LSG vs RCB: Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs in a close encounter

Lucknow Super Giants failed to chase a low target of 127 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2023 clash on Monday. Lucknow got off to a dreadful start and lost their top five in seven overs. Krishnappa Gowtham showed some intent but LSG were bundled out for 108 in 19.5 overs and lost the contest by 18 runs. Earlier Amit Mishra and Ravi Bishnoi scalped two wickets each, while Naveen-ul-Haq scalped three as LSG managed to restrict at 126/9 in 20 overs. Faf du Plessis scored 44(40) and reclaimed the Orange Cap. LSG faced a big injury scare as KL Rahul limped off the field in the second over. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was involved in some tense moments with Naveen-ul-Haq before exchanging a few words with LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir post-match. Read the match report of the LSG vs RCB clash and share your thoughts in the comments.

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LSG vs RCB: IPL 2023 Match Report

A steady start from RCB with the bat

RCB won the toss and decided to bat first. Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis came opened with the bat while Krunal Pandya started the proceedings with the new ball. Virat Kohli started with a boundary in the first over. Marcus Stoinis led the attack from the other end in the 2nd over and he almost got the wicket of Du Plessis. He mistimed his shot, which fell just out of Naveen-ul-Haq's reach. Kohli then mistimed his shot as the ball landed just wide of KL Rahul at covers. Du Plessis then finished the over with a solid punch as the ball raced past KL Rahul. After that, LSG restricted the run flows and Bangalore only managed to score 42 runs in the powerplay.

LSG were in full control during the middle and death overs

Kohli & Faf added the 50-run stand in the 8th over. Ravi Bishnoi struck as Virat Kohli got stumped for 31(30). He Bowled it slightly short and beat Kohli, who charged down the track but completely mistimed it. Pooran made no mistake and did the rest. Krishnappa Gowtham provided LSG with the second breakthrough as Anuj Rawat fell for 9(11). The batter tried to target the smaller boundaries but ended up handing a simple catch to Kyle Mayers. Bishnoi picked his second wicket of the match as he trapped Maxwell LBW for 4(5).

Lucknow introduced Amit Mishra in the attack and he started with a wicket straightaway. Suyash Prabhudessai failed to control his shot as Krishnappa Gowtham took a good catch at long-off. He fell for 6(7). Play resumed after the rain delay as Karthik hit a boundary in the first ball. RCB moved to 99/4 after the end of 16 overs. Mishra picked up the huge wicket of the set batter Faf du Plessis, who had to take the long walk back to the pavilion. He mistimed his shot as the ball ballooned up in the air as Krunal Pandya called for the catch and completed it safely. Du Plessis departed after a well-fought inning of 44(40).

Yash Thakur did a great fielding after bowling at the same time and Dinesh Karthik got run out for 16 runs. RCB managed to score only 6 runs in the final over and put up a total of 126 runs after the end of 20 overs.

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LSG vs RCB: IPL 2023 Match Report

Siraj, Hasaranga, Maxwell & Hazlewood gave a perfect start during defending the low total

RCB got off to a great start as Siraj removed the wicket of Kyle Mayers for a duck. Krunal Pandya hit Siraj for a hattrick of fours in his second over. 16 runs came off the over as LSG moved to 18/1 in 3 overs. Maxwell got introduced in the attack and removed Krunal Pandya in his first over, who failed to control his shot after charging down the track, which resulted in a simple catch for Kohli at long-off. The batter fell for 14(11) after a decent start. Hazlewood returned to the attack and he got rid of Ayush Badoni in the first ball. Lucknow fell into deep trouble as Deepak Hooda got stumped for 1(2). Hasaranga gave the perfect end to the powerplay by giving RCB a much-needed start.

RCB showed intensity with brilliant fielding and bowling in the middle overs

Karn Sharma struck as LSG lose half their side with just 38 on the board in 7 overs. Gowtham started well by showing some intent and tried to carry the team. Hasaranga joined the attack and Krishnappa Gowtham and Stoinis rotated the strike until the fourth ball before Gowtham dispatched the Lankan for a six straight over the bowler's head.10 runs came off the over as LSG moved to 63/5 at the halfway stage.

LSG vs RCB: A huge victory for Bangalore as they moved to the 5th position in the points table

Karn Sharma delivered RCB the big wicket of Marcus Stoinis. He fell for 13(19). Stoinis failed to get the desired timing and Prabhudessai made no mistake at the deep. Krishnappa Gowtham lost his wicket as he tried to steal a double after knocking the ball toward the third-man region. He failed to complete his ground by a small margin and returned to the pavilion for 23(13). No other batter except Amit Mishra was able to step up. Everyone threw away their wicket easily. Harshal Patel removed Amit Mishra for 19(30) as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs in a 127-run chase.