Aided by KL Rahul’s injury early in the match, Royal Challengers Bangalore did just enough to eke out an 18-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in a low-scoring Indian Premier League game at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday.
LSG skipper Rahul pulled his right thigh muscle in the second over of RCB innings while trying to stop a boundary and came out to bat only towards the end, which acted in favour of the visitors. LSG dished out a fine bowling display to restrict RCB to a below-par 126 after being asked to bowl first.
RCB did the impossible by defending 127 runs. They kept chipping away with the wickets which kept increasing the pressure on LSG batters. Karn Sharma has been the pick of the bowlers as he picked up both Stoinis and Pooran that took any chance of LSG winning away after early wickets. A special mention should also go to KL Rahul who despite struggling with an injury came out to bat. The win for RCB keeps them alive in the tournament and makes it more interesting for playoff qualification.
RCB are coming to Lucknow on the back of back a crushing defeat at home against KKR and beating LSG in their backyard isn’t going to be an easy task for RCB. Faf du Plessis-led side lost against KL Rahul & Co. in a high-scoring contest at home.
Offered a batting beauty in Mohali, LSG batters went on the rampage but they have struggled due to the slow nature of the surface here. Rahul’s team would, however, be expected to put up a much better show than what they managed in their previous home game as they failed to chase 136 from a commanding position.
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