Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a composed all-round performance to defeat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets in Match 23 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 147, the hosts completed the victory with 29 balls remaining, registering their first win over Lucknow at the venue and moving to the top of the points table.
After winning the toss and opting to field, RCB’s bowlers set the tone on a surface that did not entirely live up to its high-scoring reputation. Lucknow Super Giants struggled to build sustained partnerships as Bengaluru’s attack maintained pressure across phases. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 40, while Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary played promising cameos, but the visitors were unable to shift momentum in their favour.
Lucknow’s innings also suffered an early setback when captain Rishabh Pant was struck on the elbow, briefly forcing him off the field and disrupting the flow of the batting order. The interruption reflected the broader rhythm of the innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals as LSG finished on 146 for 8 in 20 overs.
RCB’s bowling unit combined control with impact. Rasikh Salam Dar produced a decisive spell of 4 for 24, consistently breaking partnerships at key moments, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided valuable support with three wickets. Josh Hazlewood’s disciplined spell further ensured that Lucknow were restricted to a below-par total at a venue typically associated with high scores.
In response, RCB approached the chase with measured intent. Virat Kohli, introduced as the Impact Player, anchored the innings with a fluent 49, ensuring the required rate never escalated. Contributions from captain Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, both scoring quick runs in the middle overs, kept the innings on track despite losing wickets in a brief cluster.
With the foundation set, Tim David and Romario Shepherd applied the finishing touches, guiding RCB to 149 for 5 in just 15.1 overs. The comfortable margin of victory marked the second-largest defeat for Lucknow Super Giants in terms of balls remaining, underlining Bengaluru’s control across both innings.
The match also produced a rare statistical outcome, becoming the first completed game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium since 2018 without an individual half-century, highlighting the collective nature of RCB’s performance.
Josh Hazlewood was named Player of the Match for his contribution with the ball, as Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling effort proved decisive in conditions that demanded adaptability rather than outright power hitting.
The victory continues Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s strong run in IPL 2026 and reinforces the balance within their squad across departments. Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, will look to improve batting consistency as the tournament progresses, particularly in matches where their bowling unit succeeds in keeping targets within reach.
Even at a venue known for high totals, the contest served as a reminder that structure, execution and control remain just as valuable as explosive scoring in shaping outcomes in the evolving landscape of IPL 2026.
Scorecard:
Lucknow Super Giants: 146, Overs 20, Mitchell Marsh 40, Rasikh Salam Dar 4/24
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 149-5, Overs 15.1, Virat Kohli 49, Prince Yadav 3/32
