Royal Challengers Bengaluru spinner Krunal Pandya and Lucknow Super Giants batter Nicholas Pooran sparked a heated exchange during an IPL 2026 match in Lucknow on Thursday. The incident unfolded when Krunal surprised Pooran with a bouncer outside the off-stump channel, and the left-hander sent it back down the ground. The ball just missed Virat Kohli, who was charging in from long-on, and after Pooran completed a single, Krunal came in close to the batter at the other end and traded words with him—adding spice to the “Revenge Week” contest.
Key takeaways
- Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran exchanged words after a bouncer outside off stump led to a hard-hit reply.
- Mitchell Marsh struck a century to drive Lucknow Super Giants to 209 for 3 in a rain-affected chase reduced to 19 overs.
- Marsh’s 111 off 56 included nine fours and eight sixes, with most boundaries coming in the powerplay.
- Three separate rain interruptions delayed proceedings by nearly an hour before the innings was curtailed.
- Rishabh Pant finished unbeaten on 32 off 10 after the top order laid the foundation.
Revenge Week drama: Pooran vs Krunal
The contest’s tone turned physical in a hurry when Krunal, bowling for RCB, opted for a bouncer from the off-stump line. Pooran responded with a powerful hit that sent the ball skimming just short of Virat Kohli’s reach from long-on. Once Pooran had taken the single and play moved on, Krunal stepped back into the batter’s space and the two players traded words, turning a single over into a moment of confrontation.
LSG’s 209/3 with Marsh’s big statement
On the field, Lucknow Super Giants set a massive target, posting 209 for 3 in their 19-overs-a-side clash after rain repeatedly disrupted the rhythm. The match saw three rain interruptions, with the total delay approaching an hour, and the game was eventually reduced to 19 overs per team.
Mitchell Marsh delivered the defining performance, smashing 111 off 56 balls. His innings was built on aggressive striking from the outset, featuring nine fours and eight sixes, with the majority of his scoring coming during the powerplay. Marsh first combined with Arshin Kulkarni—Kulkarni made 17—to produce a 95-run opening stand that gave LSG a platform for acceleration. He then added a further 70 runs with Nicholas Pooran (who contributed 38), keeping the pressure on RCB.
After the early momentum, the Australian opener continued to pile on the runs whenever he got the chance. Josh Hazlewood was hit particularly hard at the start: Marsh launched two towering sixes over Hazlewood’s head, then followed with three boundaries in Hazlewood’s next over. As Marsh’s dominance grew, RCB introduced Rasikh Dar as early as the fifth over, but the change did not slow the scoring.
Marsh kept finding the boundary with ruthless consistency, striking back-to-back sixes and adding another four in between. He also reached his quickest IPL half-century in just 20 balls, and by the time LSG’s power-hitting rampage was in full flight, they raced to 95 without loss in nine overs.
Rain pauses, then Pant finishes the job
Just as LSG looked set to keep marching relentlessly, a 30-minute rain interruption briefly halted their momentum. When play resumed, Krunal Pandya made an impact by ending Arshin Kulkarni’s stay at the crease.
Pooran then continued the acceleration, striking Rasikh for back-to-back boundaries. Marsh, meanwhile, brought up his century with consecutive fours and then launched a thunderous six over cover point—only for rain to stop play for the third time shortly after.
Marsh was dropped by Devdutt Padikkal on 110, but the reprieve did not lead to a longer stay. He eventually fell to Hazlewood at deep point. With Marsh gone, Rishabh Pant stepped forward and finished in style, smashing four fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 32 off 10 deliveries to provide the final flourish as LSG closed on 209 for 3.
