LSG vs RCB IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Triumph by 6 Wickets in Lucknow Thriller

On May 27, 2025, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow witnessed a pulsating IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In the final league match of the season, RCB pulled off a stunning chase, defeating LSG by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare to secure a top-two finish and a berth in Qualifier 1. Stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma’s explosive 85 not out off 33 balls overshadowed a brilliant 118 not out by LSG’s Rishabh Pant, as RCB chased down a formidable 228 to cement their playoff momentum. This high-scoring thriller, played before a fervent crowd of over 50,000, showcased RCB’s batting prowess and resilience, setting the stage for a blockbuster Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings.

Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant after his record-breaking Rs 27 crore signing in the IPL 2025 auction, entered the game with 6 wins and 7 losses from 13 matches. Despite a strong start to their IPL journey, reaching playoffs in 2022 and 2023, LSG faltered in 2024, finishing seventh, and were already out of playoff contention in 2025. A 33-run win over Gujarat Titans in their previous outing, powered by Mitchell Marsh’s century, revived hopes of ending the season on a high. Pant, with 151 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 107, had underperformed but showed glimpses of form. The bowling, led by Avesh Khan and Will O’Rourke, aimed to defend a big total at home, where LSG had a strong record batting first.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB, under stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma with Rajat Patidar sidelined, arrived in Lucknow with 8 wins from 13 matches, one game washed out, and a burning desire for a top-two spot. After a rocky 2024, where they won six straight after a poor start, RCB’s 2025 campaign sparkled, with Virat Kohli amassing over 500 runs, including five fifties in away games. A recent 42-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Ekana dented their momentum, but a perfect 6-0 away record fueled confidence. Josh Hazlewood’s return from shoulder rehab bolstered a bowling attack featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, who took 11 wickets away from home. A win would secure 19 points and Qualifier 1.

The Ekana Stadium’s mixed-soil pitch—Odisha black and Mumbai red—promised runs, with long boundaries (64m and 66m square, 74m straight) and potential dew challenging bowlers. Teams batting first had won 12 of 15 matches defending totals here in 2022-23, though 2024-25 saw 8 wins and 10 losses. RCB, winning the toss, opted to bowl, banking on their chasing prowess (4-1 in 2025) and Hazlewood’s return. LSG, unchanged, leaned on Pant and Marsh to post a big score. Clear skies, 36°C heat, and high humidity on May 27, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST set the stage for a run-fest.

The pitch offered early swing, as seen with Nuwan Thushara’s opening spell, but flattened out, favoring batters. Dew, expected in the second innings, influenced RCB’s decision to chase, demanding tight lines from bowlers. The lively crowd and intense stakes amplified the drama.

The Match

Lucknow Super Giants’ Innings: 227/3 in 20 Overs

LSG started steadily, with openers Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Breetzke reaching 11 in the first over off Nuwan Thushara, who found swing. Thushara struck in the third, cleaning up Breetzke (caught off a yorker) for 4, but Rishabh Pant, at No. 3, counterattacked. Pant smashed Yash Dayal for a six and two fours in the fourth over, racing to 19 off 8. Marsh joined the fray, scoring 67 off 37 (solid boundaries and sixes), forming a 152-run stand for the second wicket—LSG’s highest in IPL history, surpassing 121 by Marsh and Pooran.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, oddly held back until the fifth over, broke through, dismissing Marsh, caught by Jitesh Sharma. Pant pressed on, reaching 50 in 29 balls with a four off Krunal Pandya. His unbeaten 118 off 61—11 fours, 8 sixes—came with a signature scoop and a scything four over extra cover off Bhuvneshwar, followed by his iconic flip celebration. LSG crossed 170 in 16 overs and 200 with 2 overs left, finishing at 227 for 3. Nicholas Pooran chipped in late, but Thushara (1 for 26) and Bhuvneshwar (1 for 46) kept RCB in the hunt. The 457-run match aggregate was the highest between these teams in IPL history.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Chase: 230/4 in 18.4 Overs

Chasing 228, RCB’s openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli exploded, racing to 50 in 4 overs. Salt began with a four off Thushara, Kohli ended with four boundaries in the second over off Krunal Pandya. They posted 61 in 5.4 overs before Akash Singh dismissed Salt (caught by Pant) for a brisk cameo. Kohli cruised to 54 off 30, notching his fifth fifty of the season, but fell to Avesh Khan, slicing to long-off. Will O’Rourke rocked RCB in the eighth over, removing Rajat Patidar (six to deep square leg) and Liam Livingstone (lbw) in quick succession, leaving RCB at 123 for 4, needing 105 off 8.4 overs—ESPNcricinfo’s Forecaster gave them a 21.07% chance.

Enter Jitesh Sharma, who turned the game. He started with a boundary off Akash Singh, then plundered 21 off Shahbaz Ahmed’s 15th over—two fours, a six—shifting momentum. With Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh forged an unbeaten 107-run stand for the fifth wicket, the highest for RCB in a chase at that position. Jitesh, dropped on a no-ball by Digvesh Rathi, smashed a free-hit six and reached 50 off 22 balls. Drama ensued when Rathi attempted a Mankad, but Pant sportingly withdrew the appeal, earning Jitesh’s nod. Jitesh finished in style, sweeping Ayush Badoni for a six over deep square leg, ending unbeaten on 85 off 33—RCB’s highest score from No. 6 in a successful chase. Agarwal’s 41 not out off 23 sealed 230 for 4 in 18.4 overs, a 6-wicket win, and RCB’s highest-ever IPL chase.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Early Breakthrough: Nuwan Thushara’s yorker to dismiss Matthew Breetzke in the third over gave RCB hope.
• Pant-Marsh Stand: A 152-run partnership powered LSG to 227, testing RCB’s resolve.
• Kohli’s Blitz: Virat Kohli’s 54 off 30, with four fours in one over, set a brisk tone.
• O’Rourke’s Double Strike: Will O’Rourke’s twin wickets in the eighth over left RCB reeling at 123 for 4.
• Jitesh’s Onslaught: Jitesh Sharma’s 21-run 15th over off Shahbaz Ahmed tilted the game, needing 51 off 5.
• Sportsmanship Drama: Rishabh Pant’s withdrawal of a Mankad appeal against Jitesh showcased IPL’s spirit.
• Final Blow: Jitesh’s six off Ayush Badoni in the 19th sealed RCB’s thrilling chase.

As Jitesh Sharma lofted the winning six, the RCB dugout erupted—Virat Kohli hugged teammates, roaring, while Jitesh pumped his fist, earning Player of the Match for his 85 not out (114.63 Cricinfo MVP points). The Ekana crowd applauded both Pant’s 118 and RCB’s fightback. Jitesh, elated, said, “I can’t express my thoughts! Got a no-ball lifeline, and we grabbed it.” Mayank Agarwal praised Jitesh: “I just gave him strike—he was outstanding.” Pant, gracious in defeat, noted, “We showed potential, but RCB were clinical.” RCB’s win marked their seventh away victory, a first in IPL history, securing 19 points and second place.

Key Performers

• Jitesh Sharma (RCB): Unbeaten 85 off 33 (boundary, 6×6), Player of the Match, turned the chase with a 107-run stand.
• Virat Kohli (RCB): 54 off 30, five fifties in away games, gave RCB a flying start.
• Mayank Agarwal (RCB): Unbeaten 41 off 23, anchored the finish with Jitesh.
• Rishabh Pant (LSG): Unbeaten 118 off 61 (11×4, 8×6), a maiden IPL ton in vain.
• Mitchell Marsh (LSG): 67 off 37, set the tone with Pant for a huge total.
• Nuwan Thushara (RCB): 1 for 26 in 4 overs, early wicket stemmed LSG’s flow.

RCB’s 230 for 4 was their highest successful IPL chase, the third-highest in tournament history. The 457-run aggregate topped LSG-RCB clashes. RCB became the first team to win all 7 away league matches in an IPL season, surpassing KKR and MI’s 7-of-8 in 2012. Jitesh’s 85 not out was the highest by a No. 6 or lower in a successful IPL chase, beating MS Dhoni’s 70 not out (2018). Pant’s 118 not out, off 54 balls for his ton, underlined his Rs 27 crore value. Will O’Rourke’s 2 for 74 was LSG’s most expensive IPL spell, topping Avesh Khan’s 60.

RCB’s 6-wicket triumph, with 8 balls left, sealed second place with 19 points, setting up a Qualifier 1 clash with Punjab Kings on May 29, 2025, in New Chandigarh. Their perfect away record and calculated chase—scoring just 7 sixes, per X posts—highlighted a shift from blind hitting to strategy. LSG, ending with 6 wins, likely finished sixth, but Pant’s knock and sportsmanship left a mark. This match, a rollercoaster of power hitting and clutch play, will echo as RCB’s statement of intent in IPL 2025.

The IPL 2025 league finale on May 27, 2025, at Ekana Stadium saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru stun Lucknow Super Giants, chasing 228 to win by 6 wickets. Jitesh Sharma’s 85 not out trumped Rishabh Pant’s 118 not out, with Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal pivotal in RCB’s historic chase. A 152-run stand by Pant and Marsh couldn’t stop RCB’s relentless batting and perfect away streak. As RCB head to Qualifier 1, this thrilling victory at Lucknow underscored their hunger to end an 18-year IPL title drought.