Lucknow Super Giants end six-match losing streak with rain-shortened IPL 2026 victory
The match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium was reduced to 19 overs per side, yet the home side maintained their playoff ambitions while RCB retained third place on the points table.
Lucknow Super Giants have ended a six-match losing streak to secure their first home victory of the 2026 season, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by nine runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. The contest, played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, was significantly impacted by rain, which reduced the playing time to 19 overs per side. Despite the weather interruptions, the match concluded with LSG posting a formidable total that left the visitors chasing a revised target of 213.
Mitchell Marsh provided the foundation for the home side's innings, scoring an explosive 111 off 56 balls to guide LSG to 209/3. His aggressive approach included nine fours and nine sixes, dismantling the Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowling attack from the outset. Marsh reached his fastest IPL fifty in just 20 balls, contributing to a 95-run opening stand with Arshin Kulkarni before skipper Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 32 off 10 deliveries to finish the innings.
The decisive factor in the match came from LSG pacer Prince Yadav, who claimed three wickets for 33 runs. In a notable tactical moment, Yadav dismissed Virat Kohli with a sharp nip-backer on his second delivery of the innings. The 24-year-old pacer revealed that the specific line and length used to dismiss the RCB captain was based on advice Kohli had given him after their previous encounter. This dismissal marked Kohli's first IPL duck since April 2023.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's chase faltered despite a resilient effort from Rajat Patidar, who scored 61 runs. The visitors also received contributions from Devdutt Padikkal with 34 runs, but the partnership was ultimately broken by Yadav's subsequent wickets. Although Tim David, Krunal Pandya, and Romario Shepherd launched a late assault, Digvesh Rathi defended 20 runs in the final over to hand LSG a crucial victory.
The result leaves Lucknow Super Giants with their playoff hopes alive, having secured a vital win on home soil. Conversely, Royal Challengers Bengaluru retain their third-placed standing on the IPL 2026 points table, buoyed by a strong Net Run Rate that continues to serve as a buffer for their qualification chances despite the narrow defeat.
