So Lucknow still stands in contrast to this IPL season that has set scoring records. Following the two thrilling high-scoring games on Sunday, RCB defeated Lucknow Super Giants on Monday by 18 runs in a low-scoring match that featured only 234 runs and as many as 19 wickets.
With this victory, RCB climbs to the fifth spot, while LSG, who is also on 10 points but is third due to a fantastic NRR, suffers their third straight home loss.
The alliance that changed the game
With a 62-run opening partnership between Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, the game may have been won right away. On a wicket that was predicted to play slowly, the South African, who had returned as the team’s captain, chose to bat. The seasoned pair proceeded cautiously during the initial phase, especially when facing Krunal Pandya, who bowled three overs during the powerplay while only allowing 14 runs to be scored.
Even though boundaries were hard to come by, the hitters skillfully selected their scoring opportunities and utilized the gaps brilliantly to pick quick singles. They briefly increased their rate of scoring, but Kohli only managed three boundaries in his 31-ball total. Du Plessis’ situation was even worse, as he only discovered a four and a six.
Middle-overs stranglehold
Due to the leg-spin combination of Ravi Bishnoi and Amit Mishra, LSG, who had five spin options available, gained the upper hand in the middle overs. They caused a collapse and managed the rate of scoring by changing their speed. While Mishra had Suyash Prabhudesai hole out to long off and du Plessis edging to cover, Bishnoi had Kohli stumped and Maxwell trapped leg before.
Anuj Rawat was caught slogging at deep mid-wicket by K Gowtham, who had replaced Avesh Khan. This furthered RCB’s difficulties. RCB fell from 62 for no loss to 109 for 5 in a span of 42 balls.
The triple burst of Naveen ul Haq
There was no room for RCB’s bottom order to recover from the slump thanks to the effective deployment of the Afghanistan pacer’s slower deliveries. Wanindu Hasaranga remained firm at one end, but Naveen dismissed Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, and Siraj at the other end, keeping him out off strike for a considerable amount of time.
RCB stifles LSG
Impact Substitute Ayush Badoni entered the game in place of KL Rahul, who had sustained an injury on the field, to start the innings with Kyle Mayers. They were, however, expelled even before they had a chance to settle in. In the second ball, Mayers was caught behind by Siraj for a duck, and Badoni cover drove Hazlewood to Kohli. Krunal ultimately misfired a shot to Kohli in the interim. Deepak Hooda was deceived by Hasaranga and stumped at the conclusion of the powerplay, bringing their total to 27 for 4.
Middle: Cat-and-mouse game
Early on, Nicholas Pooran started to attack, slogging Hasaranga for a first-ball six. That assault, however, was quickly stopped when he attempted a slog-sweep off Karn Sharma in the following over, only to top edge and be caught.
Despite the rapid loss of wickets, LSG preferred to go on the offensive. K Gowtham best utilized this tactic when he hit both leggies for sixes in consecutive overs. The hosts received a much-needed boost from his onslaught. But RCB quickly retaliated after the struggling Marcus Stoinis was unable to execute that strategy successfully. Karn’s second wicket of the day came as a result of his mistimed slog, which led to his being caught at long-on.
The firing of Gowtham, however, turned out to be too expensive for LSG. His 13-ball innings came to an end on 23 when he attempted a tight second run but was overtaken by Sonu Yadav’s flat throw from deep.
In control at the end
In an effort to deepen the game, Amit Mishra, Naveen ul Haq, and Ravi Bishnoi did their best. However, despite their efforts to use conventional weapons, their poor power-hitting abilities meant that the necessary rate kept rising. Even Bishnoi, who was attempting to grab a fast run, was run out. Although they did encounter a few fortunate boundaries, the target was never in danger.
Rahul, who came out to bat at No. 11 with 24 needed off of 8 balls, was unable to contribute but did allow Mishra to score a few runs and close the gap with the NRR.
