RCB vs LSG: KL Rahul's Lucknow Super Giants clinched a heart-stopper against Faf du Plessis' Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 15th match of IPL. LSG held their nerves in a thrilling encounter against RCB as they chased down their highest total in IPL history by 1 wicket on the final ball.
Bangalore scored 212 in the first innings on the back of some firepower by their top three. LSG then replied back heavily with Pooran, Stoinis and the tail starring for them. Notably, this is LSG's highest chase ever in IPL. Before this game, their highest chase was 211/4 against CSK in 2022.
The second-inning pendulum
The second innings was full of the pendulum swinging from one side to the other. There were probably many occasions when a team looked out of the game or looked to take it away.
LSG opener Mayers was sent back early by Siraj before Wayne Parnell took two in an over to send shockwaves in the LSG camp. Rahul was in the middle but it looked like RCB are in control. Then joined Marcus Stoinis, who smashed bowlers at over 200 strike rate. His 30-ball 65 inflicted hopes in the visitors' camp before the pendulum swung again. Karn Sharma got Stoinis, while Siraj got Rahul. It again looked like RCB were bossing but Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni had other thoughts. Pooran took the attack to the bowlers with a blasting 15-ball fifty, which is joint second fastest ever in IPL. LSG were favourites but then came another twist, with Pooran getting caught and Badoni getting hit-wicket.
The final over thriller
If we had seen everything in the match, it would have been easily over. But the game was surely not for the faint-hearted. LSG needed 5 off the final over as Harshal bowled it. He got the wicket of Wood on the second bowl and gave 3 runs in the first 3 balls. Bishnoi and Unadkat were looking set for a win but Patel got Unadkat caught out as LSG needed 1 off 1. On the final bowl, Harshal tried running out the non-striker but missed it as he went a bit far away. He bowled the final ball and Avesh missed as the batters ran for their life to take the single and snatch the win.
Rain of runs in first innings
RCB made a brilliant start on the back of Virat Kohli's firepower. Meanwhile, after Kohli departed, du Plessis took charge as he smoked fire in the game. Bishnoi came to bowl his final over in the 15th over and was taken to the cleaners by Maxwell and du Plessis. Meanwhile, he pitched one short and du Plessis timed the ball to perfection from the middle of his bat.
Bangalore made a thumping start with Kohli and Faf du Plessis' show. Kohli was at his best yet against as the former RCB skipper hit his second consecutive fifty in the tournament. He made 82 in the first game against MI and scored 61 in their third game. Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell were spitting fire against the LSG bowlers as both of them smashed over 50 runs. The trio hit fifty plus scores in the match as Bangalore at 212 in the first innings. Before this match, RCB had one win in two games, while LSG had two in three.
