Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, IPL, 2026 Apr 7 Full score card

FOUR! That's it, it's all over. George Linde bowls it slow and short, wide outside off. Romario Shepherd camps back and scythes the cut shot to the right of backward point and ends proceedings with a boundary. Royal Challengers Bengaluru win by 5 wickets and 29 balls to spare.

Possibly the last over of the match, then. George Linde to bowl.

Full and straight, gets it full enough, does Avesh. Shepherd drives it to long off for a single. Still, 2 needed for the win for RCB.

SIX! Shepherd wants to end proceedings in this over itself. Slower ball, on a length and around off, Romario Shepherd reads it early, waits for it and powers it across and over wide long on for a biggie. Just 3 needed for the win now.

Pitched fuller on middle, David clears the front leg but fails to get under the ball and drills it down to long off for just one more.

Back of a length and outside off, Shepherd glides the ball off the face of the ball and behind point for a single.

Oh, a bit of yes and no between the batters, but the fumble from the fielder lets the batters off the hook again. Good length on off, Shepherd nudges it to the right of point and looks for the single. Abdul Samad moves to his right but fails to pick up the ball cleanly and the batters eventually backtrack and not go for the single.

On a good length, around off, slanting it in. Shepherd gets forward and drives it towards mid off.

FOUR! Misfield now from Linde. Flicks off the fingers, and lands it short, outside off. Tim David rocks back and executes the cut shot to perfection through the point gap. George Linde runs across to his left from deep cover. Puts in a dive, gets his hands on the ball, but ends up parrying it to the ropes behind.

IN THE AIR... PUT DOWN! A top effort, goes in vain. Short ball on middle stump. David rocks back and goes for a big heave towards cow corner, but mistimes and does not have the distance or the power to clear the ropes. Abdul Samad moves to his left from deep mid-wicket, takes the catch while running, but then realises he is going beyond the ropes, so he lobs it up casually towards Markram converging from long on. The timing between the two fielders is completely off, almost as if they’re in different time zones. Markram is nowhere near in a position to complete it as Samad runs over the ropes. Two taken.

SIX! Hit flat and clean! Overpitched and around off, Tim David reads the googly nicely, gets under it and pumps it behind long off for a cracking six.

Slows it up and slides it onto the pads. David gets on the front foot to push it straight back, but inside edges onto the pads.

Pushed full and on leg, clipped gently to mid-wicket.

The googly at 89.4 kph, around off and short. Romario Shepherd camps back and punches it through the vacant cover region for a single.

Low full toss, on off, David drives it straight to short cover.

Back of a length and on the pads. Shepherd rides the bounce and steers it to the deep square leg region for a single.

Another one bites the dust, and Romario Shepherd walks out to bat at number 7.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Double strike by Prince as Jitesh bites the dust. Is there any twist left? Back of a length on a fourth stump line, jagging back in. Jitesh gets half forward and swings hard to go big down the ground, but only manages a faint outside edge. Mukul Choudhary gathers it safely in his gloves, goes up in an appeal instantly, joined by Prince Yadav, and the umpire raises the finger. RCB are 122/5, chasing 147.

At the stumps, full, David works it to long on for a single.

The next batter is Tim David.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP THE CHIMNEY AND TAKEN! An enterprising knock from Patidar comes to an end. Spears it full and on the stumps, does Prince. Rajat Patidar clears the front leg and looks to dump it behind deep mid-wicket, but only manages to get a thick top edge. The ball spoons high up in the night sky and swirls while descending. Digvesh Singh calls for his catch, moves to his right from cover and settles under it to take a fine catch. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 121/4, needing only 26 runs from 46 balls.

SIX! Played with ease and at will! Prince fires it full in length, just outside off. Patidar stays put, and just lets his hands through the shot. Launches it over wide long off fence for half a dozen runs.

FOUR! Digvesh is taken to the cleaners! Short and wide, Jitesh Sharma picks the length nicely, goes deep in the crease and cuts it late behind point, beating Mitchell Marsh to his left in the deep for another boundary. 23 runs from this over. A massive one for the hosts.

SIX! Jitesh in a hurry now! Digvesh serves it full and on off. Jitesh Sharma again nails the inside out shot over deep extra cover for a comfortable six more runs.

FOUR! Placed to perfection! Not that full and not too short either, somewhere in-between. Jitesh Sharma drops down to one knee and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for four more runs.

SIX! Just over! Pitched full and around off. Jitesh Sharma takes the front foot forward, and lofts it inside out over the extra cover region. Himmat Singh, just for a moment, feels he is in the game, but sees the ball sail over his head. This is the 400th six in this season of the IPL.

Short again, outside off. Jitesh rocks back and punches it wide of cover. Mitchell Marsh runs to his left from deep point and fumbles to pick it up cleanly. Two taken.

Drops it short, on the stumps. Patidar camps back and eases it down to long on for an easy run.

Hard length, on leg, Patidar knocks it off the back foot through wide mid on for a single. RCB need 55 runs from 54 balls.

FOUR! Easily done! Short of a good length, outside off, enough width to work with. Rajat Patidar uses the pace, opens the face of the bat and cuts it late, between and over the keeper and the short third fielder for a boundary.

Hits the good length, outside off, Jitesh cuts it uppishly over point for a single.

Hard length, over off. Jitesh lets the ball come and dabs it in front of point with soft hands.

Back of a length, on off, Sharma rides the bounce and eases it to the point region.

Jitesh Sharma is sent up the order, at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN EASILY! Kohli departs two short of his half century. Nonetheless, a well-compiled knock. Full length around the fourth stump at 133.1 kph, shaping back in a touch. Kohli leans into it, looking to loft it straight over the bowler, but the bat turns in his hands and he miscues it off the inner half. In fact, Kohli didn't complete his follow-through after hitting the shot. The ball goes high towards long on, where Pooran settles under it and completes a safe catch. Avesh has two to his name. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 86/3, chasing 147 runs.

Halfway reached. RCB in a very comfortable position. They need 61 runs from 60 balls, with 8 wickets in hand. Switch of ends for Avesh Khan. 2-0-8-1 so far. He replaces Shami.

Slightly short on middle, pulled down to long on for a single. RCB are 86/2 after 10 overs, in a chase of 147 runs.

Fuller this time, fired in a bit and just outside off. Kohli camps back and taps it down to point.

Linde goes quicker and bangs it into the pitch, taking a leaf out of Krunal Pandya's book, perhaps. This is short and around off, Patidar clubs it without much timing over mid off and gets a single.

Flighted this time, full and outside off, caressed through the cover region for another single.

Flatter on off, stays a tad low, Patidar hops back and cuts it to the right of deep point for one.

Full on middle, Kohli leans on and drives it along the turf to long off for a single.

George Linde, LSG's impact sub, is brought into the attack now, replacing Avesh Khan.

Pitched up fuller on off and middle, punched back straight to the bowler with the full face of the bat.

SIX! It's been nearly impossible to tie down Rajat Patidar this season. Shami goes short and directs it in towards the batter's face. However, Patidar rides the bounce well, uses those quick hands and clobbers the pull shot over backward square leg for another biggie. This is Patidar's 20th six this season, the most by any batter so far (shown on the on-air graphic).

SIX! Picked up and dispatched. Slower ball, just too full, though. Patidar waits well before laying into the lofted shot and launching it over long on for a biggie.

Fuller this time, on middle, Patidar punches it across to short mid-wicket.

Shortish length, on the pads, nudged down through backward square leg for one.

That surprised Kohli. A quick bumper from Shami, actually, it is a cross-seamer as well and the ball climbs up quickly. Kohli looks to pull but is well beaten.

Mohammad Shami (2-0-17-0) returns into the attack, replacing Digvesh Singh.

Slower ball, wide outside off, Kohli has to wait for it before he reaches out and taps it in front of point for just a single.

Back of a length and outside off, Kohli looks to slap it through covers, but the ball doesn't quite come onto the bat, and Kohli chops it into the turf.

Straighter in line this time, worked away on the leg side for a single.

Nicely bowled. Good length in the channel, seams away after pitching as well. Rajat Patidar plays inside the line of the ball and gets beaten past the outside edge.

Out goes Padikkal and in walks the new batter. It is the RCB skipper, Rajat Patidar, in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! A well-directed short ball from Avesh Khan and the 57-run stand is broken. Avesh comes around the wicket and hammers the shorter length, angling the ball into the body of the batter. Devdutt Padikkal tries to rock back and pull but the ball gets big on him and he forces the pull shot aerially over square leg. The ball goes straight to the substitute fielder, Himmat Singh, at deep square leg, and he makes no mistake. 81 more needed off 76 balls.

Back of a length from Avesh, following the batter towards the leg side. Kohli gets cramped for room as he tries to come forward and plays it through mid on for one.

Flatter one on off and middle, swatted down to long on, off the back foot and for just another single.

Full and on leg stump, Padikkal goes on one knee, sweeping it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

In and around off, nudged away with soft hands and past point for a run.

Oh, a better throw and Kohli was a goner! Fuller one on off, Kohli blocks it to the left of cover and sets off for the single. Padikkal sends him back but VK is almost halfway down the track when he turns back. Nicholas Pooran is the one who gets to the ball but fires in a wide throw at the keeper's end as Kohli dives in to safety.

Quicker through the air, angled across off, Padikkal backs away and smacks it through the point region for one more.

Dropped shorter and angled into the batter, Kohli rocks back to pull but snatches at it and mistimes it through square leg for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! RCB moving at exactly 10 runs per over, in a modest chase of 147. Just shows how commanding they have been through and through. Virat Kohli has displayed the ideal way to play on a surface where the ball is staying low or holding on the surface. He has waited on the ball, and to be fair, has been offered a bit of generosity by the LSG bowlers who have been wayward. With just 87 runs needed in 84 balls, the Super Giants need to keep picking wickets or else this will be over a lot sooner than one expects. Digvesh Singh will bowl after the break.

A tidy start from Avesh, 5 off his first over and RCB are 60/1 at the end of the Powerplay. Pace off delivery, dug in short and just outside off, Padikkal looks to pull but is undone by the lack of pace.

Excellent running yet again. Fuller than a good length, on off and slides onto the bat. Kohli drives it to the cover fielder and scampers through for a run.

Back of a length, outside off, nudged down to the right of backward point for an easy single. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Good-length delivery, angled into the off pole from around the wicket. Padikkal tucks it down to mid-wicket. Kohli is eager for the single which isn't there and DDP rightly sends him back.

Shorter this time, over middle, Kohli swivels back to pull it away towards deep square leg for a single.

Another misfield and the batters pinch an extra run. Bowled back of a length and outside off, smacked down back past the bowler, but without much timing. Nicholas Pooran at mid off runs to his right and dives but fumbles the ball away and concedes the second run.

A double bowling change? Yes. Avesh Khan comes in to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.

Around off, on a good length, Kohli punches the googly to the right of the mid off fielder and sprints for a single. 10 runs from the over, 27 from the last 2 overs for RCB.

The wrong'un, at 96.1 kph, on the stumps. Virat Kohli gets squared up and tucks it to the mid on region.

Length ball, on off, Padikkal hangs back and drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drags the length back, another googly on middle. Virat Kohli bunts it down to long on for an easy single.

SIX! Goodness gracious, that is such a magnificent shot! Googly from Digvesh, on off, on a length. Virat Kohli picks the length and variation very early and camps back before pulling it into the deep mid-wicket region for a big six. 50 UP FOR RCB!

A drag-downer to start with, on leg. Devdutt pulls it on the bounce to square leg, where Prince Yadav fumbles a bit and allows a single.

Virat Kohli looks in sublime touch, and RCB have amassed 32 runs in the last 2 overs. Maybe it's time for a bowling change for LSG. Yes, it sure is, as Digvesh Singh has now been handed the ball.

FOUR! Not sure if he timed well, but still a calculated shot over the inner ring. Full now, outside off at 137.8 kph. Virat Kohli comes walking down the track and lofts it over the cover fielder and it races away to the fence for four more runs. Four number six for Kohli so far. 17 runs off the over.

WIDE! Down leg, straightish delivery, on a length. Kohli misses the flick shot.

FOUR! Helped away! Loosener from Prince. Short and at the ribs of the batter. Virat Kohli gets inside the line, uses the pace and pulls it to the left of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. Virat was onto it in a flash.

Slightly pitched up, on off, nips back in a bit. Kohli gets well forward and blocks it off.

FOUR! Right out of the coach's manual! Short of a good length, outside off. Virat Kohli uses the width, rises on the toes and knocks it with pure timing over the point fielder for another boundary. Kohli moves to 20 off 10.

Misses this time around. A slight appeal for caught behind, but only the keeper, Mukul Choudhary, is interested. Back of a length and it stops on the surface, on leg. Virat Kohli is tucked up for room but goes for the pull shot. It stays a tad low and beats the inside edge.

FOUR! Into the gap and in complete control! Way too short by Prince, on top of middle. Kohli takes a baby-step in front, and pulls it over mid-wicket for a cracking four.

Almost a yorker, on the toes, Kohli flicks it behind square on the leg side for a single. A very profitable over for the Royal Challengers. 15 runs from it.

Around the stump now. Hits the length hard, outside off, shaping away at 142.3 kph. Devdutt Padikkal camps back and cuts it to Linde at deep backward point for a run.

Attacks the stumps, on leg. Kohli tucks it to the square leg region for an easy single.

FOUR! All class! That's a Kohli special which gets the crowd go bonkers. Hard length and outside off. Virat Kohli shows patience for the ball to come at him, rides the bounce and slaps it over the wide cover fielder for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Kohli getting a move on! Much fuller than the previous ball, on off, Virat stays in the crease, brings his wrists in play and whips it across to the deep square leg region. George Linde rushes across to his left, slides to flick the ball back in, but his knee gets stuck in the outfield and the ball evades him into the fence.

FOUR LEG BYES! Goes very fine! Back of a length, on the pads. Kohli looks to tickle it behind but the ball goes off the thigh pad and squirrels away to the deep fine leg fence.

Nagging length, around off, at 137 kph. Devdutt Padikkal is a bit late to play the cut shot and chops it to the point region.

FOUR! Elegance personified! A little bit fuller, swinging in from middle to leg. Devdutt Padikkal flicks it off the pads to deep backward square leg for a boundary to get off the mark.

Just the start LSG would have wanted with the ball after the first innings. Devdutt Padikkal is in early at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Prince Yadav continues to impress this season and knocks Salt's off pole. Hits the deck hard, around off and it skids through the surface, nipping in a touch too. Salt is rushed on the back foot, trying to play the pull shot but misses it behind, and the off pole goes cartwheeling. RCB are 9/1, chasing a target of 147 runs.

BEAUTY! Angles in and then straightens from the hard length, over off. Phil Salt loosely wafts at it and is beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Back of a length, on leg. Salt mistimes the pull shot to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Length delivery outside off, this is guided with an open bat face to deep backward point for a single.

A bit of drama to end the first over of the chase. Harsha Bhogle on air has confirmed that Nicholas Pooran is the acting captain for LSG right now. Also, it will be Prince Yadav to bowl from the other end.

Oh, goodness me! This could have been terrible for RCB. An outgoing delivery, full and around off. Kohli presses forward and bunts it to the point region and is off for a single. He is more than halfway through but Salt is parked at the other end and sends him back on a late call. The fielder though, fumbles to collect the ball as it spins past him and eventually allows the batters to cross over.

Back of a length, around off, at 137.6 kph, swinging away. Salt presses back and knocks it to the left of cover. Pooran dives to cut it off. Good stop. Just a single.

BEATEN! Hard length, shaping away from outside off, with extra bit of bounce. Salt stays back, attempts to knife it behind point but the ball whistles over his angled bat.

FOUR! Off the mark with a cracking shot! Shami offers width this time and the ball is a lot straighter as well. Short outside off. Phil Salt has enough time in the world to get on the back foot. Nails the square cut to deep point for a boundary.

This time, it tails back into the batter, short on leg. Phil Salt is a bit squared up and tucks it to square leg.

Swing straightaway! Shapes away from the right-hander, full and outside off. Phil Salt does not move his feet much and tries to crash it past covers, but misses as the ball zips past his outside edge.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! A yorker and straight on the off stump. Avesh shuffles across, moving away to the off side to scoop it over short fine leg, but fails to connect. Misses to put the bat on the ball and sees his off stump go for a walk. Despite falling on his follow-through, Salam collects himself to celebrate his four-wicket haul. LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS ARE BOWLED OUT ON 146!

Misses the run out chance! Jitesh could have read a book and scored the bullseye here, but he misses. On a good length around off. Digvesh Singh shapes for a flick but misses, and the ball carries through to the keeper. They sneak a bye. Jitesh has a shy at the striker’s end with an underarm throw but misses. Rasikh, moving in to back up, fumbles the collection mid-pitch but it stays in his vicinity.

Full and slower, outside the off stump. Digvesh commits too early, loses his bottom hand and ends up toeing the ball straight back. Rasikh reacts sharply in his follow-through, diving to his left to cut it off and keep it to a dot.

Deceptive pace off delivery, outside off and full. Digvesh loosely hangs his bat away from the body, but the ball just does not rise and beats the bat, rolling back to the keeper.

Who's the last man in for LSG? Digvesh Singh or Prince Yadav? It will be Digvesh Singh.

OUT! BOWLED! Salam gets his third and wins the duel against Mukul Choudhary. Clever variation, shifting both pace and trajectory. He goes full and brings it back into the pads. Mukul walks forward and looks to manufacture a wristy flick, but misjudges it completely. Swings across the line, misses, and the ball slips through the pads to crash into the leg stump. Lucknow Super Giants are 145/9 down.

SIX! SMACKED! A very slow full ball, around off. Mukul Choudhary has to wait for months for the ball to arrive. Gets low on his knee, and slogs it comfortably over the long on fielder for a six.

Rasikh Salam is back in to bowl the final over of the innings. Can LSG get to 150?

A single to end the over and Mukul Choudhary will keep strike to begin the final over. Back of a length and outside off, slapped away through cover-point for a single.

No hat-trick! A slower length ball, outside off, Avesh Khan clears the front leg and drags it without any timing through mid on for a single.

Who walks out to face the hat-trick ball? It will be Avesh Khan.

OUT! FLATTENS THE STICKS! Two in two for Bhuvi and he is on a hat trick. A pinpoint yorker, aimed at the sticks, right at the base of the off and middle poles. Mohammad Shami clears the front leg to hit it across, but his bat comes down after the ball passes him and he hears the death rattle behind him. Shami comes and Shami goes.

Mohammad Shami walks out to bat now.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN​​! Tim David has made it look so easy. At 126.9 kph. Slower delivery, wide outside the off stump, on a back of a length. Linde throws his hands at it without any footwork. He slices it off the bottom edge over backward point. David, at deep third, runs over his left shoulder to his left and completes a magnificent running catch. Keeps his eyes on the ball and makes it look effortless. Lucknow Super Giants are 137/7 down now, losing their Impact Sub.

Yorker on the leg stump. Mukul inside the crease and whips across to deep square leg, and gets a single.

Falls just short! Full and on the leg stump line. George Linde clears the front leg and lofts it off the toe end, toward long on. Romario Shepherd runs to his right, and dives to catch, but the ball lands just short and hits his right knee instead. Two taken.

Hits the hard length, keeping the line of attack on the stumps and it skids through. George Linde is hurried on the pull shot, gets no connection and the ball deflects off the thigh pad to the backward point region for a leg bye. Excellent spell from Josh Hazlewood. He ends with figures of 4-0-20-1.

At 138.7 kph, full in length, on leg. Linde with a bottom-handed lofted shot down the ground. The fielder from long off gets across and stops it. Two taken.

FOUR! Gets the reward for innovation, does Linde! Short of a length, pitched outside leg. George Linde moves outside leg, switches his stance, uses the pace of the ball, and reverse ramps it over the keeper for a boundary.

On a length, at 135.7 kph, on top of middle. George stands tall and punches it straight to the cover fielder.

Full and straight, around off, Mukul Choudhary gets on the front foot and drives it to long off for a run.

A slower length ball, on middle and off. Mukul Choudhary pulls it along the ground through square leg and gets back for the second quickly before the throw is relayed back to the keeper. Salt with another good piece of fielding in the deep.

WIDE! Mukul shows his cards early by walking forward and Hazlewood spears one down leg. Choudhary leaves.

Aims the sticks, on a hard length, George Linde is cramped up for room and bunts it back to the bowler. Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to be as frugal as ever. 3-0-23-1 so far are his bowling figures.

Rishabh Pant's return is short-lived. Time to use the Impact Sub for LSG? Yes, indeed. George Linde comes out to bat, replacing Ayush Badoni in the line-up as well.

Ayush Badoni is substituted by George Linde

OUT! CAUGHT! Salt adds another phenomenal catch to his name and Pant's painful stay comes to an end. Full toss, dipping, around knee height, angling across from off stump. Pant bends low and goes hard across the line, whipping through aerially into the leg side. It flies off the bat but gets no distance, dipping quickly as Salt charges in and across to his left from deep mid-wicket. He flings himself forward, gets his hands in the perfect position and takes a terrific low catch inches off the ground. Lucknow Super Giants are 124/6.

Nails the yorker in, on middle. Mukul drills it to long on for a single.

WIDE! Over-the-head slower short ball, Mukul tries to power it away with the pull shot but misses.

Short in length, on the stumps. Mukul pulls it off the back foot between long on and deep mid-wicket. Devdutt Padikkal slides across and keeps it down to a couple of runs only.

DROPPED! Suyash is the guilty party. Wide yorker, outside off. Rishabh Pant crouches low, opens the bat face at the point of contact and slices it flat to the left of Suyash Sharma at short third. He dives, gets his hand on the ball, but eventually puts it down and parries the ball to deep third. Patidar from backward point chases the ball before the ropes and keeps it down to a single. A big lifeline for Pant.

Short and outside off, climbing on the batter. Mukul mistimes the pull shot, just over mid on for a single.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-0-17-0) is back on.

Slower dipping wide full toss, outside off. Pant reaches out for it, but misses to connect. Another top over from Rasikh Salam. 3-0-18-2 so far for him.

Again, a wicket in the over right after the break and it is the set batter that has to go as well. A brave call from LSG as Rishabh Pant is back on with a heavily strapped left bicep/elbow region.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! An important wicket for RCB given how Badoni was batting. Salam continues to take pace off from the ball and keeps banging in short, on off. Ayush Badoni climbs on the imaginary ladder, in an attempt to ramp it over the short third fielder, but he has to generate his own power to do so. But only manages a thick outside edge behind. Jitesh Sharma leaps to his right and takes a good catch. Badoni looks at the heavens in disappointment, but a fine knock in adversity from him. LSG are 118/5.

Slips in a full toss on leg. Mukul Choudhary whips it to deep backward square leg. Shepherd there stops it in the deep. Just a single.

Surprise bumper from Rasikh now, on the bodyline. Mukul Choudhary is taken aback by the slower one, and just manages to duck late.

Another slower ball, full and on off, Badoni creams it to deep cover for an easy single.

FOUR! That's a fine shot from Badoni. Slower ball, outside off, on a good length. Badoni has enough room to access and guides the ball between the short third and backward point fielders for a boundary. Moves to 37 off 22 balls, does Ayush.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The RCB spin duo is done with their respective spells, conceding 72 runs of their collective 8 overs. And on a track like Bengaluru, those are pretty decent figures. Yes, the pitch is on the slower side, but they didn't give much in this middle phase. Though a nice little partnership between Badoni and Mukul is brewing up here. Badoni, in particular, has played a very mature hand to keep LSG afloat, but they will need to have a move on now if they are post anywhere beyond 160 or 170. RCB have used five bowlers only so far and might as well stick to the pace trio to close out well. Rasikh Salam is back on after the break. 2-0-12-2 so far for him.

Short and wide, spinning away, tapped away through cover-point for another single. 10 off the over.

Flatter and just outside off, cut away late and firmly through backward point for a run

FOUR! Another googly, turning in from off and middle, Choudhary sits down to sweep and rolls his wrists nicely over the ball, hitting it right of deep square leg for a boundary.

A wrong'un now, shorter and on the pads, tucked away to deep square leg for one. The batters look for two but decide against it.

Badoni shuffles around in the crease to put off the bowler and Suyash ends up bowling it shorter on middle. Badoni manages to hit it wide of long on and scampers back for two runs.

A flatter leg break on middle and leg, Choudhary rocks back and hits it down to long on for a single.

Good length on off, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Mukul breaks free, but they will need plenty of those. Aimed at the sticks, on a fuller length. Mukul Choudhary clears the front leg to make room and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a six. 100 UP FOR LSG!

Holds on the surface a bit as this is bowled slower through the air. Full and on the stumps. Mukul presses forward and blocks it watchfully.

Oh, a run-out chance, but Mukul Choudhary manages to scamper back. Fired in very quick, on a length and on middle. Choudhary rocks back and half-pulls it to mid on and sets off for the single, is more than halfway through, but Badoni rightly sends him back.

Really experienced bowling from KP. Slowed up again, fuller and on middle and leg, Choudhary blocks it but gets more of an inside edge.

Nagging length on middle, rushes the batter off the pitch. Choudhary manages to block it down the track.

Flatter one on the pads, tucked down past square leg for a single. Just 5 runs off the over, another tidy one for RCB.

A flighted wrong'un, outside the line of off stump. This time Choudhary sees it coming and gets a big stride in to make the block.

Rishabh Pant is seen sitting in the LSG dugout, with his left arm all strapped up. He is in talks with the head coach, Justin Langer now. Looks like the skipper might come back to bat.

FOUR! Just a bit of bat on it, and the ball rolls away to the fence. Quick and full, on leg stump, Choudhary looks to sweep it fine but gets an inside edge and the ball brushes the pad to roll past the keeper and into the fine leg fence.

Bowled flatter again, a tad fuller and on middle, Choudhary stays back and gets rushed but manages to jam it out.

A flatter leg-break now, on middle and leg, Choudhary rocks back to defend but gets a big inside edge onto the pads.

Half an appeal for LBW, turned down. Probably doing too much. Another googly from Suyash Sharma, around middle and on a good length as well. Choudhary fails to read it, plays all around it and gets hit on the pads.

Floated up, on middle and leg, on a nagging length as well. Badoni watchfully keeps it out on the off side.

Smart batting from Badoni. Good length on middle, worked away from inside the crease, in between long on and deep mid-wicket and for a couple of runs as well.

Fuller one, darted in, Mukul eases it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Delicately played. Full and on middle, Mukul Choudhary lunges across to get inside the line and plays the paddle sweep down to fine leg for a boundary.

It is going downhill for the Super Giants now. Possibly the last batting pair in the middle for the visitors if Pant isn't fit enough to bat on. Here's Mukul Choudhary in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Just like Pooran, Abdul Samad's meek run continues as well. Crafty bowling from Krunal Pandya and according to Pommie Mbangwa on air, it's Krunal's 100th IPL wicket. Pandya slows it up again and drifts the ball full, down leg. Samad looks to just clip it away but the ball sticks in the pitch, takes the leading edge and lobs to short extra cover. The RCB skipper Rajat Patidar takes the dolly and LSG are now 4 down for 83.

Slower through the air, short and on off, Badoni waits back and punches it to deep cover for a single.

Dragged length, on off, Badoni stays back and punches it down with a straight bat through mid on for a run. 11 off the over, a positive one for LSG.

Tossed up, fuller and on off, pushed down to mid off.

FOUR! That's nicely played. A fraction too short again, just outside off, Badoni leans back and cuts it late, sliding the ball off the face of the bat and to the right of backward point for another boundary.

Gets away with it, does Suyash. A half-tracker, wide of the off stump, Badoni goes after it but ends up cutting it straight to the cover-point fielder.

Good length, on the pads, tucked away neatly to the left of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! You need to stay positive and that's what Ayush Badoni is trying to do. Shortish length, wide outside off, Badoni cuts it uppishly but in the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Slower delivery on the stumps, Abdul Samad pushes it to the mid-wicket region. At halfway mark, LSG are 71/3.

How many times do we see a wicket fall right after the break? Far too often, and this one is a huge one as well. Abdul Samad is the next batter in.

OUT! PLAYED ON! Massive, massive wicket for the Royal Challengers. Krunal outshines Marsh with his bag of tricks. It is a round arm delivery, fired on a lower trajectory from around the stump. It lands on a length and skids through the surface, hurrying Marsh into the shot. Mitchell tries to force it to the off side, but chops it back onto the stumps behind. RCB are joyous and Lucknow Super Giants go further down in the hole and are 71/3.

Not that full, on middle and leg, tipped off the front foot to the square leg region for a single.

SIX! That is some shot from Badoni. A bouncer by Krunal, but a bit wayward, down leg. Ayush Badoni uses the pace of the ball, gets inside the line and hooks it up and over the deep fine leg region for a 63 meter six.

At 92 kph, pushed into the batter in front of the stumps, full in length. Badoni takes a big stride and smothers the spin.

Wide full toss, outside off. Marsh slaps it to deep point for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A lot to think about for LSG as they look to conjure up a fightback. Two wickets down, the scoring rate is just 7 an over and Rishabh Pant might be out of the contest, which makes them 3 down right now. Mitchell Marsh has mustered up some runs but needs to stick around for longer and Ayush Badoni has the ability to turn the game on its head as well. On the other hand, RCB will hope that they get a couple of more breakthroughs soon after the break and gain complete control of the first innings. Also, if Pant is unable to get back in the mix, it might force LSG's hand in terms of the Impact Sub as well. For now, let's get back to the action.

Slightly on a length and Marsh dinks it into the leg side, in front of square for a single. Just 8 runs from this over. RCB on top right now.

Slides down leg, Badoni steers it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Dragged length, around off. Marsh mistimes the heave to long on for a single.

So much happening out there! An appeal for LBW, a chance of a run out, but Marsh somehow survives. The umpire shakes his head on the appeal, but after a bit of pondering, RCB have taken the review. Pushed full and on the line of the stumps. Marsh gets down on a knee to play the sweep shot, but misses and is hit on the back thigh pad. The ball then lobs into the cover-point region and they, for a moment, think to pinch a leg bye, but there is a big miscommunication between the batters and Marsh is forced to retreat back as Badoni denies. The point fielder is quick to get on the ball and throws it but misses his shy. Jitesh dives to collect the ball to his left, but it stays out of his reach as well, but is backed up behind. Now then, UltraEdge shows a flat line. Ball Tracking shows that the ball is clipping or brushing the leg pole on the umpire's call. So the on-field call is upheld and Marsh can have a breather.

FOUR! Off the inside edge! Marsh doesn't read the googly off Suyash's wrists or even off the surface. Goes to drive the length ball into the off side, but it spins back in and takes the inside edge before rushing to the deep fine leg fence. Totally outfoxed there, the big Bison.

Flat and on the stumps, nudged across to the square leg region for a run.

Spin from both ends now. Suyash Sharma comes on to bowl.

SIX! Sails over! Tossed up at the stumps, full in length. Marsh creates room by backing away and pumps it downtown for a cracking six. Marsh gets going. 15 runs from the over.

Slows it up, full and on leg, sliding in. Marsh tries to hit it straight, but only manages an inside edge to short fine leg.

WIDE! Pushed wide outside off, and beyond the tramline. Marsh leaves.

FOUR! Into the gap! Dropped full and on middle. Marsh gets down early and sweeps it to the right of deep square leg. The ball just lands on the bounce and goes into the fence.

WIDE! And there's the Krunal Pandya bouncer. Short, quick and over the head. Marsh, before he could blink, the ball flew over his head. A good leaping grab by Jitesh Sharma behind. Called a wide though.

Slides one on the leg stump, on a dragged length. Badoni gets back and across and tucks it to deep square leg for one more.

Flights it fractionally fuller, at 95.4 kph, on middle. Marsh plays with a straight bat and drives it to long off for a single.

Slowish delivery, on leg, Badoni nudges it gently off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Time for a bowling change as Krunal Pandya comes into the attack

Swing and a miss! Around off and on a hard length, again, staying underground but this time, Hazlewood did take pace off. Mitchell Marsh is outfoxed by the lack of lift and pace and gets beaten again.

Ouch! Another body blow, but Marsh instantly raises his thumb, citing he is okay. Not much bounce on this one, actually. Hits the hard length, but it stays low and angles into the batter. Mitchell Marsh is rushed on the pull shot, but the ball beats the inside edge and hits Marsh around the abdomen area.

Fires it onto the pads again, full in length. Marsh gets on the back foot and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

A little bit fuller and at the pads. Badoni misses the flick and the ball deflects behind to deep fine leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! Shot of the night so far! Back of a length, outside off. Ayush Badoni stands tall, lets the ball arrive and deliberately dabs the ball to the right of deep third for a boundary. Good use of pace and bounce from Badoni to open his account.

Another day, another low score for Nicholas Pooran and LSG are in a spot of bother now, especially if Rishabh Pant is unable to bat again. With that said, Ayush Badoni walks out to bat. Wow, there's a short leg in place now. RCB really trying to intimidate the new batter.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Living on a length, they say and Hazlewood doesn't break a sweat. Hoff slams the deck hard at 140.6 kph, and angles the ball across the batter. Nicholas Pooran shapes up to play the pull shot, across the line, but ends up getting a massive inside edge and the ball crashes into the stumps behind. Wicket number 2 for Hazlewood. Nicholas Pooran is absolutely livid with himself as he departs. Lucknow Super Giants are 35/2, virtually three down now.

Wow, a rare win in the Powerplay for the bowling side at the Chinnaswamy. Usually, it's raining sixes in the first 6 overs in Bengaluru, but the RCB pacers have done brilliantly so far and Josh Hazlewood will continue, bowling his third over now.

Way too full and around off, Pooran shovels it to the left of the cover fielder for only a single. Lucknow Super Giants end their Powerplay at 35/1. Pommie Mbangwa on air informs that this is LSG's lowest Powerplay score this year.

The slower one now, full and around off. Pooran carves it straight to Padikkal at cover.

Decent short ball, aiming at the body of the southpaw. It keeps coming in and Nicholas Pooran safely ducks under it.

From around the stump. A low full toss, on off. Pooran tries to push it straight, but gets a thick inside edge toward mid-wicket.

Full and straight, on middle, gently driven toward long off for a single.

Slower delivery, at 104.9 kph, on a length and tight on the stumps. Marsh punches it to the cover-point fielder.

Change? Not yet. Rasikh Salam (1-0-10-1) to continue.

Immaculate length again and just a run off that over, that too inside the Powerplay. Good length, around the top of off, rises a bit sharply and Nicholas Pooran gets hi hands out of the way as he lets the ball pass through to the keeper.

Josh immediately goes fuller to Pooran, bowling it around leg and Nicky P opts to just block it off.

LSG physio, Patrick Farhart, and one of the reserve players have made their way out to the middle. It looks like Rishabh Pant needs some medical help after taking a couple of body blows. The magic spray is being applied to his left elbow now. Pant's pain is quite visible as it is sprayed. It looks like the ball has struck him on the weak spot of the bone. He is not looking comfortable at all out there. Not good signs for LSG, as Pant is walking off the field. Hazlewood shows some concern with a pat on his shoulder as Pant makes a slow walk back. Nicholas Pooran is the next batter in for the Super Giants.

Ouch! Rishabh Pant is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Rishabh Pant is retired hurt.

Hazlewood is landing it on a coin right now. Another back-of-a-length delivery, on off stump, Pant looks to pull but the ball skids through and catches the bottom underedge of the bat and goes into the ground. Actually, the ball might have hit Pant's left elbow, or underneath it.

Ouch! That must have hurt. Slightly shorter, in and around off stump, Pant is a bit indecisive and tries to lean across the off side and pull it fine but ends up getting hit on the body.

Oh, that's carried through nicely. Back of a length, over middle, angling a bit across the left-hander. Rishabh Pant stays put and has a swipe across the line but the ball zips past the blade.

Back of a length on middle, angling in. Marsh looks to pull but the ball isn't short enough and he gets rushed, resulting in an inside edge towards backward square leg. Marsh does get a single.

That's a frustrating way to get dismissed. It looked like Markram was just getting settled in but RCB get an early breakthrough they were after. In comes the LSG skipper, Rishabh Pant, at number 3. Also, Josh Hazlewood (1-0-5-0) is back into the attack, replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, that's something we don't see often. Rasikh Salam breaks the opening stand and RCB have their first wicket. Rasikh looks to go full and at the toes but ends up serving a low full toss on the pads. Aiden Markram looks to flick it over the leg side but closes the bat face early and skews the ball off the leading edge onto the other side. The ball lobs towards extra cover, where Devdutt Padikkal takes a simple catch and Markram is unhappy with the way he's got out here.

Slower ball, at 108 kph, full and straight as well. Marsh checks the drive and just eases it to the right of mid on for one more.

Good length on the pads, pushed away between mid on and mid-wicket for a single.

Live visuals show that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in the dugout right now, and the physio is applying the ice pack on his left wrist. He got stung while stopping the ball off his own bowling, in over 2.4.

SIX! Oh, that's a scrumptious shot from Markram. Length ball on middle, comes at a gentle pace as well. Aiden Markram lifts the back leg and hits through the line, lifting the ball high and over long on for a biggie.

Hard length around off, tapped away in front of covers for a quick single.

Good length, slightly into the pitch and on off, sticks in the pitch as well. Markram leans forward to drive but has to adjust and just pats it back past the bowler for a run.

RCB introduce Rasikh Salam into the attack, replacing Josh Hazlewood.

SIX! DISPATCHED ON THE ROOF! A knuckle-ball, shorter and on middle. This one sits up nicely for the batter and Mitchell Marsh has all the time in the world to rock back and clobber it over the square leg fence for a 102-meter behemoth of a six. New ball, please!

On a good length, shaping back into off stump, blocked off by Marsh.

Gets a good hand on it, does Bhuvneshwar Kumar and probably saves three runs as well. Hard length around off, Markram gets onto the front foot, lifts the back leg and punches it down the pitch. Bhuvi sticks down a left hand in the follow-through and deflects the ball just behind and the batters get another single.

A bit of shape back into the right-hander this time. Back of a length, on off and middle, Marsh presses back and works it past square leg for one.

Fuller this time, angled in towards middle stump, Marsh pushes it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, just outside off, Marsh comes forward to negate the bounce and blocks it to covers.

Excellent over from Hazlewood as well. Right on target. The new ball is moving and there is a good bit of bounce on offer, not much. A pretty watchful start by the LSG openers. Bhuvi to continue.

Terrific start for the Hoff, just five singles off his first over. That in-between length, in the channel, Marsh gets a bit squared up and edges it down towards short third, where the fielder is well inside the circle, almost at a deep slip. The ball lands in front and the fielder fumbles, allowing the batters to scamper through for a run.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Markram stands tall and classily plays it on the up, and through point for a single.

Fuller this time, angled in towards the pads, Marsh gets his hands out in front and flicks it towards square leg for another quick single. Tidy start so far from Josh Hazlewood.

Sharp bounce on offer yet again for Josh. Pitched on a hard length around off, cuts back in a bit, sharply too. Markram dabs it down towards point and picks up a run.

Shortish length, straighter in line, tucked away through square leg for a single.

Play and a miss. Hazlewood uses his height and hits the deck around off, gets the ball to seam away with some extra bounce. Marsh looks to rock back and punch it through covers but is well beaten.

Swing for the bowler, runs for the batters. A pretty decent start for both teams. And here comes Josh Hazlewood to steam in from the opposite end.

Short of a good length, wide outside off, smacked away to deep backward point for one more to close out the first over. 9 runs off it.

Good length, in and around off stump, punched on the up and square through the cover region for a single again as Markram also gets off the mark.

Back of a length on middle, nudged down in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Nicely driven. Fuller in length, Bhuvi looks for some more swing, Marsh gets forward and caresses it wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

EDGED AND FOUR! A slice of some early luck for Mitch here and LSG are underway. Good length again, outside off, Mitchell Marsh has a slash at it but gets a thick outside edge that flies to the right of the diving first slip fielder and into the deep third fence.

Just a hint of movement away from the right-hander. Bowled on a good length and in the channel, Mitchell Marsh looks to drive on the up but gets an inside edge back onto the deck.

We are all set to get going at the Chinnaswamy. The camera straightaway pans to Virat Kohli in the RCB dressing room. He hasn't taken the field and will come out to bat as an impact sub for RCB. The two umpires now walk out. Rajat Patidar leads his men out to the middle as the Royal Challengers scatter throughout the park. Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh make their way to the crease to open for Lucknow Super Giants. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the new ball and is raring to go. LSG are yet to score 200 this year. Can they do that this time around? Let's see. The Bison vs Bhuvi first up, then. A slip in position and off we go...

'The Bison' is also up for a chat - Mitchell Marsh says that conditions-based, yes, 200 has become the norm, and the question now is, has the team batting first got enough on the board? On the general Powerplay score being around 65-70 runs this season, he chuckles that it is more like 90 these days, and mentions that it is a new element in the game, seeing the fearless youngsters go hard at the bowlers, and they will look to do the same as well. On batting alongside Aiden Markram, Mitch says that they are close friends and loves to open the batting alongside him.

A quick chat with Phil Salt - On the license for RCB batters to go hard from ball one, Salt says that is simply the way T20 cricket is moving right now, and the IPL is very much at the forefront of that shift. Says everyone in the side carries that license to take the game on. On becoming a more 360 player, Salt says plans naturally evolve as opponents build more data on you over time. He stresses that the foundation of his game is built on solid defensive technique above everything else. He tries to hit the ball where it deserves to be hit, sets himself up as well as he can, and reacts accordingly.Finally, on taking some impressive catches on the boundary, Salt heaps praise on the fielding coach, calling him simply unbelievable. He describes the catching sessions as high intensity. Says if he isn't bowling and isn't keeping wickets, he wants to contribute to the team in every way he possibly can.

The LSG skipper - Rishabh Pant says that eventually you have to play better cricket, whether you bat first or bowl first. Adds that they don't want to introspect after every match and want the individuals to put their hands up and win the game for the team. Mentions that they will try to soak up the pressure and get the job done. Ends by informing that they are going with an unchanged team.

The captain of RCB - Rajat Patidar calls it a good surface and says they want to take advantage of it by putting the opposition under pressure. About the conditions, he says there's not much change, though he highlights that there was a lot of grass as compared to this one. On the positives so far, he says everything is going better for the team and different guys have stepped up and are performing well as well. Informs that Josh Hazlewood comes in for Jacob Duffy.

Impact Sub options for RCB - Virat Kohli, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Kanishk Chouhan, and Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam (In for Virat Kohli), and Josh Hazlewood (In for Jacob Duffy).

Impact Sub options for LSG - Mayank Yadav, George Linde, Manimaran Siddharth, Matthew Breetzke, and Himmat Singh.

Lucknow Super Giants (Unchanged XI) - Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh, and Prince Yadav.

TOSS - All in readiness for the toss. Rajat Patidar and Rishabh Pant are out in the middle and give each other a hug before the toss takes place. Pant calls incorrectly and a massive roar goes around the Chinnaswamy. RCB opt to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Pommie Mbangwa and Faf du Plessis are inspecting the conditions in Bengaluru. Pommie first points out the dimensions, saying that the square boundaries are 61 meters and 68 meters, and adds that there's a shepherding going on about which side you want to be hit as a captain. Further tells that the straight hit is 74 meters, but it is small. Highlights that 55 sixes have already been struck at this venue. Plessis calls it an unbelievable wicket to bat as an opener. Also feels that sometimes the new ball might get a bit of swing and bounce here as well. Plessis further notes that the surface is a touch drier than it usually is. Highlights that normally there is a little bit of green grass but this time around, it looks a touch barer and feels that there won't be much bounce and seam movement. Also details that spin generally doesn't play a huge role at Chinnaswamy in terms of wickets taken, but points out that the likes of Krunal Pandya, who are good with their lengths, have been very effective, especially when they target the stumps. Still, he calls it a very good pitch and expects a good score, in the range of 220.

High-scoring thriller on the cards? As mentioned earlier, RCB have scored in excess of 200 runs in all four matches they have played this season, but LSG are yet to concede a score of 200 or more and they have won both their matches while bowling first and lost both matches when they have batted first. Can the Super Giants get that highly-tauted batting line-up firing on all cylinders? Or will RCB continue on their merry way? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

LSG hungry for a comeback - Despite a topsy-turvy start to their 2026 campaign, LSG boasts one of the most disciplined bowling attacks in the tournament, spearheaded by the veteran Mohammed Shami. They face the ultimate test tonight: can the league’s most economical bowling unit silence the league’s most aggressive batting lineup? Also, the Super Giants may have an ace up their sleeve in the form of Mayank Yadav, who, on this very ground, announced himself at this grand stage and might be match-fit as LSG look to halt RCB's streak of 4 wins in a row at the Chinnaswamy.

RCB look for another big score - Currently sitting in the top three of the table, they have turned the Chinnaswamy into a fortress, consistently breaching the 200-run mark in every game so far this season. With Rajat Patidar leading the charge and the legendary Virat Kohli in the mix alongside the explosive duo of Phil Salt and Tim David, the Bengaluru batting powerhouse looks nearly unstoppable on this batting paradise. Also, the change to get Jacob Duffy back in over recently recovered Josh Hazlewood seems to be working for RCB, but their bowling does need a bit more control and for that Krunal Pandya will be key with his change in pace and lengths as well.

The tussle continues - Welcome to the high-octane atmosphere of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru! Hosts and reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to go up against Lucknow Super Giants. The home side come into this clash on the back of a resounding victory against rivals Mumbai Indians, whereas the Super Giants look to get back to winning ways after a huge loss against Gujarat Titans in their last fixture.

... MATCH DAY ...

Homecoming of the champions - After a couple of games on the road, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back at their den for three home games in a row. First up, they take on the Lucknow Super Giants in match number 23. RCB will be looking to make the most of this home leg, while LSG will aim to bounce back from their recent loss. Momentum with the hosts - RCB won just 2 of their 5 home games last season, but this time around, they have won both their matches in Bengaluru so far. They are halfway through a stretch of 4 games in 9 days, and a dominant win over MI should set them up well for the remainder of that run. Batting firing on all cylinders - Their batting prowess has been on display, breaching 200 in their last 3 games while batting first and chasing down 202 on the opening night. With all of their top five scoring over 120 runs, the batting looks in excellent shape. Mixed returns with the ball - Their bowling has come under fire at times, but the cushion provided by the batters has helped. Jacob Duffy has picked up 6 wickets in 3 innings, though he has been a bit expensive, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has done a decent job of keeping things in check. Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya have also played important roles through the middle phase. The one loose end - The 5th bowling option remains a concern, with Romario Shepherd going at 14.57 so far. Rasikh Salam did make an impression despite suffering from cramps against MI and could be the answer to that role. With just a day's break between RCB's last two games, one feels Josh Hazlewood was rested as they look to ease him back in gradually. His return will be a big boost, especially considering he picked up the most wickets (8) at the Chinnaswamy last season at a strike rate of 10.3. LSG in search of consistency - Coming to the Lucknow Super Giants, their campaign has been a bit of a mixed bag so far. They started with a defeat, bounced back with 2 consecutive wins, but are now coming off another loss. They now travel to Bengaluru, where they are yet to lose in the IPL, having won both their games here. Concerns with the bat - There has been promise with the ball, but the batters have let them down. In what is a top-heavy setup, Aiden Markram has got starts in the last 3 games but has not converted them into substantial scores, while his opening partner, Mitchell Marsh, has struggled to make an impact. There was a knock of note from Rishabh Pant in the win against SRH, but little apart from that. More than anyone, the form of Nicholas Pooran will be a concern. It has been 13 innings since his last fifty in this format. Promise with the ball - On the bowling front, there is more reason for optimism. With Mohammad Shami's arrival and Prince Yadav continuing to grow as a bowler since last season, they have formed a promising new-ball pairing. Their ability to make early inroads will be crucial, especially against a strong RCB top order. Waiting for the support cast - The inclusion of George Linde has added a new dimension to their attack. While he did not make an impact with the ball against GT, he contributed with the bat, which augurs well for LSG. However, the likes of Avesh Khan and Digvesh Singh, who starred last season, are yet to hit their stride and will need to step up. Team form (Last 5 completed games, recent first) - RCB - WLWWW | LSG - LWWLL. Test for the bowlers - 200 has been breached in all 4 innings so far, with runs flowing at 11.42 per over and 55 sixes in just 2 games. A stiff challenge awaits the bowlers, and it will come down to who executes better with the ball. Who are you backing to come out on top?