The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 reaches its crescendo as (RCB vs LSG) Royal Challengers Bengaluru lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants in Match 70 at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium on May 27, 2025. With RCB eyeing a top-two finish and LSG playing for pride, this high-stakes encounter promises fireworks. Here’s a comprehensive preview of the match, including team dynamics, pitch insights, and key player battles.
Match Overview: What’s at Stake?
RCB’s Mission: A win here will propel RCB to 19 points, securing a Qualifier 1 berth and a direct shot at the IPL final. Currently third on the table, RCB’s campaign hinges on Virat Kohli’s explosive form (548 runs in 12 innings) and Josh Hazlewood’s return, bolstering their pace attack .
LSG’s Final Stand: Already eliminated, LSG will aim to disrupt RCB’s plans. Despite inconsistency, their recent 33-run victory over Gujarat Titans showcased Mitchell Marsh’s brilliance (117 runs) and Will O’Rourke’s lethal bowling (4 wickets in 2 games) .
Key Highlights
- Hazlewood’s Return: RCB’s ace pacer Josh Hazlewood rejoins the squad after shoulder rehab, replacing Lungi Ngidi. His economy of 7.22 and 18 wickets this season make him critical for powerplay and death overs .
- LSG’s Momentum: Nicholas Pooran’s resurgence (40 sixes, strike rate 198.83) and Rishabh Pant’s unpredictable form add depth to LSG’s lineup .
- RCB’s Recent Struggles: A 42-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad exposed middle-order vulnerabilities, especially with Tim David injured .
Pitch Report: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
The mixed-soil pitch (red and black) offers balanced conditions:
- Batting-Friendly: Average first-innings score of 188 in IPL 2025, with five wins for chasing teams .
- Dew Factor: Moisture in the second innings aids batting, making toss crucial. Spinners like Krunal Pandya (15 wickets) could exploit grip .
- Boundary Dimensions: Large square boundaries (60m and 67m) challenge power hitters .
Head-to-Head and Form Guide
- Overall: RCB lead 3-2 in five encounters .
- Recent Form:
- RCB: LWWWW (Last five matches) – Momentum halted by SRH loss .
- LSG: WLLLL – Inconsistent but dangerous in dead rubbers .
Predicted Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Mayank Agarwal
- Rajat Patidar (Impact Player)
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Romario Shepherd
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
- Suyash Sharma
Key Reserves: Tim Seifert, Blessing Muzarabani .
Lucknow Super Giants:
- Mitchell Marsh
- Aiden Markram
- Nicholas Pooran
- Rishabh Pant (c & wk)
- Ayush Badoni
- Abdul Samad
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Akash Deep
- Avesh Khan
- Digvesh Rathi
- Will O’Rourke
Impact Sub: David Miller .
Player Battles to Watch
- Virat Kohli vs Avesh Khan: Kohli (548 runs, strike rate 170.73) has been dismissed twice by Avesh in six IPL meetings .
- Nicholas Pooran vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Pooran’s strike rate of 144 against Bhuvi, who has dismissed him twice .
- Josh Hazlewood vs Mitchell Marsh: Hazlewood’s precision vs Marsh’s powerplay aggression (strike rate 156.42) .
Weather and Match Details
- Date & Time: May 27, 7:30 PM IST.
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
- Weather: Clear skies, temperatures 31–34°C, no rain forecast .
Where to Watch
- TV: Star Sports Network.
- Streaming: JioHotstar .
Conclusion
For RCB, this match is a golden opportunity to secure a top-two finish for the first time since 2016. LSG, however, will aim to end their campaign on a high, leveraging Mitchell Marsh’s form and home conditions. With Hazlewood’s return and Kohli’s consistency, RCB holds the edge, but LSG’s unpredictability could spring a surprise.
For live updates and detailed stats, visit ESPNcricinfo or CricTracker .
Q1. When and where is the RCB vs LSG IPL 2025 match?
A: The match will be played on May 27, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
Q2. How can I watch the RCB vs LSG match live?
A: The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network (TV) and streamed live on JioHotstar.
Q3. What is at stake for RCB in this match?
A: A win will secure RCB 19 points, guaranteeing them a Qualifier 1 berth and a direct entry into the IPL 2025 final.
Q4. Why is Josh Hazlewood’s return significant for RCB?
A: Hazlewood, with 18 wickets and an economy of 7.22 this season, strengthens RCB’s pace attack, especially in powerplay and death overs.
Q5. What is LSG’s motivation for this match?
A: Though eliminated, LSG will aim to disrupt RCB’s campaign and end their season on a high note, leveraging Mitchell Marsh’s form and home advantage.
Q6. What are the pitch conditions at Ekana Stadium?
A: The mixed-soil pitch favors batters, with an average first-innings score of 188 in IPL 2025. Spinners may exploit grip, while dew in the second innings aids chasing teams.
Q7. Who are the key players to watch?
A:
Virat Kohli (RCB): 548 runs at a strike rate of 170.73.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG): 40 sixes and a strike rate of 198.83.
Josh Hazlewood (RCB): Critical for powerplay breakthroughs.