Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Lucknow Super Giants, Match 23 Match Summary

The journey continues - No rest days in the IPL as the caravan keeps moving along. Next up, we have another humdinger of a contest in the making. Wankhede will be in action once again as Mumbai Indians, searching for momentum and wins, face the only unbeaten team this season, Punjab Kings. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Our buildup, as usual, begins in advance. So do join us for that as well. Until then, we sign off. Ta-ta, stay safe. Cheers!

RCB outfox LSG - Fifth consecutive win at home for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and they are making a habit of winning with authority in their title defence. Interestingly, they have won their first game in last three against LSG at Chinnaswamy. They have the momentum as they go top of the table and will next host Delhi Capitals on Saturday, 18th April, at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). Lucknow Super Giants, on the other hand, have a lot of soul-searching to do, especially with their batting approach. With too many players out of touch, they do look thin right now. They will get back to the drawing board and will travel to Mullanpur to face Punjab Kings on Sunday, 19th April, at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), aiming to get back to winning ways.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Josh Hazlewood wins the award for his excellent spell of 1/20 in 4 overs. On his rhythm and fitness, he says he feels much better and is pleased to be in good shape. On his ability to pick the right length, he details it was a combination of factors, including the opposition, the players at the other end, and the conditions. He notes that the surface was quite slow with variable bounce, so he focused on hitting the right areas consistently to get results. He also calls it an all-round team effort, adding that the other bowlers were outstanding. On not relying on too many variations, he admits that he would like to have more funky deliveries but says that with his rhythmic, more classical action, it can be challenging at times. He stresses that he continues to work on his slower balls and is always looking to add to his arsenal and keep improving.

The victorious captain of RCB - Rajat Patidar starts off by talking about the bowling and feels that the way the pacers hit the deck was amazing to watch. On Krunal Pandya, Rajat says that he's a courageous bowler and so is Suyash Sharma. On Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he says that when you have a T20 specialist like him, it gives you the peace of mind as a captain. On RCB's fielding, Rajat says that they always worked hard on that aspect and is happy with it. Ends by saying that they are taking it one game at a time and not thinking too far ahead for now.

... Time for the post-match Presentation ...

Here's the ORANGE CAP holder - RCB's Virat Kohli, on how he is feeling, says he is doing much better than the previous game. Though he admits that he is not yet 100 percent fit. He also admits to being under the weather over the past few days but is pleased with the way he started and the intensity he showed. Says that he would have liked to carry on and finish the game, but notes that the wicket had slowed down and required adjustment to conditions. Speaking about the surface, he observes that it was slower than usual, with little grass and hot weather in the lead-up contributing to the change. He underlines that the plan was to push the game away from the opposition and expresses satisfaction with his approach in putting the team in a strong position. On the batting unit, he highlights the presence of key players and the clarity in roles. He also mentions that Rajat Patidar was tasked with assessing situations and reading bowlers, adding that the team’s structure allowed players to operate with freedom. He also points out the intimidating depth which Romario Shepherd and Tim David provide down the order. Also notes how well the team has passed the baton between phases. On their approach moving forward in the tournament, he stresses that it would depend heavily on conditions and match situations, noting that every game won't be high scoring. He adds that when freedom is limited and pressure builds, smart cricket becomes crucial, and teams that adapt better will come out on top. He feels that he has done reasonably well in adjusting so far, even if he hasn’t been at his best in the last couple of matches, he reiterates to keep raising the bar.

The stand-in captain of LSG - Nicholas Pooran says that it was a tough evening for them and feels that 175 would have been competitive. Admits that they have been below par with the bat and adds that it is tough to stay consistent in T20 cricket, but feels that the guys are trying hard and just when the time comes, they need to take responsibility. On his own form, Pooran says that he is actually feeling good and hitting the ball well in the nets but it hasn't come off in the matches so far, and ends by saying that he has been in this position before and hopes to come back stronger.

A flight that never took off - On an uncharacteristic Chinnaswamy surface, the toss proved crucial. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram couldn't put on a dominant opening stand yet again. While Marsh, Ayush Badoni and Mukul Chaudhary made useful contributions, none could shift the pressure back as RCB just kept mounting pressure, hunting in a pack with regular wickets. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar set the tone by strangling the Powerplay, before Suyash and Krunal took over with clever variations through the middle. Rasikh's four-for and Bhuvneshwar’s three-wicket haul sealed the all-round bowling effort, while Hazlewood’s miserly 1/20 stood out despite just one wicket. Rishabh Pant’s injury after taking a couple of body blows and being retired hurt only compounded LSG’s struggles.

Enough resources to get the job done - Both Padikkal and Kohli departed after a Kohli-dominated 57-run stand, which truly broke the back of the chase. Patidar and Jitesh further twisted the knife with their breezy knocks. RCB did lose a couple of quick wickets, but with enough firepower in the ranks, the job to finish was done by Tim David and Romario Shepherd. That all-round depth is what makes RCB so dangerous. They were sharp with the ball, clinical with the bat. But more importantly, they were outstanding in the field, a clear point of difference between the two sides, while LSG lagged behind in that department and were left with plenty to ponder.

The chase-master shows how it's done - Despite losing Phil Salt early to uneven bounce, RCB remained in control through Virat Kohli’s proactive intent. On a surface where the ball held up, he showcased the ideal approach, staying composed and playing some sumptuous strokes by letting the ball arrive. LSG’s pacers lacked discipline, often dropping too short or straying too wide, and Kohli dined on those errors to keep RCB firmly in command. They were 60/1 after the Powerplay, with LSG's 35/1 at the same stage. And one feels the game was done then and there.

Royal Challengers rule Chinnaswamy - A comfortable win for RCB, another win at home and they move to the top of the points table with just one blip so far. An overall dominant performance by them to outclass the Super Giants, who looked like they never arrived in the contest. Yes, they picked a few quick wickets, but the fate was written on the wall by then. Honestly, they just didn't have enough runs on the board, which will bring their batting department under the scanner now.

FOUR! That's it, it's all over. George Linde bowls it slow and short, wide outside off. Romario Shepherd camps back and scythes the cut shot to the right of backward point and ends proceedings with a boundary. Royal Challengers Bengaluru win by 5 wickets and 29 balls to spare.

Possibly the last over of the match, then. George Linde to bowl.

Full and straight, gets it full enough, does Avesh. Shepherd drives it to long off for a single. Still, 2 needed for the win for RCB.

SIX! Shepherd wants to end proceedings in this over itself. Slower ball, on a length and around off, Romario Shepherd reads it early, waits for it and powers it across and over wide long on for a biggie. Just 3 needed for the win now.

Pitched fuller on middle, David clears the front leg but fails to get under the ball and drills it down to long off for just one more.

Back of a length and outside off, Shepherd glides the ball off the face of the ball and behind point for a single.

Oh, a bit of yes and no between the batters, but the fumble from the fielder lets the batters off the hook again. Good length on off, Shepherd nudges it to the right of point and looks for the single. Abdul Samad moves to his right but fails to pick up the ball cleanly and the batters eventually backtrack and not go for the single.

On a good length, around off, slanting it in. Shepherd gets forward and drives it towards mid off.

FOUR! Misfield now from Linde. Flicks off the fingers, and lands it short, outside off. Tim David rocks back and executes the cut shot to perfection through the point gap. George Linde runs across to his left from deep cover. Puts in a dive, gets his hands on the ball, but ends up parrying it to the ropes behind.

IN THE AIR... PUT DOWN! A top effort, goes in vain. Short ball on middle stump. David rocks back and goes for a big heave towards cow corner, but mistimes and does not have the distance or the power to clear the ropes. Abdul Samad moves to his left from deep mid-wicket, takes the catch while running, but then realises he is going beyond the ropes, so he lobs it up casually towards Markram converging from long on. The timing between the two fielders is completely off, almost as if they’re in different time zones. Markram is nowhere near in a position to complete it as Samad runs over the ropes. Two taken.

SIX! Hit flat and clean! Overpitched and around off, Tim David reads the googly nicely, gets under it and pumps it behind long off for a cracking six.

Slows it up and slides it onto the pads. David gets on the front foot to push it straight back, but inside edges onto the pads.

Pushed full and on leg, clipped gently to mid-wicket.

The googly at 89.4 kph, around off and short. Romario Shepherd camps back and punches it through the vacant cover region for a single.

Low full toss, on off, David drives it straight to short cover.

Back of a length and on the pads. Shepherd rides the bounce and steers it to the deep square leg region for a single.

Another one bites the dust, and Romario Shepherd walks out to bat at number 7.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Double strike by Prince as Jitesh bites the dust. Is there any twist left? Back of a length on a fourth stump line, jagging back in. Jitesh gets half forward and swings hard to go big down the ground, but only manages a faint outside edge. Mukul Choudhary gathers it safely in his gloves, goes up in an appeal instantly, joined by Prince Yadav, and the umpire raises the finger. RCB are 122/5, chasing 147.

At the stumps, full, David works it to long on for a single.