Published: May 8, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) held their nerve and defeated defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by nine runs in the TATA IPL 2026. The architects of the victory were the LSG bowlers who began in rousing fashion against a strong RCB batting line-up.
“Lucknow Super Giants started their bowling innings in incredible fashion. Shami has been a master of picking up wickets in the first over this season, and he did it again against RCB. In the very next over, young Prince Yadav produced a gem of a delivery to dismiss the chase master Virat Kohli. This dismissal against LSG is Kohli’s first in a 200-plus chase in nearly a decade. Full credit to Prince Yadav for his accuracy and big-game temperament,” said Aditya Tare on Star Sports’ Amul Cricket Live.
https://x.com/IPL/status/2052629798577729792?s=20
“Then came a moment where Rishabh Pant’s captaincy was tested. By the end of the 12th over, he still hadn’t used his fifth bowler. That was a risky situation. He turned to Shahbaz Ahmed to fill that role and that move paid off as Shahbaz picked up two wickets. Pant has been feeling the heat as the captain of LSG this season but against RCB, he rotated his bowlers smartly and got the best out of everyone,” Tare said.
Lucknow pacer Prince redeems himself
On how Prince Yadav redeemed himself after an early misfield, Tare said: “Prince Yadav had a shaky start to the game. He misfielded and gave away a boundary in the first over of the run-chase. After a mistake like that, every fielder looks for a chance to make up for it. That chance came in the same over. Prince ran to his left at deep point, judged the ball perfectly, and took a tough catch to dismiss Jacob Bethell. We have seen many dropped catches this season. But under pressure, Prince held his nerve.”
LSG’s Prince Yadav celebrates the wicket of RCB legend Virat Kohli. Pics: BCCI
On Pant’s decision to hand Digvesh Rathi the final over, Tare said: “In a high-pressure final over, the captain’s decision can make or break the game and Pant handing the ball to Digvesh Rathi for the final over was a risky move. Rathi had gone for 41 runs in his first three overs and was clearly struggling for confidence. But Pant backed him, trusting that Rathi’s googly could make the difference.
“And that’s exactly what happened. Rathi bowled three googlies in a row on the first three balls, all at around 90 kmph. He stuck to his strength, and it paid off. Full credit to Pant as well. You could see the pressure on Rathi’s face, but he didn’t panic. Bowlers practice for these moments. They train to stay calm under pressure. What stood out was that Rathi didn’t try anything fancy. He backed his googly and his belief.”
In a high-pressure final over, the captain’s decision can make or break the game and Pant handing the ball to Digvesh Rathi for the final over was a risky move, says Aditya Tare
RCB needs to back Suyash
On the need for RCB to back Suyash Sharma, he said: “RCB have always struggled to find a reliable sixth bowler. I believe they need to back Suyash Sharma more. He must bowl his full four-over quota. Yes, his line and length have drifted and his form has dipped. But if RCB want to defend their IPL title, they must trust Suyash. He should be given his full four overs. Backing him is a better option than giving Shepherd two overs. Shepherd has not done well with the ball this year. So, Suyash Sharma needs more support if RCB are to lift the trophy for the second time.”
On what Delhi Capitals need to do differently against KKR, Tare said: “Delhi Capitals have had a disappointing season so far. They will need to avoid repeating the same mistakes in their upcoming games. Against KKR, a slow, turning pitch may not suit them, because Kolkata’s strength is their spin attack. It all depends on the nature of the surface. If it’s a typical Arun Jaitley Stadium wicket, a good batting track with some help for new ball bowlers, then Delhi will have the edge. But if the pitch grips and turns, KKR will be right in the game.”
