Rishabh Pant smashes a stunning century as LSG defeats RCB in IPL 2025 Match 70. Full scorecard, highlights, drama & playoff impact in one place!
Date: May 27, 2025
Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Teams: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Tournament: Indian Premier League 2025 – Match 70
The final league match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 saw a nail-biting clash between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). It was a match that had everything – pressure, drama, milestones, and records. Both teams were looking to secure their place in the playoffs, and the crowd at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was treated to a true spectacle.
Lucknow Super Giants, captained by Rishabh Pant, produced one of their best performances of the season. RCB, on the other hand, led by their new skipper Jitesh Sharma in this match, were caught off guard right from the toss, where a clerical error created confusion over team composition. This was just the beginning of what would be an eventful evening.
Toss Drama – A Strange Beginning
RCB won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to chase a total on a good batting surface. But controversy struck when Jitesh Sharma submitted the wrong team sheet during the toss. The procedural blunder led to confusion in the dugout, with certain players expecting to play but not being listed officially.
Despite this, the match proceeded as scheduled, but the psychological impact of this error perhaps rattled the visitors, who seemed out of rhythm for most of the first innings.
First Innings: LSG Posts Mammoth 227/3
Batting first, Lucknow Super Giants got off to a flying start. Their top-order clicked in unison, but it was Rishabh Pant who stole the show. In what was announced as his final league game of the IPL 2025, Pant delivered a masterclass that fans will remember for years to come.
Rishabh Pant’s Century – A Captain’s Knock
Pant walked in with intent and took charge immediately. He targeted RCB’s premier bowlers – Siraj, Ferguson, and Hazlewood – and dispatched anything short or full with brutal precision. Pant reached his century in just 52 balls, laced with 9 fours and 6 towering sixes.
This was Pant’s first century in three years, and the timing couldn’t have been better. He batted with calm aggression, guiding the innings from one end and rotating the strike brilliantly.
Contributions from Others
While Pant was the anchor, his teammates didn’t sit back. KL Rahul contributed a quick 42 off 27 balls, and Pooran’s 34* off just 14 at the death pushed LSG well past the 200-run mark. The acceleration in the last five overs brought 70 runs – an onslaught that left RCB gasping.
Bowling Woes for RCB
RCB’s bowlers looked clueless. Hazlewood, returning from injury, lacked rhythm and was smashed for 52 in his 4 overs. Siraj had an off day, and their spinners failed to make any impact on a flat deck. The team also dropped two crucial catches – one of Pant when he was on 78 – that cost them dearly.
Innings Break Scorecard Summary: LSG – 227/3 (20 Overs)
- Rishabh Pant – 103 (52)
- KL Rahul – 42 (27)
- Nicholas Pooran – 34* (14)
- Josh Hazlewood – 4-0-52-1
- Ferguson – 4-0-48-1
Second Innings: RCB’s Chase – Strong Start, But…
Needing 228 to win, RCB had to go hard from ball one. And their openers – Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis – did just that. In the powerplay, RCB raced to 65/0 in 6 overs. Kohli looked vintage with his cover drives and du Plessis played a few innovative shots to keep the pressure on.
Mid-Innings Collapse
However, once the powerplay ended, LSG introduced spin, and things began to unravel for RCB. Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya choked the run flow, leading to risky shots. Faf du Plessis holed out to long-on for 33 and Kohli followed soon after for 45, falling to Bishnoi’s googly.
Jitesh Sharma, who had already erred at the toss, tried to redeem himself but managed only a scratchy 18 before being dismissed. The middle-order collapse meant RCB needed 95 from the last 6 overs with just four wickets in hand.
Dinesh Karthik’s Late Effort
Veteran finisher Dinesh Karthik played a cameo of 32 off 14 balls but lacked support. LSG’s death bowling, especially by Mark Wood and Avesh Khan, was spot on. Yorkers, slower balls, and wide lines made boundaries hard to come by.
Match Result: Lucknow Super Giants won by 25 runs
RCB ended their innings at 202/8, falling 25 runs short. The result ensured that LSG moved to third place in the points table and confirmed their playoff berth.
Final Scorecard Summary
Lucknow Super Giants: 227/3 (20 Overs)
Rishabh Pant – 103 (52), KL Rahul – 42 (27), Pooran – 34* (14)
Hazlewood – 1/52, Ferguson – 1/48
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 202/8 (20 Overs)
Virat Kohli – 45 (29), Faf du Plessis – 33 (22), Dinesh Karthik – 32 (14)
Bishnoi – 2/29, Avesh Khan – 2/33
Key Takeaways
- Rishabh Pant’s Century: A timely reminder of his value in the shortest format. His leadership and innings earned him the Player of the Match award.
- Toss Confusion: A rare off-field mistake that set the wrong tone for RCB’s outing.
- Playoff Qualification: LSG’s win propelled them into the top 4. RCB’s fate depended on the outcome of other teams.
- Pant’s Farewell: Speculation is rife that this may have been Pant’s final IPL season. If true, he signed off in style.
What’s Next?
With the playoffs set to begin in a few days, LSG will enter the eliminator with momentum on their side. RCB fans, on the other hand, will be praying for favorable results to see their team through.
Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive interviews, and tactical breakdowns from the IPL 2025 playoffs.
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