With this win, RCB have ended their season on second position, confirming Qualifier 1 spot.
In the 70th and last match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
RCB won the toss and decided to bowl first. Nuwan Thushara struck early, taking out Matthew Breetzke and finished with an amazing economy rate of 6.5. Despite his efforts, coupled with wickets from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd, most RCB bowlers struggled, with economy rates surpassing 10, with the exception of Krunal Pandya.
In response, RCB began their chase with confidence. Openers Phil Salt (30) and Virat Kohli (54) put up a 61-run stand. While Salt fell shortly after the powerplay, Kohli looked authoritative, scoring a magnificent fifty that contained ten boundaries. However, two quick wickets in the eighth over sent nerves through the RCB camp. Kohli also exited in the 12th over, leaving the squad with a difficult task ahead. The chase then saw an incredible comeback, led by skipper Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. The pair put together an undefeated 107-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Jitesh was the aggressor, blasting a spectacular 85* off 40 balls, complete with 8 fours and 6 massive sixes. Agarwal was calm and composed at the opposite end, scoring a crucial 41* and keeping the scoreboard ticking. In the 17th over, Digvesh Rathi almost turned the game around. Sharma was removed on the first ball, which turned out to be a no-ball, while in the second attempt, Rathi made a mandkad to which Rishabh Pant withdrew in the spirit of the game. In the end, RCB chased down the target with poise and authority, securing one of their most memorable victories in recent memory.
LSG’s innings was anchored by a brilliant partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Rishabh Pant. Marsh continued his fine form, smashing 67 off 37 balls at a strike rate of 181.08, featuring four boundaries and five towering sixes. However, it was Rishabh Pant who stole the show with a breathtaking unbeaten 118 off just 61 deliveries. Displaying his full array of strokes, Pant punished RCB bowlers with ease, finding gaps and clearing the ropes at will. His knock, which included 8 fours and 7 sixes, powered LSG to a daunting total of 227/3, seemingly a winning score at the halfway mark.
For LSG with the ball, William ORourke scalped two wickets but gave away 74 runs. One wicket each was also taken by Akash Maharaj Singh and Avesh Khan.
With this win, RCB have ended their season on second position, confirming Qualifier 1 spot.
Scorecard:
Lucknow Super Giants: 227/3, Overs 20, Rishabh Pant 118*, Nuwan Thushara 1/26
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 230/4, Overs 18.4, Jitesh Sharma 85*, William ORourke 2/74
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