Big Picture: Can Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spoil Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) hopes for a top-two finish?
RCB is on the brink of securing a direct path to the IPL 2025 final, needing only a win against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to guarantee a place in Qualifier 1 with 19 points. A victory would ensure they avoid the eliminator, unlike last year, when they were knocked out after a loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR).
However, LSG’s recent form has been formidable, defeating top-ranked Gujarat Titans (GT) with Mitchell Marsh’s explosive century. The return of Nicholas Pooran to form also adds depth to LSG’s batting, while young fast bowler Will O’Rourke has impressed with four wickets in his two outings. If LSG triumph on Tuesday, RCB will finish third and face the eliminator.
RCB faces a significant setback with the potential absence of key batter Tim David, who is sidelined with an injury. However, they are bolstered by the return of Josh Hazlewood, who re-joins the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Team News and Match Preview
RCB will make a couple of changes, with Hazlewood replacing Lungi Ngidi, who is flying out for WTC final preparations. The absence of Tim David leaves a hole in their middle-order, though Liam Livingstone and Tim Seifert, brought in as replacements, will provide much-needed depth.
RCB’s probable XI:
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Mayank Agarwal
- Rajat Patidar
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Romario Shepherd
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
For LSG, the return of Digvesh Rathi from suspension could prompt a reshuffle, with the possibility of Rishabh Pant moving up the order. The team may also look to experiment with bench players, including Matthew Breetzke, Aryan Juyal, and Yuvraj Chaudhary, all of whom have not featured prominently this season.
Pitch and Conditions
The match will be played on a mixed-soil pitch at Lucknow, known for being batting-friendly. With temperatures soaring over 36°C and high humidity, conditions will be tough, and players will need to adapt quickly. No rain is expected, so a full game is on the cards.
Key Stats and Trends
- RCB must find a way to stop LSG’s overseas batters, with Mitchell Marsh hitting the second-most sixes in the powerplay and Pooran dominating the middle overs.
- Will RCB dare to bowl Krunal Pandya to Pooran, who has hit 25 sixes against spin in this IPL? The two have faced each other just 15 times in the past.
- RCB could make history by becoming the first team to win all their seven away games in an IPL season.
Virat Kohli is just 24 runs away from completing 9,000 runs for RCB, across IPL and Champions League T20.
Conclusion:
The match between RCB and LSG will not only decide RCB’s fate in the IPL 2025 playoffs but also set the stage for an intense finish to the league stages. With both teams bringing key players into form, it promises to be a game full of action. Will RCB secure their top-two finish, or will LSG upset the odds?
