IPL 2023: Bowlers dominate as RCB beat LSG by 18 runs

Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants in a low scoring Indian Premier League match, wherein the home team restricted the former to 126 for nine and ended up scoring 18 runs short of the target.

Lucknow:: Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs in their Indian Premier League match here on Monday. LSG restricted Royal Challengers Bangalore to 126 for nine. In reply, the hosts were tottering at 27 for four and then 65 for six in the 11th over. Eventually, LSG were all out for 108 in 19.5 overs.

Rahul injured-LSG stand-in captain Krunal Pandya said regular skipper KL Rahul pulled his hip flexor muscle but the extent of his injury is yet to be ascertained. LSG lost the toss and was asked to bowl first. The Super Giants suffered a huge blow early in the game as Rahul pulled his right thigh muscle while chasing a ball towards the extra cover boundary, and then limped off the ground.

With LSG needing 24 runs off eight balls, an injured Rahul came out to bat at number 11 but failed to open his account in the three deliveries he faced. "It is a sad thing. He (Rahul) pulled his hip flexor, I guess. I do not know how bad it is. The medical team will assess it," the stand-in captain said at the post-match presentation.

Pandya also acknowledged the efforts of the bowling unit which restricted a batting-heavy RCB to 126 for nine. "We did pretty well in the first half restricting them. It was a great team effort. Really happy with how we have bowled this tournament. 126, at the start of the game, we would have taken. But we just could not execute our plans," Pandya said.

Faf's 44- RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, who was adjudged the player of the match for his 40-ball 44, credited his fifty-run stand with Virat Kohli on a difficult surface as key to their victory. "To have a fifty partnership in the first six overs was a match-winning partnership in the end. Batting first was important," Faf said.

"They had four spinners but it looked like right through, playing spin was hard work. It is a little bit easier for a captain, at the Chinnaswamy, it feels like the ball is going everywhere. I would have liked 135. In my mind, that was a really good score and we were going towards that score."

"Once again, if you come in on this pitch, it is really tough to score. Said to the boys that if we get two or three early wickets, it would be hard for them, he said. Faf praised the efforts of his bowling unit, especially Karn Sharma (2/20) and comeback man Josh Hazlewood (2/15)."

"I am super happy for Karn. One of those guys who does the hard work all the time but does not get the recognition. Playing at Chinnaswamy is tough for a leg-spinner. Unbelievable from him tonight. We have missed Hazlewood's experience. Someone like him brings so much calmness and composure. Nice way to ease him into the competition," Faf said.