Lucknow: Mitchell Marsh's explosive century and Rishabh Pant's half-century set up Lucknow Super Giants for a commanding total, before their bowlers, led by Prince Yadav, clung on for a tense nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a rain-reduced 19-overs IPL clash at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Batting first after losing the toss, LSG racked up 209/3, powered by Marsh's blistering 111, Pant's 32, and Nicholas Pooran's late 38 not out. RCB fell short at 203/6 chasing a DLS-adjusted 213, despite fiery knocks from Rajat Patidar (61 off 31), Tim David (40 off 17), and Romario Shepherd.
RCB's chase unravelled early with Mohammed Shami removing Jacob Bethell in the first over and Prince Yadav castling Virat Kohli for a golden duck, leaving them at 9/2. Devdutt Padikkal (34 off 25) and skipper Patidar rebuilt with flair—Patidar smashing three fours and six sixes, including a 29-ball fifty—but LSG fought back.
Prince Yadav struck twice in an over, pouching Padikkal off his own bowling and dismissing Jitesh Sharma cheaply. Shahbaz Ahmed then removed Patidar, caught at long-off, and later trapped David at backward point after the Australian's onslaught of three sixes.
Shepherd and Krunal Pandya threatened late with boundaries off Shami and Prince, but Digvesh Singh Rathi defended 28 in the final over—despite a four and a wide—to seal the win. The victory ends LSG's rough patch, with their death bowling proving decisive on a flat track.
Lucknow Super Giants 209/3 in 19 overs (Mitchell Marsh 111, Nicholas Pooran 38*, Rishabh Pant 32; Krunal Pandya 1-31) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203/6 in 19 overs (Rajat Patidar 61, Tim David 40; Prince Yadav 3-33, Shahbaz Ahmed 2-33) by 9 runs (DLS).
(Inputs from IANS)