In a thrilling match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chased down a massive 228-run target to defeat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets, securing their spot in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, where they will face Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh on May 30.

After RCB chose to bowl first, LSG scored an impressive 227/3. Mitchell Marsh featured with a scorching 67 off 37 balls, studded with 4 fours and 5 sixes, while skipper Rishabh Pant played a captain’s knock, finishing unbeaten on 118 off 61 balls with 11 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 193.44. Before being removed, Nicholas Pooran scored 13 runs in short succession. Despite the onslaught, RCB bowlers stayed firm, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking an important wicket.

Virat Kohli’s textbook performance of 54 off 30 balls, with a blistering strike rate of 180.00, spearheaded the RCB’s chase. Mayank Agarwal and Jitesh Sharma then completed the task with an outstanding partnership. Mayank’s 41* from 23 and Jitesh’s stunning 85* off 33 (8 fours, 6 sixes) clinched the victory with eight balls remaining. LSG’s Akash Singh and William O’Rourke made breakthroughs, but they were unable to stop the RCB juggernaut.

With this win, RCB advances directly to Qualifier 1. The match saw pyrotechnics from both sides, but RCB’s batting depth, particularly skipper Jitesh Sharma’s late-order assault, was the difference.

RCB’s bold chase of 230 exemplifies their daring style of cricket this season. Despite Pant’s brave tonne, LSG will be disappointed with their wasted opportunities and failure to control RCB’s batting lineup.

Here are the milestones achieved during LSG vs RCB, Match 70 of IPL 2025:

• Virat Kohli : Completed 9,000 runs for RCB.

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Chased their highest total in IPL – 228

• Rishabh Pant: Scored his second century in IPL.