Three wins from three at the Chinnaswamy and straight to the top of the table. Royal Challengers Bengaluru dismantled Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets in IPL 2026 Match 23, and the post-match reactions told the full story of a team firing on all cylinders.
RCB vs LSG Match 23: Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | 146 all out | 20 | Lost by 5 wickets |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 149/5 | 15.1 | Won |
LSG were bundled out for 146 after being asked to bat first. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 40 off 32 balls, while Ayush Badoni (38 off 24) and Mukul Choudhary (39 off 28) offered brief resistance. But regular wickets meant LSG never built a partnership that truly threatened.
RCB’s bowling attack was relentless. Rasikh Salam Dar ripped through the top order with a brilliant four-wicket haul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up three, and Krunal Pandya along with Josh Hazlewood chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. It was a collective demolition job.
In reply, RCB made it look routine. Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a fluent 49 off 34 balls, Rajat Patidar smashed a quick-fire 27, and Jitesh Sharma’s blistering 23 off just 9 deliveries sealed the deal. RCB reached the target in 15.1 overs with five wickets in hand.
Josh Hazlewood’s Impressive Return
The Australian quick made his presence felt immediately on his return to the playing XI. Hazlewood’s control with the new ball was outstanding, hitting hard lengths consistently and putting LSG’s top order under sustained pressure from ball one.
More than just the wicket column, it was his discipline that set the tone for the entire bowling unit. On a surface offering minimal assistance, he showcased the class and experience that makes him one of the most valuable overseas seamers in the IPL.
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Virat Kohli: The Impact Player Makes an Impact
Coming in as the designated impact player, Kohli played a composed yet authoritative knock of 49. He fell one short of a half-century, but his contribution ensured the chase never wobbled. RCB were always in control while he was at the crease.
Kohli’s innings laid the foundation, and the middle order did the rest. Tim David and Romario Shepherd guided RCB home in style, finishing the job without any late-innings drama. It was clinical from start to finish.
RCB Climb to the Top of the IPL 2026 Points Table
This convincing victory pushed RCB to the summit of the IPL 2026 standings. Three consecutive home wins have made the Chinnaswamy a fortress, and the balance of this squad looks formidable. Pace, spin, batting depth — Rajat Patidar’s side has it all clicking right now.
For LSG, it’s a different story entirely. Their batting has been a concern all season, and Nicholas Pooran‘s men are running out of time to find answers.
Rajat Patidar on RCB’s Bowling Dominance
The RCB captain was visibly pleased with his bowling unit’s performance. Patidar praised the new-ball pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, calling them the kind of specialist bowlers who make a captain’s life easier.
“I think the good thing was we won the toss. And the way the fast bowlers hit the deck was nice to watch,” Patidar said. He singled out Krunal Pandya as a “very courageous bowler” and highlighted Suyesh’s stump-to-stump accuracy as “tremendous to watch.”
On the fielding, Patidar noted the team has been working on intensity since the start of the tournament. He specifically mentioned Phil Salt’s one-handed flying catch as a standout moment. When asked about title hopes, the skipper kept things grounded: “No, it’s a long way to go. Right now, we are just looking one game at a time.”
Nicholas Pooran Admits LSG Have Been Below Par
Standing in as LSG captain, Nicholas Pooran didn’t mince words about his team’s batting struggles. He acknowledged that 175 would have been competitive on this surface but admitted they fell well short.
“It’s no secret we have been struggling with the bat the entire season and today we paid the price,” Pooran said. Despite the frustration, he remained defiant about his own form. “I’m feeling really good and striking the ball nicely. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been going my way this time in the tournament.”
Pooran drew on past experience to stay positive. “I’ve been in this position already, I know how to fight. And I believe I’ll get out of this.” LSG will need that fighting spirit quickly if they’re to turn their IPL 2026 campaign around.
Josh Hazlewood on His Long Road Back
The Player of the Match spoke candidly about his recovery journey. Hazlewood revealed that the previous game against Rajasthan Royals helped him shake off the rust, and he felt significantly better in this outing against LSG.
“It was quite a slow wicket today and it was a little bit up and down, so I just had to whack away that length and get the result,” Hazlewood explained. He credited the entire bowling group, saying all the bowlers “bowled unbelievable” on the night.
In a moment of self-deprecating humour, the Australian admitted he’d love to have a few funky deliveries in his arsenal. “As a Test bowler, it’s quite hard to bowl good slower balls. Always working on them,” he said with a grin. On his availability going forward, Hazlewood was optimistic: “The plan is to hopefully keep playing. Our schedule is pretty good from here on in, so fingers crossed.”
He also had high praise for young Rasikh Salam Dar, who missed the first few games but has been “training the house down” since his return. “He’s got some nice skills. Bowls the hard overs as well. It’s a big tournament for Rasikh,” Hazlewood added.
Key Talking Points from RCB vs LSG
Rasikh Salam Dar’s four-wicket haul was the standout bowling performance of the night. The young Indian quick has now staked a serious claim for a permanent spot in RCB’s XI. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death makes him an invaluable asset for Patidar’s plans.
Virat Kohli’s role as impact player is working beautifully for RCB. Coming in fresh and with a specific role, he’s been able to play with freedom and intent. His 49 off 34 was a masterclass in controlled aggression during a chase.
LSG’s batting woes are becoming a pattern, not a one-off. Being bowled out for 146 on a Chinnaswamy surface that usually favours batters is a serious concern. Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and the middle order need to find consistency fast, or LSG’s IPL 2026 campaign could slip away before the halfway stage.
What This Result Means Going Forward
RCB sitting at the top of the IPL 2026 points table feels like a statement of intent. With Hazlewood back, Rasikh firing, Kohli in sublime touch, and the home record intact, this looks like a squad built for a deep run. The Chinnaswamy has become a fortress, and opponents know it.
For LSG, the conversation has to shift from potential to execution. The talent is there — Pooran, Marsh, Badoni — but the performances haven’t matched the personnel. Something needs to change, and it needs to change quickly.
I’d keep a close eye on RCB’s next fixture. If they carry this momentum away from home, we’re looking at genuine title contenders. And if you’re building your fantasy teams or tracking the points table race, RCB’s bowling depth is the X-factor that separates them from the pack right now. Don’t sleep on this side.
This article is based on publicly available match data, post-match press conferences, and official IPL broadcast content. Quotes are sourced from post-match presentations and team media interactions.