more.

15.1: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Pitches the ball up straight and at the base of middle stump, Sharma drills it down to long off for one.

LSG just trying to slow down things here as Rishabh Pant is getting some physio attention. The RCB head coach, Andy Flower, seems to be a bit animated with this halt. Meanwhile, the players take some fluids in, and we are good to continue. Avesh Khan to bowl now. 

14.6: Shahbaz Ahamad to Mayank Agarwal, MISFIELD, FOUR! These lapses in the field are not helping LSG's cause here, but what a cracking shot that is! A mighty expensive over as 21 runs come off it! Could be a game-changing one this! On a length, and outside off, Agarwal rocks back and cuts this through point. The fielder, Will O'Rourke, throws himself to his left, but is a bit late to react to it. The ball races away into the fence at deep backward point.

14.5: Shahbaz Ahamad to Jitesh Sharma, A muted appeal for LBW from Pant, but not given. The bowler, Shahbaz Ahamad is not convinced and Pant walks to chat with him. The bowler gestures that the glove is involved. Landed fuller and on the stumps, Jitesh Sharma switches the stance to play the reverse, but only manages to get it grazed off the glove. The ball rolls between the backward point and the short third region for a single.

14.4: Shahbaz Ahamad to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Perfectly placed! On middle and full in length, almost a half volley. Jitesh Sharma sweeps it aerially over square leg and gets a boundary. Jitesh Sharma playing a true captain's knock here. 56 needed off 32 now!

14.3: Shahbaz Ahamad to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! Goodness gracious! This is a shot and a half from Jitesh! Slows it up, does Shahbaz, on a fuller length, around off, Jitesh Sharma skips down the track and tonks it inside out over extra cover for a huge six.

14.2: Shahbaz Ahamad to Jitesh Sharma, Full ball, at the stumps, Jitesh Sharma sweeps it to deep fine leg for a couple of runs. A good save from Ravi Bishnoi this time as he sprints and slides to his right from deep backward square leg to intercept it.

14.1: Shahbaz Ahamad to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Dear, oh dear! This is sloppy from LSG! Short of a length, outside off, Jitesh Sharma rocks back and cuts it through the point region. Will O'Rourke runs across to his left but just doesn't bend much low to pick up. The ball evades him, through the legs and into the fence.

13.6: Will O'Rourke to Mayank Agarwal, Length ball, on off, lofted over mid off. A fumble at long off allows the batters to cross over for the second run. A frustrating over for Lucknow Super Giants, to say the least, as 17 runs come off it. Royal Challengers Bengaluru need 72 runs in 36 balls.

13.5: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, A comedy of errors from both sides! Back of a length, outside off, Jitesh Sharma cuts it late to short third. Mayank Agarwal rushes through for a single, but there is a bit of a miscommunication between the batters as Jitesh Sharma is found ball-watching, but soon realises and sprints to the other end. Meanwhile, Digvesh Singh fires a flat throw towards the bowler where Will O'Rourke is almost halfway on the pitch. Also, Jitesh Sharma is struggling to reach the other end, but Will O'Rourke's fumble to collect the throw allows him the room to get home safely. A single. Risky one.

13.4: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Innovative and mighty effective. A low full toss, on off, Jitesh Sharma switches the stance and reverse laps it over short third for a boundary.

13.3: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! SMASHED! Full and on off, Jitesh Sharma prods forward and lofts it cleanly over cover for a cracking six.

13.2: Will O'Rourke to Mayank Agarwal, A good save from Ayush Badoni! Saves a certain boundary! Slower ball, outside off, full in length. Mayank Agarwal is early through his shot, trying to loft it over mid off, but slices it off the outer half of the bat and goes over backward point. Ayush Badoni gives it a chase and dives forward as he flicks the ball in with his right hand before tumbling into the ropes. Three taken.

13.1: Will O'Rourke to Jitesh Sharma, On that in-between length, around off, Jitesh Sharma drives it on the up and wide of mid off for a single.

12.6: Akash Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Good length around off, patted away towards mid off for a quick single.

A medical attention for Akash Singh as he is struggling with some cramps in his left leg. In the time the physio gets to tend to him, Rishabh Pant helps Akash with some stretching exercises. Looks fine to continue as he gets back on his feet.

12.5: Akash Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Good length on leg, tucked away neatly and in front of square leg for one. Uh, oh! Akash Singh has pulled up on the follow-through and the physio is out to have a look.

12.4: Akash Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Oh, where's that going? A full toss, angled across off, Jitesh Sharma brings out the reverse scoop but gets it off the handle of the bat to square leg for a single.

12.3: Akash Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Length again at the stumps, clipped away into the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of easy runs.

12.2: Akash Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Short of a length over off, short-arm jabbed off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for one more.

12.1: Akash Singh to Jitesh Sharma, Slower one, floated up on a dragged length on middle. This one stops on the batter as Jitesh pats it to mid off for a single.

11.6: Avesh Khan to Mayank Agarwal, Two more! Slower one, a bit full and outside off, Agarwal waits back and cuts it past the diving backward point fielder to his left for a couple of runs.

11.5: Avesh Khan to Mayank Agarwal, Good length around the top of off, Agarwal tucks it across through mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs.

11.4: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, A full toss, angling into middle and leg, punched down to long on for a single.

11.3: Avesh Khan to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Up and running right away! Good length on the pads, Jitesh Sharma flicks it away wide of deep backward square leg and beats the chasing fielder to his left for a boundary.

Jitesh Sharma is in at 6 for RCB.

11.2: Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan returns and gets the prized wicket of Virat Kohli. A fiery delivery again, hammering it on a fuller length and around off. Kohli looks to get under the ball and loft it over long off but the bat turns in his hands and the ball gets lofted down to long off. Ayush Badoni takes a good low catch and Kohli has to depart for 54 (30) and RCB are 123/4! And as per Deep Dasgupta on-air, Avesh Khan has picked Kohli's wicket for the third time in the last seven innings. Virat Kohli is fuming at himself as he makes a long way back to the dugout. A hush falls over Ekana!

11.1: Avesh Khan to Mayank Agarwal, Full and straight, bowls a heavy ball, Agarwal drives it through the cover region and turns the strike over.

10.6: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Pushed through fuller and quicker, Agarwal hops back and nudges it around the corner for one more.

10.5: Digvesh Singh to Virat Kohli, On a length, pushed through at the stumps, punched off the back foot down to long on for one more.

10.4: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Not that short, on middle, Agarwal gets low again and pulls it wide of mid on for a single.

10.3: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! Nicely done! On the fuller side, around off, Agarwal gets low and cuts it very late, fine of short third and picks up a boundary.

10.2: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Fuller in length and just around off, Mayank Agarwal looks to sweep but misses.

10.1: Digvesh Singh to Mayank Agarwal, Bowled a bit short and on off, tapped away in front of point.

9.6: Akash Singh to Mayank Agarwal, A slower off-cutter, full and on off, Mayank gets ahead and pushes this wide of cover for a single. A very expensive over from Akash Singh as 18 runs come off it. At halfway stage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 115/3.

9.5: Akash Singh to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! HAT TRICK OF BOUNDARIES! Angled across off on a length, Mayank Agarwal pins the gap between backward point and short third for a boundary.

9.4: Akash Singh to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! Helped away! Short and on the bodyline, on the leg stump, a poor one there to be hit. Mayank Agarwal swivels and pulls this towards deep fine leg for a boundary.

9.3: Akash Singh to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! Delicately done! Short of a length, across off, Mayank Agarwal plays it closely and cuts it past backward point for a boundary.

9.2: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, Pitched on a length outside off, Kohli gets forward and drives to extra cover.

9.1: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, FOUR! FIFTY FOR VIRAT KOHLI! Number 8 of the season! Another inning of excellence and grit! Stand and deliver from the chase master! A fullish ball, on middle, Kohli gets forward and places it to perfection between cover and mid off for a boundary. This is Kohli's 5th fifty this season in the run chases.

8.6: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli drills it past mid off for a single.

8.5: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Easy pickings! Landed right into the slot, on middle, Virat Kohli picks this up and over the bowler for a boundary.

8.4: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, Length ball on the stumps. Kohli punches after making room and hits it to cover. Ayush Badoni makes a good diving stop.

8.3: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, Floated up, full and outside off, Kohli gets ahead and smothers it, but straight to the fielder at cover.

8.2: Shahbaz Ahamad to Mayank Agarwal, Tossed up full and on off, Mayank gets ahead and pushes down to long on for one.

8.1: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, Quick and flat on a length on middle, Kohli goes on the back foot and punches to long on for one.

Mayank Agarwal is the new batter in.

7.6: Will O'Rourke to Liam Livingstone, OUT! LBW! TWO IN TWO FOR O'ROURKE! RCB slipping down just at the wrong time here! Will O'Rourke attacks the stumps this time around and bowls it a lot straight as well. It is full in length, dead at the center. Liam Livingstone looks to flick it across but misses and the ball rams his boot. The umpire raises his finger instantly on the appeal. Liam Livingstone chats a bit with Virat Kohli but walks away without challenging the decision. That's indeed pretty adjacent and Liam Livingstone departs for a golden duck!

Liam Livingstone is in next.

7.5: Will O'Rourke to Rajat Patidar, OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! Rajat Patidar's lean patch with the bat, in the second half of the season, continues! Will O'Rourke bowls it wide of the off stump and keeps the length behind the fuller length. It pitches and nips away from the batter. Rajat Patidar looks to cut it through backward point, but he fails to keep it along the ground and hits it flat and straight toward Abdul Samad stationed at the point region. Rajat Patidar departs for 14 (7) and RCB are 90/2.

7.5: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, Full toss, going down the leg side, Virat Kohli looks to flick and misses it, Pant dives to his left, making a half stop. The short fine leg fielder stops the ball, and batter rotates the strike on a wide.

7.4: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Trademark VK! With mid off inside the ring, Will O'Rourke errs in line and goes too full, around off, Virat Kohli times to perfection and lofts it over the mid off fielder for a cracking boundary. Moves into the 40s, does Virat!

7.3: Will O'Rourke to Rajat Patidar, On a full length, just outside off, Rajat Patidar tucks it towards backward point for a single.

7.2: Will O'Rourke to Rajat Patidar, SIX! He has made that look so easy! Back of a length, and pace on this time around, angling on the leg stump, Rajat Patidar picks the length in a trice and whips it over deep backward square leg for a six. Oh, well, that has landed right at the podium of the car behind the ropes.

7.1: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, From over the wicket, on a length, outside off, Virat Kohli comes down the track and reaches to the ball, mistimes it towards long on for a single.

Strategic Break! In a chase of 228 runs, one needs a very big Powerplay and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have got just that. Both Phil Salt and Virat Kohli went ballistic and with just one wicket down RCB are going almost at the required rate. However, with that wicket of Salt, LSG have been just able to pull things back. Let's see how the middle phase pans out.

6.6: Digvesh Singh to Virat Kohli, A bit too full, on the stumps, Virat Kohli lunges with a huge stride forward and pushes it down to long on for a single.

6.5: Digvesh Singh to Rajat Patidar, Landed fuller and on middle and leg, slogged, but with no real timing. A single at widish long on.

6.4: Digvesh Singh to Rajat Patidar, OUTSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Too fine! A quicker and flatter delivery, on top of off, short in length. Rajat Patidar is surprised with the skid and is hurried to hit through. Gets a thick outside edge and the ball runs to deep third for a boundary.

6.3: Digvesh Singh to Virat Kohli, Sliding on the leg stump, on a fullish length, Virat Kohli leans ahead and pushes at it. Hits it off the inner half of the bat as the ball rolls to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

6.2: Digvesh Singh to Virat Kohli, Dishes out a googly, on a length, around off, Virat Kohli picks the wrong 'un and rocks back quickly. Cuts it past backward point for a couple of quick runs.

6.1: Digvesh Singh to Rajat Patidar, A slider around off, on a length, Rajat Patidar prods ahead and knocks it to short cover. A fumble from Ravi Bishnoi there allows them to cross for a single.

5.6: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Misfield and goes through! On the back of a length, across off, Virat Kohli stands tall and taps it towards the point region, where the fielder makes a meal of an easy stop and lets it through to the fence. Royal Challengers Bengaluru end their Powerplay at 66/1, versus LSG's 55/1.

5.5: Akash Singh to Rajat Patidar, Slower one again, angled on the pads, on a length, Rajat turns it towards deep square leg for a single.

Rajat Patidar walks in at number 3 and he will be the Impact Player for RCB, replacing Suyash Sharma.

5.4: Akash Singh to Phil Salt, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! CAUGHT! The slower one does the trick for Akash Singh and LSG get their first wicket! Akash Singh dishes out a slower bouncer, angling across the off stump, and climbing on the batter around the shoulder height. Phil Salt hops in the air, but has to really reach at it, and is also way too early in the shot. The ball, hence, goes off the toe end of the bat and lobs straight toward Digvesh Singh at cover. He takes a simple, straightforward catch. A massive blow for RCB this as Salt departs on 30 (19). RCB are 61/1.

5.3: Akash Singh to Phil Salt, Just short! Gets away with it, does Akash! Slips in a low full toss, tailing just a tad bit into the batter, Phil Salt backs away to open the off side, swings through the line, but miscues it and slices it from the bottom end, a bit in the air. It lands just short of Digvesh Singh at cover.

5.2: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, At just 108.3 kph, full and outside leg, Virat Kohli clips it along the turf to deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.1: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, Akash Singh is back on. Bowls a slower one, across off, on a length, Virat Kohli swings and misses.

4.6: Avesh Khan to Phil Salt, A dot to end the over but RCB are 60/0 after just 5 overs. This is bowled fuller and in towards the pads, flicked away to backward square leg.

4.5: Avesh Khan to Phil Salt, FOUR! Nice adjustment from Salt! Back of a length and angled in towards the batter. Phil Salt manages to back away enough and forces it flat to the right of mid off for a boundary.

4.4: Avesh Khan to Phil Salt, Banged in well short now and angles it wide outside off as well, Salt reaches for it but it flies past the bat.

4.3: Avesh Khan to Phil Salt, Goes full and straight, gets it into the blockhole, Salt digs it out to mid off.

4.2: Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, Banged in on a hard length and outside off, slapped away firmly to deep point for just a single.

4.1: Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, FOUR! A slower short ball, outside off, Virat Kohli gets on top of the bounce and uses the wrists to angle the pull in front of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. This brings up 9000 runs for Virat Kohli in the T20s alone! Astonishing from the chase master!

4.1: Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, Wide! Begins with a loosener! Full and angled down leg, Kohli misses the flick and a wide is called.

Fifth bowler in the fifth over for LSG! Here's Avesh Khan replacing Digvesh Singh.

3.6: Shahbaz Ahamad to Phil Salt, FOUR! Through the gap this time! Marginally short and just outside off, sits up nicely. Phil Salt backs away and slaps it in front of square on the off side for a boundary. The 50 is up for RCB in no real time!

3.5: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, Tossed up, a bit full and on leg, Kohli makes room and eases it in front of covers for one more.

3.4: Shahbaz Ahamad to Phil Salt, Length ball, angled into leg stump, Salt backs away and punches it wide of mid off for a single.

3.3: Shahbaz Ahamad to Phil Salt, Drags the length a bit, bowling it slower on off and middle, Salt taps it down to covers.

3.2: Shahbaz Ahamad to Phil Salt, FOUR! Fired in on middle and leg, in the slot, Salt clears the front leg and swings it flat down to the left of mid on for a boundary. RCB are off to a real flier here.

3.1: Shahbaz Ahamad to Virat Kohli, Starts from around the wicket, bowling it full onto middle, Kohli eases it through extra cover for one.

2.6: Digvesh Singh to Phil Salt, Quicker delivery, on a length around off and middle, Salt cuts it in front of point but can't get it through the gap.

2.5: Digvesh Singh to Phil Salt, Length ball on off, curving away, Salt stays back and swats it across to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs as there is a slight fumble in the deep from Ravi Bishnoi. The bowler isn't happy with it.

2.4: Digvesh Singh to Phil Salt, FOUR! Begging to be hit! Well short and down leg, Phil Salt rocks back and pulls it down to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

2.3: Digvesh Singh to Phil Salt, Quick and flat on off, Salt backs away before jamming it firmly into covers.

2.2: Digvesh Singh to Virat Kohli, Floated up on a length and on the pads, clipped away through backward square leg for one more.

2.1: Digvesh Singh to Phil Salt, Length ball on middle and leg, sits up, Salt pushes it from the crease and through mid on for a single.

1.6: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, FOUR! That is a fine shot and 22 runs come off it. This is bowled well short and over middle, Virat Kohli gets on top of the bounce and pulls it just in front of square leg for yet another boundary.

1.6: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, Wide! Kohli is early to charge down the track but Will O'Rourke spears it wide outside off and for a wide.

1.5: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries! Short of a length and over off, Kohli swivels back and pulls it down in front of square and into the fence.

1.4: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Up and away! Fractionally short and outside off, Virat Kohli slashes the ball away over backward point and picks up yet another boundary.

1.3: Will O'Rourke to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Erring in line! Floated up, full and just down leg, Kohli flicks it really fine and the ball rolls away into the fence.

1.2: Will O'Rourke to Phil Salt, Length again, this time on the pads, heaved away on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

1.1: Will O'Rourke to Phil Salt, FOUR! Nicely timed! Good-length ball, not too wide either, Salt just waits a touch before caressing it on the up and through the gap at covers for a boundary.

The tall, lanky Kiwi, Will O'Rourke to operate from the far end.

0.6: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Classic Kohli! Similar line and length around middle, Virat Kohli steps inside the line and whips it away over mid-wicket for a boundary.

0.5: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, Three dots on the trot! Pitched-up delivery on middle, Kohli strides in to drive and hits it straight to mid on again.

0.4: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, Floats this one up on off,trying to swing it back in, Kohli shows the full face of the bat and pushes it to mid on.

0.3: Akash Singh to Virat Kohli, Nagging length on off, holding its line, Virat Kohli defends it under his eyes.

0.2: Akash Singh to Phil Salt, Oh, misfield! Length ball on the pads, nudged away to short fine leg where Matthew Breetzke gets a bad bounce and the batters are able to pick up a single.

0.1: Akash Singh to Phil Salt, FOUR! Up and running in style! Full and straight to begin with, Phil Salt smacks it back into the deck and gets it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Welcome back to RCB's response with the bat. The umpires and players have made their way to the middle. Now then, out walk Virat Kohli and Phil Salt to open for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The players of Lucknow Super Giants spread out to the field as well. The umpire signals for the substitution for LSG, as Mitchell Marsh makes way for the left-arm seamer, Akash Singh. He will rightaway begin the proceedings with the new ball. Off we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Okay then, 228 is the magic number for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to claim a spot in the top two and punch their tickets for Qualifier 1. The job looks a bit steep, especially when RCB is over-dependent on their openers. The middle order has not fired up to the expectations and with Tim David's absence down the order, the challenge level has elevated further. Hence, a strong start from chase master Virat Kohli and Phil Salt remains a non-negotiable. However, true stars sparkle when it's dark. Can RCB turn this to their favor? Stick around as the run chase is up next in a bit.

LSG's Matthew Breetzke is up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. He says that, it was a great privilege to debut in the IPL, but it didn't go the way he wanted to but it was awesome to play in front of a crowd like that. Adds that his head seems fine at the moment and he'll see for the next couple of hours. Shares that it was a pretty good wicket but only challenge was swinging balls from Nuwan Thushara. Mentions that Nuwan Thushara was bowling well at the start and he was all over him and Mitch. says that any game of cricket there will always be nerves, but he felt confident as he was training for the last two months. Concludes that Pant has been very honest, although his batting hasn't gone his way, but his captaincy has been amazing.

With the playoffs approaching, RCB's bowling woes and fielding lapses could prove costly in high-pressure games. The absence of Josh Hazlewood has left their attack vulnerable, and back-to-back struggles suggest a lack of control. If they want to make a deep run, tightening their discipline and finding consistency will be crucial, because in knockout cricket, these mistakes can have huge consequences.

Rishabh Pant was in his element, and Marsh followed suit as LSG unleashed a stunning 109-run assault between overs 7 and 15. Bhuvi eventually broke their commanding 152-run stand, but with plenty of batting firepower still in reserve, the bowlers struggled to regain control. Pant saved the best for the last and smashed a century off just 54 balls, reminding that he is still there and marked his territory at home against a star-studded RCB unit, helping his side to get 227 on the board.

LSG, though, got a much-needed lift as skipper Rishabh Pant stepped in with intent, taking the attacking route and giving Marsh the space to settle in. After a tough season, these innings could be the spark Pant needed to regain his rhythm. Together, the duo stitched a fifty-plus stand, steadying the innings and nicely navigating the middle overs with exactly 100 on the board at the halfway mark.

RCB and LSG traded early blows, but debutant Matthew Breetzke’s promising start was cut short by a fiery Thushara yorker. That wicket, combined with Thushara’s slingy pace and Bhuvi’s sharp control, slowed LSG’s charge. They finished the powerplay at 55/1, but with 44 runs coming in the first four overs, RCB took command in the latter half, giving just 11 in the last two of the restrictions.

An inning worth remembering from Rishabh Pant. On the back of his scintillating century, the Super Giants have posted their highest total at Ekana. Pant led the charge with a blistering display, smashing 8 of the 14 sixes as he dismantled RCB’s bowling attack piece by piece. For Bengaluru, warning signs are flashing bright as this marks the second straight game at this venue where they’ve leaked over 220 runs, raising serious concerns about their bowling depth.

19.6: Romario Shepherd to Abdul Samad, Full and wide, jammed out towards extra cover for just a single by Abdul Samad and Romario Shepherd manages to close things out decently for RCB. Lucknow Super Giants finish with 227/3 on the board!

19.5: Romario Shepherd to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, Yash Dayal almost made a mess of that one! Romario Shepherd with another bumper, bowls it into the pitch and gets the line and height right as well. Nicholas Pooran tries to pull it from around the helmet but ends up getting a top edge down to deep backward sauare leg where Dayal takes a low catch and manages to keep his fingers underneath the ball.

The onfield umpires have sent the decision upstairs for a fair catch check. Yash Dayal almost misjudges the catch but manages to gobble it in the end. The replay shows that he has done it cleanly with his fingers underneath the ball. The third umpire is satisfied as well.

19.4: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, Bowls it fairly full and around the fifth stump line, Pant jabs it firmly down to long off and picks up a single.

19.3: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Rishabh Pant isn't done yet! A low full toss on leg stump, Pant crouches done, almost doesn't even look at it and just flicks it over fine leg for a biggie.

19.2: Romario Shepherd to Nicholas Pooran, A heavy short ball, right at the batter, Pooran hops up and pulls it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single.

19.1: Romario Shepherd to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! Nicely done! Full and wide, hugging the tramline, Nicholas Pooran does well not only to reach it but he also opens the bat face to glide it wide of deep third for a boundary.

Will Romario bowl the last? Is he fine to continue? He will. Nothing THAT serious with his hamstring.

18.6: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, Trying to be a bit too cheeky there! Full and wide, Rishabh Pant tries to reverse lap it over the keeper's head but fails to make a connection.

18.5: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Rishabh Pant is unstoppable here! Back-of-the-hand slower ball, short and around off, Pant swivels across before pulling it high and handsome over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Dear, oh dear! This is getting from bad to worse for RCB as Romario Shepherd is seen struggling a bit with his hamstring. He is on the ground and behind the ropes. He is supposed to bowl the final over. RCB would hope that it is not that serious.

18.4: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Gets that one away! Rishabh Pant is early to move past the off stump and Yash Dayal tries to go even wider. Ends up bowling a full toss and Pant slices it away with an open bat face and wide of short third for a boundary.

18.3: Yash Dayal to Nicholas Pooran, Full and around off, Pooran just can't get under the ball and hammers it down to long off for just one more.

18.2: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide outside off, Rishabh Pant carves ot away over cover-point but Tim Seifert quickly cuts it off to his right and keeps it down to one.

18.1: Yash Dayal to Nicholas Pooran, Just misses the straight yorker but Nicholas Pooran can't get under it and swats it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Yash Dayal (2-0-31-0) to bowl the penultimate.

17.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, in the blockhole and well outside off. Pant reaches for it but ends up jamming it off the toe end and wide of the keeper who does well to collect it.

17.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! A HUNDRED TO SAVOUR FOR RISHABH PANT! He celebrates in style as he performs a cartwheel and this is the Pant we all want to see. Pitched-up delivery, speared well outside off, Pant has to reach for it and almost falls over but he manages to power it over the cover region for a boundary. One can see the relief on Pant's face and what a knok this has been. 200 up for LSG as well.

17.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Nicholas Pooran, Fuller in length, on middle and leg, heaved across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Smart work in the deep from Phil Salt. A full toss outside off, tailing away, Pant slashes it away wide of deep third but Salt gets around quickly and grabs it. However, he knows that the momentum will take him over the ropes so he releases the ball and quickly comes back in to pick it up again. Just a single.

17.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Oh, where has that gone? Short ball outside off, Rishabh Pant tries to fetch and pull but ends up playing it like a helicopter and off the top edge over the keeper for a boundary. Pant moves to 95 now.

17.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Top delivery! Gets the wide yorker going across the left-hander and nails it just inside the tramline as Pant cannot reach it. However, Pant has reviewed it for a potential wide and the third umpire is called in. The replays roll in and the ball is well within the guideline. No Wide!

16.6: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Gets away with it! Full toss around off, at a good height to hit but Pant stays put and just punches it flat and on the bounce to long off for a single.

16.5: Nuwan Thushara to Nicholas Pooran, Goes full and wide and takes some pace off it as well. Pooran has to reach for it and jams it through the cover region for a run.

16.4: Nuwan Thushara to Nicholas Pooran, Attempted yorker on off, turns out to be a low full toss. Nicholas Pooran just eases it away through the point region and does well to race back for the second run.

16.3: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Banged into the pitch, slower again and around off, Pant crunches the pull down to wide long on for just a single.

16.2: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Slower delivery, floated up a bit full and just around off. Pant is undone by the lack of pace and swings his bat early, getting beaten past the inside edge.

16.1: Nuwan Thushara to Nicholas Pooran, Nice and full, straight at the stumps, driven through wide mid on for a single.

16.1: Nuwan Thushara to Nicholas Pooran, Wide! Slower one, slinging it down the leg side for a wide.

15.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Nicely done! The wide yorker now, Rishabh Pant opens the bat face at the last moment and squeezes it over the leaping fielder at short third quite intentionally for a boundary. 20 off that over!

15.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Another yorker, this time on off and middle, Pant just stabs it out through mid on and races back for the second run.

15.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Nicholas Pooran, On the money! Around the wicket to the left-hander, spearing it in towards middle and leg, Pooran clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK. Time for another breather. But boy, this was a dominant batting exhibition from Mitchell Marsh and Rishabh Pant. A 152-run partnership that took apart the RCB bowling lineup to bits. Royal Challengers Bengaluru desperately needed that wicket, but with 8 wickets in the bank, and Nicholas Pooran yet to come out to bat, alarm bells are ringing in the RCB camp. They need a few more wickets, that too, in clusters, to halt this runaway LSG train. Rishabh Pant has batted beautifully, and the best of time he has had with the bat this season. He would like to see through the innings and as Nicholas Pooran joins him at the crease at number, is 230-plus on the cards? Let's find out...

15.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! CAUGHT! Edged and gone, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has his revenge here. This is speared in full and wide outside off, almost in the slot as well. Mitchell Marsh waits back and looks to hammer it away through covers but the ball just shapes away a fraction and catches a feather of an outside edge before going straight into the clutches of Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps. Marsh departs for a fiery 67 (37) and LSG are now 177/2.

15.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, Wide! Tries to go full and wide but spills it beyond the tramline. BHuvi and RCB under immense pressure here.

15.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Wow, that has been smoked! Length ball outside off, Mitchell Marsh just gets under it and whacks it a long way over wide long off for another biggie.

15.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! LSG are taking the RCB bowlers apart! Slow and short, just sitting up outside off, Mitchell Marsh picks his area and flat-bats it back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

14.6: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, This is much wider than the previous ball, but inside the tramline, on the off side. Rishabh Pant reaches for it but misses to connect. Looks briefly at the umpire, but wide is not given.

14.5: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Six number 6 from Pant! A bit fuller in length, going across and outside off, Rishabh Pant prods forward and thumps it over long off for a half a dozen.

14.4: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Fired outside off, full in length, Marsh throws his hands away and drives it through point for a single.

14.3: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Too full, outside off, 140.1 kph, Mitchell Marsh drills it away to the cover region.

14.2: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, Misfield! Short of a length, skidding on the batter, on middle. Rishabh Pant pulls it straight to square leg, where surprisingly, Virat Kohli makes a fumble and the ball rolls in the deep. What should have been a dot ball, goes for a single.

14.1: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Looked so easy and effortless! Pace on, width on offer, outside off and full in length. Rishabh Pant gets everything he wants, and just smashes it over extra cover for a huge six.

14.1: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! Angled across the tramline, a slower one, on the off side. Rishabh Pant leaves. A very late call for wide from the umpire, Chris Gaffaney. This brings up the 150 for the Super Giants!

13.6: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, Pulls the length back, on middle, spinning in. Rishabh Pant stands tall and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket. A single to end the over, but an expensive one as 18 runs come off it. These two have now added 124 runs together!

13.5: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Signature Pant! This time, Suyash bowls it fuller, but right in the arc, around off and middle. Rishabh Pant sits on his knee and despite the bottom hand coming off the handle, he powers the slog sweep behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

13.4: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Powered away! Just outide off, on a length, Rishabh Pant swings hard and lofts it over cover and the ball races away to the fence.

13.3: Suyash Sharma to Mitchell Marsh, Length ball and this is hoicked across to deep square leg for a single.

13.2: Suyash Sharma to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! This is just brilliant batting! SIXTH FIFTY FOR MARSH THIS SEASON! Off just 31 balls! His 9th overall, with a century in the IPL! Another short ball, on the leg stump line, sitting up nicely for the batter. The Bison waits for it and pulls it easily over cow corner for a massive six. Sheer consistency from the Western Australian with the bat!

13.1: Suyash Sharma to Mitchell Marsh, Pitched almost halfway, around off, spinning away. Marsh punches it hard, but straight to the cover fielder.

A bit of a halt in the play and the RCB physio is out to have a look at Jitesh Sharma who seems to be struggling with an issue in his right leg. This also serves as an opportunity to get some fluids in for all of the players.

12.6: Krunal Pandya to Rishabh Pant, This is darted at 113 kph, a full toss angling away from off. Pant has a wild swing at it, but misses to connect. A quiet over amidst the storm. Just 4 from it. Krunal Pandya's figures read 2-0-14-0.

12.5: Krunal Pandya to Rishabh Pant, A quick bumper from Krunal now, outside off, just passing around the shoulder level. Rishabh Pant leaves.

12.5: Krunal Pandya to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! What was Pant trying to do here? Seeing Pant shuffling towards the leg side, Krunal Pandya smartly bowls it away from the off stump, in fact, outside the tramline. Rishabh Pant tries to reach at it, but loses his balance in the process. Almost falls over and tumbles a bit. Jitesh Sharma collects the ball and whips the bails off. Wide called.

12.4: Krunal Pandya to Mitchell Marsh, Quicker at 112 kph, outside off, but a full toss, Mitchell Marsh drives it past the cover-point region for a single again.

12.3: Krunal Pandya to Rishabh Pant, Drags the length back, does Krunal, outside off, Rishabh Pant stands tall and punches this wide of cover for a single.

12.2: Krunal Pandya to Rishabh Pant, Wide of off, full, Rishabh Pant extends his arms and hits it to the cover region. A sharp diving stop there by Tim Seifert, prevents any run.

12.1: Krunal Pandya to Mitchell Marsh, Krunal Pandya is back on! Mitchell Marsh will think that he missed out! Full, flighted one, and drifting on leg, Mitchell Marsh mistimes it off the toe end, and hits it towards long on for a single.

11.6: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Fired in fuller, on off, Mitchell Marsh shovels it out through cover for a single. 13 off the over, 27 from the last two for LSG!

11.5: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! PUNISHED! Too short and around top of off, a slower ball as well. Mitchell Marsh stays back and brings his long levers to play. Pulls it with a horizontal bat, and clears long on with ease for a six. Mitchell Marsh completes 600 runs in this season with the bat. The 100-run stand is also up between these two.

11.4: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! A loosener and gets the treatment! A wayward full delivery, going down leg, Mitchell Marsh helps it with a tickle and the ball goes racing away to deep fine leg for a boundary.

11.3: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, A yorker speared in, on middle, Rishabh Pant charges down the track, by creating some room. Stays leg side and drills the ball to the right of the mid off region for a single.

11.2: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, Back of a length and around off, Pant looks to cut but gets an inside edge past the stumps to short fine leg. Marsh sets off for the single early but has to rush back.

11.1: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Mistimed but in the gap! Banged in well short and over middle, Mitchell Marsh looks to flat-bat it down the ground but miscues it back over the bowler's head and the ball lands well short of the rushing long-off fielder. They get a single.

10.6: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Pant has just muscled that down the ground! Another over that goes for double figures! LSG in complete control here! A slower delivery by the looks of it, pitched right on halfway, on top of the stumps, Rishabh Pant shapes to flat bat it down the ground for a cracking boundary. The long on fielder stands no chance of intercepting that. 14 off the over.

10.5: Yash Dayal to Mitchell Marsh, A slower bowl, probably the knuckle ball, angling across off, at just 101.1 kph, Mitchell Marsh waits, waits and waits before pulling it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.4: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, Searches the yorker, but bowls a full toss, low on middle, Rishabh Pant drills it to the right of long on for a single.

10.3: Yash Dayal to Mitchell Marsh, Pitched outside leg, on a length, Mitchell Marsh misses to whip it across to the leg side, but misses and it hits his front pad. The ball rolls off towards the square leg region. They cross over.

10.2: Yash Dayal to Mitchell Marsh, Hard length, around leg, at 126.7 kph, Mitchell Marsh hits it off the inside half of the bat, and a fumble from Suyash Sharma at short fine leg, allows the batters to hare back for the second run.

10.2: Yash Dayal to Mitchell Marsh, WIDE! Sprays it down leg, full in length. Mitchell Marsh misses to flick it away and a wide is called.

10.1: Yash Dayal to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! More runs! Dayal throws it wide across off, full in length, Mitchell Marsh expands his arms to play it through the of side, but gets a bit of an outside edge and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.

9.6: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, Fires this one in on a fullish length around off, it is the leg break. Pant cuts it late and straight to backward point.

9.5: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! FIFTY up for the LSG skipper! Quicker one at the pads, shorter too, Rishabh Pant rocks back and swats it away quickly and through square leg for another boundary.

9.4: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Oh, that is a schoolboy error from Phil Salt. Short and wide, Rishabh Pant reaches out and cuts it down to the right of deep point. Salt comes across and just lets it through the hands for a boundary.

9.3: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up at the stumps, Pant skips down the track and heaves it across in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

9.2: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, Bowled at a brisk pace, slightly full and on leg, Pant lunges to defend.

9.1: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Raw power! Floated up wide outside off but it's just too full, Rishabh Pant sits down and reaches out before lifting it high and well over long off for a biggie. Nowhere near the middle of the bat.

8.6: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, Just back of a length and well outside off, Pant reaches out and cuts it behind point for another single.

8.5: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Full and wide again, Marsh gets down on one knee and punches it away to sweeper cover for a single.

8.4: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Much better! Quick and full, outside off as well, Marsh looks to drive but the ball sneaks under his willow.

8.4: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, Wide! Dishes out a full and wide one but spills it beyond the tramline for a wide.

8.3: Romario Shepherd to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Easy pickings! A nothing short ball, not short or quick enough and in the hitting arc. Mitchell Marsh waits well and just pulls it easily over deep square leg for a biggie.

8.2: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, Good length outside off, hit away square through coverpoint for a single and the 50-run stand is up between these two as well.

8.1: Romario Shepherd to Rishabh Pant, Starts with a slower one, bowling it a tad full and angling it across off. Pant looks to thrash it through covers but is well beaten.

Romario Shepherd is introduced into the attack, replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar

7.6: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up, very full and on the stumps, hammered back past the bowler and towards long on for another run.

7.5: Suyash Sharma to Mitchell Marsh, Marsh sets up for the slog sweep but this is pushed through quicker and fuller as well, skidding on. Marsh adjusts and just punches it through covers for a single.

7.4: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, On a length and outside off, cut away wide of the point region for just one more.

7.3: Suyash Sharma to Mitchell Marsh, A bit shorter and into the pads, Marsh tries to pull it away but misses. The ball lobs up off the pads and goes over the keeper's head, who searches everywhere for the ball. The short fine leg fielder picks it up, and it will be a leg bye.

7.2: Suyash Sharma to Rishabh Pant, Flatter delivery, on off, Pant stays in his crease and pushes it wideof covers for a run.

7.1: Suyash Sharma to Mitchell Marsh, Tosses it up to begin with, around middle, Mitchell Marsh sits down for the big heave but mistimes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

6.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Oh, a bit unlucky there for Liam Livingstone. A juicy full toss on the pads, Pant nonchalantly flicks it away and well wide of fine leg. Liam runs across and dives to his right but makes a half stop before the ball rolls back onto the boundary cushion.

6.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Banged in short now and around off, Rishabh Pant just leans back and lays into the pull, nailing it well in front of square and over the fence for a biggie.

6.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, Another fine yorker, darted in at the toes, Marsh takes the front leg out and manages to dig it down to long on for one more.

6.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Spears it in at the feet now and gets it spot-on, Pant jams it out wide of square leg and turns the strike over.

6.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Bhuvi takes pace off and floats it up outside off, Pant leans on and punches it straight to Krunal Pandya at covers.

6.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, Good-length ball, around off, Marsh punches it on the up and gets it through covers for a run.

STRATEGIC BREAK. A mixed-bag start for Lucknow Super Giants. Debutant Matthew Breetzke's confident start was cut short by Nuwan Thushara's crushing yorker and since then, RCB pacers have managed to control the proceedings. LSG managed to score 44 runs in the first four overs, but could only add 11 in the next two. Mitchell Marsh has had a quiet start so far and Rishabh Pant has again got off to a start. The two will try to extend this partnership through the middle phase, while a couple of wickets will see RCB on the top. Here's Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-0-3-0) into the attack after the break.

5.6: Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Marsh, Pitched up, pushed well across the off side, Marsh taps it away to mid off for a single and brings up 5000 runs in T20 cricket. LSG are 55/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Streaky! Banged in a bit short and outside off, Mitchell Marsh is early through the shot but goes hard at it and gets a top edge just over a leaping Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps and for a boundary.

5.5: Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Marsh, No ball! Oh, gets that one wrong! Attempted slower ball, trying to get it to dip but bowls it very high around Marsh's chest. Marsh just angles it to short fine leg and a No Ball is called. Free Hit to follow...

5.4: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Keeps it full, sprays it onto the pads now, Pant clips it behind square leg for a single.

5.3: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Another low full toss, on off this time, quicker this time and Pant misses out again as he pushes it straight to mid off.

5.2: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Another slower one, bowled very full, a bit too full but dips on the batter. Pant can only manage to punch it towards mid off.

5.1: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Thushara changes ends now and starts off with a very full ball around off, Rishabh Pant tries to go after it but mistimes it towards mid on. That was bowled from well behind the crease.

4.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, This one shapes back in, length ball, on middle, Mitchell Marsh gets forward to block and the ball goes off the inside half of the bat to the square leg region. A tidy start from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, goes for just 4 runs off his opener. 22 off the last 2 overs for LSG!

4.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, On a back of a length, curving away from outside off, Mitchell Marsh dabs it out to backward point.

4.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, Hits the deck hard, does Bhuvi, outside off, Mitchell Marsh punches it off the back foot to wide of long off. Virat Kohli sprints to his left and keeps the batters to just a couple.

4.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Hard length, on the pads, Rishabh Pant misses to tuck it into the leg side, and the ball rolls off the thigh pads to the mid-wicket region. They cross for a leg bye.

4.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rishabh Pant, Oh, trying to be adventurous there! Pitched just around the leg stump, and on a good length, Rishabh shuffles inside the line, and shapes to play his signature scoop shot but misses to get any bat on it. It is not called a wide as the ball just passes over the leg stump.

4.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Marsh, Aims the stumps, does Bhuvneshwar Kumar first up, full in length, Mitchell Marsh gets behind the line and taps it out to the cover region for a single.

3.6: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! SMASHED AWAY! This is on a length, angling around the fourth stump, Rishabh Pant climbs on it and flat bats it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a boundary.

3.5: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, Fired in fuller and just outside off, Rishabh Pant smashes it hard, but straight to mid off.

3.4: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! SHOT! Back of a length, climbing on the batter, around off, Rishabh Pant cuts it up and over backward point for a boundary.

3.3: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, This is banged in short and wide, Pant reaches after it and cuts it off the top edge down to deep backward point for a couple of runs more.

3.2: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, SIX! WHAT A STRIKE! Served right up, in the wheelhouse, around the off stump. Rishabh Pant gets down on his knee and slogs it powerfully behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

3.1: Yash Dayal to Rishabh Pant, Had to hurry! Yash Dayal is into the attack and hurls it around off, full in length. Rishabh Pant taps it off the inner half of the bat and the ball goes to the mid-wicket region. They run the first one hard as Mayank Agarwal gets to the ball. The throw is at the bowling end, but Marsh gets there after a brief pause.

2.6: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Almost chopped on! Fired in fuller at 141.3 kph, around off, shaping into the batter. Rishabh Pant with a lazy prod half forward, attempts to drive it through cover, but inside edges past the stumps, to short fine leg for a single. A brilliant over from Nuwan Thushara. Just 5 from it and a wicket as well.

2.5: Nuwan Thushara to Rishabh Pant, Across off, nibbling away, on a fuller length, Rishabh Pant lets it be and shoulders arms.

The LSG skipper, Rishabh Pant walks in at number 3.

2.4: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! This excellent change of lengths from Nuwan Thushara and Royal Challengers Bengaluru get their first breakthrough! A perfect example of nose and toes from the Sri Lankan slinger here! After a steep bumper, Nuwan Thushara cannons in a pinpoint yorker, shaping away. It lands right at the base of the off pole as Matthew Breetzke backs away a bit to create room, and tries to drive it through the off side. Misses to connect and the ball uproots the off stump. It goes for a walk as so does Matthew Breetzke, to the dugout. Lucknow Super Giants are 25/1 as he departs for 14 (12). 

A slight halt in the play as the ball has gone off Matthew Breetzke helmet and the physio is out to perform a mandatory concussion check.

2.3: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, FOUR LEG BYES! Beaten by pace this time! This is an effort delivery, quicker and shorter in length, skidding through the deck. Matthew Breetzke is hurried on the pull shot, but the excessive bounce rams straight onto his helmet and lobs over the short third fence. The physio runs out for a mandatory concussion checkup for Matthew Breetzke.

2.2: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, A short-pitched delivery, around the leg stump and shaping away. Matthew Breetzke is beaten by the pace off and the ball stays a bit tad bit low as well. Goes below the inside edge and raps the Protea around the chest area.

2.1: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, Nagging length, outside off, Matthew Breetzke gets down the track and smashes it hard, but straight to Liam Livingstone at short cover.

1.6: Krunal Pandya to Matthew Breetzke, BUZZERS! Quick glovework there by Jitesh! This is on a length, just around the off pole, Matthew Breetzke punches it out to the cover region and sets off for a single. The fielder there is quick enough to pick and throw in a motion towards the keeper. Jitesh collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash, and appeals for a run out. But the leg umpire is convinced that Mitchell Marsh has made it home easily.

1.5: Krunal Pandya to Matthew Breetzke, Nagging length, quick and flat around off, sliced away to the point fielder.

1.4: Krunal Pandya to Matthew Breetzke, Length, outside off, punched towards the cover region, where a half stop allows the batters to cross for a brace.

1.3: Krunal Pandya to Matthew Breetzke, FOUR! Looking good and confident here, is Matthew Breetzke! Dropped fuller and around the leg stump line. Matthew Breetzke clears the front leg and lofts it comfortably over long on for a biggie. The first of the evening!

1.2: Krunal Pandya to Matthew Breetzke, Drags the length back, around off, and quicker at 95.8 kph. Matthew Breetzke taps it out to the off side.

1.1: Krunal Pandya to Mitchell Marsh, At 87.8 kph, full and drifting on the pads. Mitchell Marsh pushes it gently toward mid on and steals a single.

Krunal Pandya to bowl from the other end.

0.6: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, FOUR! Nicely done! An overpitched delivery, angling on the pads, Matthew Breetzke flicks it along the turf, through mid-wicket for a boundary. 11 off the first then.

0.5: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, Whoa! That passes scarily close to the stump! An outswinger, just around the base of the off pole. Matthew Breetzke tries to squeeze it out to the off side, but misses and gets beaten on the outside edge as well.

0.4: Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Marsh, A big appeal for LBW, but not entertained. Jitesh Sharma runs towards the bowler and they decide to take a review. This is another low full toss, shaping away from the leg stump. Mitchell Marsh looks to work it across the line, but the ball passes close to the bat and rams on the front pad. The ball rolls near the stumps and they cross over. The third umpire, though, sees a clear inside edge off the bat. So, no need for Ball Tracking and UltraEdge. 

Review time! Nuwan Thushara gets genuine swing again and there is a loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Jitesh Sharma has a quick chat with the bowler and takes the review. The replays roll in and that is a huge inside edge and the third umpire doesn't even check UltraEdge. NOT OUT and an early review wasted by RCB.

0.3: Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! A bit streaky though! Some away shape, but a full toss, on off, Mitchell Marsh closes the bat face a bit early, and a leading edge is found. The ball races away through the short third region for a boundary.

0.2: Nuwan Thushara to Matthew Breetzke, First runs in the IPL for Matthew Breetzke! He is off the mark with a quick single! Back of a length, angling on the leg stump. Matthew Breetzke gets inside the line and tucks it in front of mid on and rushes through for a quick single. Romario Shepherd underarms the throw but misses to hit the stumps at the bowling end.

0.1: Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Marsh, Marsh and LSG are off the mark straightaway! With that slingy action, Nuwan gets some shape on the leg stump line, on a length, Mitchell Marsh easily whips it off the pads to deep square leg for a single.

All in readiness for the final league game of IPL 2025! The umpires make their way out to the middle as the RCB players can be seen in a huddle before taking their places on the field. It will be the LSG debutant, Matthew Breetzke to open the innings alongside Mitchell Marsh. The RCB debutant, Nuwan Thushara, has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Mitchell Marsh of Lucknow Super Giants is down for a chat. He says that when you aren't playing the finals, it's disappointing and they lost a couple of really close ones that can hurt and there are positives to be taken from this season. Adds that where you are in the table, you need to remain proud and try to win. Mentions that he's thoroughly enjoyed opening and it has been probably his most consistent season and it's taken 10 years for him. On breaking his brother's record of runs in a single IPL season, Mitch jokes and brushes it aside.

Impact players nominated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, and Swapnil Singh.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone (In for Tim David), Jitesh Sharma (C/WK), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara (In for Lungi Ngidi), Suyash Sharma.

Impact players nominated by Lucknow Super Giants - Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuvraj Chaudhary, and Arshin Kulkarni.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Nicholas Pooran, Matthew Breetzke (In for Aiden Markram), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahamad, Digvesh Singh (In for Akash Deep), Avesh Khan, Will O'Rourke.

The captain of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant says that he doesn't mind batting first as it looks like a good wicket. Mentions that they did show a glimpse in their last game and every match is a learning curve, so till the last ball is bowled, they will give their 100 percent. Stats that, definitely as a team, you want to play fearless cricket and keep adding value to the team. Informs that Matthew Breetzke and Digvesh Singh are back.

The RCB stand-in skipper, Jitesh Sharma, says that they will bowl first as the wicket looks good and they want to chase. Adds that regular skipper Rajat Patidar will come in as the Impact Player. Mentions that if they win, they will finish in the top two, which is great. Goes on to inform that Tim David is out and is replaced by Liam Livingstone, and also Lungi Ngidi is out as he has national duty. Ends by saying that both Josh Hazlewood and Tim David will be available in the next game.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Jitesh Sharma elects to BOWL first.