Rain disrupted play at Lucknow early on and kept doing so, turning the contest into a long, frustrating watch. By the time the match finally reached its finish, it was close to half past midnight. Here’s Cricbuzz Pulse, a quick two-minute rundown to get you back in the flow of the IPL storylines.
Last night in five lines
The downpour refused to clear and forced the game into a shorter format, with the chase set at 19 overs per side after interruptions. Mitchell Marsh took charge in the LSG innings with a destructive display—nine fours and nine sixes—finishing unbeaten on 111 off 56. In the process, LSG posted 209, with the DLS method later adjusting it to 213. RCB’s reply saw Rajat Patidar launch a relentless counter-attack, scoring 61 off 31, but it was not enough to cross the line. Early setbacks involving Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd gave the chase a scare, yet RCB couldn’t get the required momentum to win.
Oh, that happened
Virat Kohli’s dismissal became the defining talking point of the chase. The sequence started with an inswinging delivery, Kohli played through the line, and the ball came off the off-stump area into a flat dismissal. As Prince Yadav leapt to complete the chance, Kohli was left stunned and walked back after being removed for a two-ball duck—exactly the kind of outcome that feels unreal in a run chase. It’s a rare dismissal as well: the last time Kohli went for a two-ball duck in IPL cricket was back in 2017, when RCB were dismissed for 49. For Prince, though, the night didn’t end there.
Prince Yadav then played another crucial role by breaking a 95-run partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar. He followed that up by taking the wicket of Jitesh Sharma, ensuring LSG kept their grip on the innings at key moments. Even in an otherwise forgettable campaign for LSG, Prince’s versatility has continued to stand out.
Pulse Awards
easier-seen-than-done award: Arshin Kulkarni for managing only 17 off 24 while watching Marsh’s hitting at the other end.
missing GOATs award: Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood for not quite showing up when it mattered.
born-to-fly award: Rishabh Pant’s bat, for repeatedly taking risks and trying to clear the field time after time.
that’s-enough-cardio award: The Lucknow groundstaff, who kept sprinting on and off with the covers to stay ahead of the weather.
overrated-warmups award: Mayank Yadav for unleashing a 150kph strike on his very first ball. His average speed in that opening over was 144.23kph.
Talking Point
The BCCI has rolled out strict protocols covering player movement and behaviour. The board described the seven-page guidelines as a way to protect the integrity and reputation of the IPL. Among the measures are limits on unauthorised visitors, restrictions that prevent players from leaving their hotels without prior approval, and a firm warning around vapes and other prohibited substances. Owners have also been instructed to follow the Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) Protocols and to avoid interacting or communicating with players during a match. To ensure there is no room for shortcuts, the BCCI has also warned of surprise checks to verify adherence to the rules.
The Chatter
Mitchell Marsh said it felt good to “get on the right side of the game and get a win” and added that the result was “really good” for the team’s morale. Prince Yadav, meanwhile, turned Virat Kohli’s own advice into a weapon. After the last game, Prince revealed, he had spoken to Virat bhaiya, who told him to stick to a length as long as the ball was moving around off it. That is precisely what Prince executed, leading to Kohli’s two-ball duck.
Rishabh Pant is already looking ahead, saying the team is keen to “figure out” their best batting order and “take it for the next season.” Rajat Patidar’s assessment was blunt as well: he said his side were playing “two shots behind” LSG.
Stat Snack
Bhuvneshwar Kumar reached a major milestone, becoming only the 12th player in IPL history and the first pacer to play 200 matches. It was a reminder of how long he has sustained his role at the top level.
Gossip Column
“This is like being back in school,” said an unnamed but very real source linked to the tournament, clearly unhappy with the BCCI’s latest guidelines. At least one activist, the chatter goes, will have less to complain about now.
Today’s watchlist
Two teams fighting to stay afloat, DC and KKR, meet in Delhi. The contrast lies in momentum: KKR arrive after three consecutive wins, while DC are enduring a four-match losing run at home.
Reckless prediction for today
Axar Patel will find his rhythm again and become the first player in IPL history to score a century and take five wickets in the same match.
