As the IPL 2025 season draws to a close, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the dominant Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) square off in Match 59 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, May 9. With the playoff race heating up, this match carries immense significance for RCB, while LSG will look to salvage some pride.
A win for RCB will ensure their spot in the IPL 2025 Playoffs, possibly even pushing them to the top of the table. For LSG, the road ahead looks grim; even three wins in their remaining matches may not be enough due to a poor net run rate.
With an average first-innings score of 155–165 runs, the Ekana pitch has always aided slower bowlers and spinners. Batting isn't the easiest on this surface, and teams often prefer setting a target here rather than chasing.
Perfect conditions for a full 40-over contest.
RCB have had the upper hand historically in this fixture:
RCB defeated LSG at this venue in 2023 by 18 runs, a stat they'll look to build upon.
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1. Aiden Markram, 2. Mitchell Marsh, 3. Nicholas Pooran (WK), 4. Rishabh Pant (C), 5. Ayush Badoni, 6. David Miller, 7. Abdul Samad, 8. Avesh Khan, 9. Akash Singh, 10. Digvesh Singh, 11. Prince Yadav / Mayank Yadav
Impact Players: 1. Ravi Bishnoi, 2. Shahbaz Ahmed, 3. Himmat Singh, 4. Yuvraj Chaudhary
Note: Pant’s form is under scrutiny, and this could be a do-or-die innings for him.
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1. Virat Kohli, 2. Jacob Bethell, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Rajat Patidar (C), 5. Jitesh Sharma (WK), 6. Tim David, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Romario Shepherd, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Yash Dayal
Impact Players: 1. Rasikh Salam, 2. Manoj Bhandage, 3. Swapnil Singh, 4. Suyash Sharma
RCB have remained unbeaten away from home this season – a significant advantage going into this clash.
With the playoffs on the line, RCB enter the contest as clear favorites. However, LSG, playing at home, could pull off a surprise if their star-studded lineup finally clicks. As history suggests, anything is possible in the IPL.
Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs DC Match Cancelled Due to Pakistan Attack
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