The IPL never fails to deliver drama, and Match No. 70 between Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on May 27, 2025, was no exception. With playoff spots on the line, the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow turned into a cauldron of excitement. Fans were treated to fireworks from both sides, nail-biting moments, and some unforgettable individual brilliance.
In the end, RCB chased down a mammoth 228 with six wickets in hand, keeping their playoff dreams alive while breaking LSG hearts on their home turf. Let’s break down this thriller into key moments and highlights that made it one of the best matches of IPL 2025.
Match Overview
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Fixture: LSG vs RCB, Match 70, IPL 2025
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Date: 27 May 2025
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Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
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Toss: RCB won, opted to field
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Result: RCB won by 6 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)
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Player of the Match: Jitesh Sharma (RCB)
1. LSG’s Explosive Start – Marsh and Pant Light Up Lucknow
Lucknow came out firing after being asked to bat first. Mitchell Marsh looked in sublime touch, smashing 67 off 37 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes. His aggressive intent set the tone for the innings.
But the real fireworks came from Rishabh Pant, who reminded everyone why he’s one of the most feared batters in T20 cricket. Pant played a captain’s knock, hammering 118 not out off just 61 balls, including 11 fours and 8 sixes. His fearless strokeplay and clever placement pushed LSG to a daunting 227/3 in 20 overs.
Other contributions:
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Matthew Breetzke added a quick 14.
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Nicholas Pooran chipped in with 13.
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Abdul Samad finished unbeaten with Pant.
LSG’s batting looked nearly flawless, giving them a score that looked match-winning at the halfway stage.
2. RCB’s Bowlers Struggle Under Pressure
For RCB, defending such a high total was always going to be tricky, but their bowlers had a rough day.
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Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the lot, with 1/26 in 4 overs at a respectable economy of 6.5.
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Others leaked runs: Romario Shepherd (1/51), Yash Dayal (0/44), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/46).
The bowling attack had no answers for Pant’s brilliance and Marsh’s power-hitting.
3. RCB’s Chase – Kohli and Salt Give a Blazing Start
Chasing 228 is no easy task, but RCB came out with fearless intent.
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Phil Salt smacked 30 off 19 with 6 crisp boundaries.
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Virat Kohli once again rose to the occasion, scoring a classy 54 off 30 balls with 10 fours. His timing was impeccable, and he ensured RCB kept up with the asking rate.
With the openers setting a strong base, RCB never let the required rate spiral out of control.
4. Jitesh Sharma’s Match-Winning Blitz
If Kohli provided stability, Jitesh Sharma completely turned the match on its head. Leading from the front as captain, he played one of the best knocks of IPL 2025.
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85 not out off 33 balls
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8 fours and 6 sixes
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Strike rate: a jaw-dropping 257.57
Jitesh’s fearless hitting dismantled LSG’s bowlers, especially in the death overs. He was rightly awarded the Player of the Match for this incredible innings.
5. LSG Bowlers Fail to Defend a Big Total
Defending 227 is never easy, but LSG’s bowlers were simply outclassed by RCB’s batting.
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Akash Singh (1/40) and Avesh Khan (1/32) were the only wicket-takers apart from O’Rourke.
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Will O’Rourke was expensive but managed 2 key wickets, including Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone.
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Others like Shahbaz Ahmed and Digvesh Rathi went wicketless while leaking runs.
Pant’s masterclass with the bat wasn’t enough, as the bowlers couldn’t hold their nerves under pressure.
6. Impact Player Substitutions
Both teams used the Impact Player rule strategically:
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LSG: Akash Singh came in, replacing Mitchell Marsh.
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RCB: Rajat Patidar came in for Suyash Sharma.
However, the tactical swaps didn’t change the outcome much, as batting firepower dominated the evening.
Also Read : Mohammed Shami Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
7. What This Result Means for Playoffs
This win was massive for RCB. By chasing down a big total with overs to spare, they not only collected crucial two points but also boosted their Net Run Rate (NRR)—a factor that could prove decisive in playoff qualification.
For LSG, it was a heartbreaking loss at home. Despite posting a huge total, they slipped in the death overs with both bat and ball. Their playoff chances now hang by a thread, depending on other results.
Scorecard Snapshot
Lucknow Super Giants – 227/3 (20 overs)
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Rishabh Pant (c): 118* (61)
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Mitchell Marsh: 67 (37)
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Best Bowler (RCB): Nuwan Thushara (1/26)
Royal Challengers Bangalore – 230/4 (18.4 overs)
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Jitesh Sharma (c): 85* (33)
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Virat Kohli: 54 (30)
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Best Bowler (LSG): Will O’Rourke (2/74)
Result: RCB won by 6 wickets.
Final Thoughts: A Classic IPL Clash
This LSG vs RCB game had everything—huge sixes, a captain’s masterclass from Pant, a heroic chase led by Kohli and Jitesh Sharma, and edge-of-the-seat action till the end.
For fans, it was a reminder of why the IPL is the world’s most entertaining cricket league. For RCB, it was a statement win that keeps their playoff dreams alive. For LSG, it’s back to the drawing board.
One thing’s for sure: if every match is this entertaining, IPL 2025 will go down as one of the most thrilling seasons ever!
