NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) survived a late charge from Tim David, who smashed 40 off 17 balls, to secure a nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2026 encounter at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday. Prince Yadav claimed three wickets as LSG successfully defended their total in a rain-affected match reduced to 19 overs per side. RCB were set a revised target of 213 under the DLS method.
Final Over Drama
RCB needed 20 runs off the final over, but Digvesh Rathi conceded only 10 runs to seal the win for LSG. This was a much-needed triumph for the home side after six consecutive losses this season and eight straight defeats at home. Despite the win, LSG remained at the bottom of the points table at No. 10, though there was evident relief in the camp.
For RCB, this defeat marked a missed opportunity to climb to the top of the standings. It was LSG's first victory in five matches in Lucknow this season and their first win against RCB at the Ekana Stadium in three attempts. Meanwhile, RCB suffered their first loss while chasing in five games this season, while LSG registered their first win while defending a total in five outings.
Mitchell Marsh's Dominant Century
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh played a sensational innings, scoring 111 off 56 balls, as repeated rain interruptions affected LSG's innings. They posted 209/3 in their allotted overs. Three rain breaks delayed the game by nearly an hour before the match was shortened to 19 overs per side.
Marsh added 95 runs for the opening wicket with Arshin Kulkarni (17) and then put on another 70 runs with Nicholas Pooran (38). Captain Rishabh Pant later smashed an unbeaten 32 off just 10 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Marsh started aggressively from the outset, hitting boundaries and sixes all around the ground. His innings featured nine fours and nine sixes.
With LSG needing a win to stay alive in the playoff race, Marsh attacked the RCB bowlers from the start after being asked to bat first. Josh Hazlewood bore the brunt of the early assault as Marsh hit two consecutive sixes over his head before adding three boundaries in the same spell.
LSG reached 95/0 in nine overs before the first rain interruption stopped play for around 30 minutes. After the restart, Krunal Pandya dismissed Kulkarni. Nicholas Pooran then got going quickly with two boundaries off Rasikh, while Marsh reached his century with consecutive fours before hitting another six over cover point just before rain stopped play again.
Marsh was dropped by Devdutt Padikkal on 110 but could not capitalize, as he was later caught at deep point off Hazlewood. After Marsh's dismissal, Pant took over and accelerated the scoring.
RCB's Chase Falls Short
Chasing the target, RCB were restricted to 203 for six, with Prince Yadav (3/33) and Shahbaz Ahmed (2/33) sharing wickets for LSG. Skipper Rajat Patidar was the highest scorer for RCB with a 31-ball 61. For RCB, Krunal Pandya (1/31) and Josh Hazlewood (1/49) each took a wicket.
Tim David's late blitz gave RCB hope, but it was not enough to overhaul the target. LSG's disciplined bowling in the final overs ensured they held their nerve to claim a crucial victory.
