RCB vs LSG

11:15 PM local time and IST: That will be that from the action tonight. Tomorrow we move to Mumbai for an all-important clash with MI hosting PBKS. Make sure you join us then, for now this is Sourabh Agrawal signing off on behalf of Pradeep and everyone else in the team. Cheers!

Josh Hazlewood is the Player of the Match for his figures with the ball, 1/20: Felt much better today, it has been a long road the last few months, got the rust off in the last game against RR. You have got to look at the conditions, who you are playing against, the guys at the other end and today it was a slow pitch and just had to whack that length. It was an all round performance tonight, all the bowlers were unbelievable

I would like to have a few funky deliveries but with a rhythmical action I have it can be hard sometimes as a Test bowler, always working on them moving ahead. Me and Bhuvi try to some up the conditions pretty early through communications and conversations, that is a huge strength for us

(on Rasikh Salam Dar) He missed the first couple of games but he has been training the house down. He has got some nice skills, we have seen that in the last couple of games. It is a big season for him

(will he keep playing alternate games?) The plan is to keep playing. The schedule for us from here on is pretty good, so fingers crossed hopefully I can

Time for a chat with the RCB skipper Rajat Patidar: (planning in the bowling) It was fantastic. The good thing was that we won the toss, the way the fast bowlers hit the deck was great to watch

Even I don't know what he (Krunal Pandya) is going to bowl next. He is a courageous bowler, even Suyash as well, nice to watch

(on Bhuvi) Helps as a captain to have specialist T20 bowlers, the experience and the ideas he brings in certainly helps me a lot

(on their fielding) Since the start of the season, RCB has been working a lot on the field. Salt started it off with a one-hander and tonight's catch was much simpler 

It is a long way to go, we are not thinking of that now (winning the cup again)

Virat Kohli is the Orange Cap Holder now! Here's what he has to say: "(On his performance and physical condition) It felt much better than the last game. I’m still not at 100%—my knee was sore previously, and I haven’t been feeling great health-wise over the past few days. But I was happy with the way I started and the intensity I showed. Having said that, I would have liked to carry on and finish the game.(On adapting to the pitch conditions) It wasn’t the typical Chinnaswamy surface. It was slower and drier, with very little grass due to the heat in the last few days. The plan was to take advantage early, especially in the powerplay, and push the game ahead before it got tougher to score. I was pleased with the approach in that phase.(On Rajat Patidar and the batting unit) Rajat has been exceptional. He has great clarity and plays with freedom, putting bowlers under pressure straightaway. As a unit, we’ve built a strong batting lineup that allows everyone to play their roles effectively. With the depth we have, including power hitters down the order, it gives us the confidence to play aggressively upfront.(On the team’s batting strategy) It always depends on the conditions and the match situation. Not every game will be a high-scoring one, so it’s important to assess and adapt. As the tournament progresses, pressure will increase, and teams that can read situations well and adjust accordingly will have the edge.(On his mindset moving forward) I’m constantly looking to improve and raise my game. The last couple of matches haven’t been my best, but overall, I’m focused on adapting and contributing to the team’s success."

Nicholas Pooran [Stand-in Lucknow Super Giants captain]: "(On the team’s batting performance) First of all, credit to the opposition—they put us under real pressure. I felt we were below par on that surface. A total around 175 would have been competitive, but it’s no secret that we’ve been struggling with the bat this season, and today we paid the price.(On the team’s struggles and outlook) T20 cricket is a tough format, and consistency isn’t easy. The guys have been working hard and trying to find solutions, and I believe it’s only a matter of time before things turn around. We just need to stay patient, take our opportunities, and take responsibility when those moments come.(On his personal form) Personally, I feel good. I’m striking the ball well, but things haven’t gone my way so far in the tournament. I’ve been in this situation before, and I know how to come through it. I’m confident I’ll turn it around soon."

10:47 PM local time and IST: MATCH SUMMARY

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (149/5 in 15.1 overs) beat Lucknow Super Giants (146 all-out in 20 overs) by 5 wickets

Virat Kohli 49(34) | Rasikh Dar Salam 4/24(4)
Mitchell Marsh 40(32) | Prince Yadav 3/32(3)

DONE AND DUSTED WITH EASE! RCB showing just why they are the defending champions as they brush aside a dull-looking LSG to make it 4 wins out of 5 games and move to the top of the points table leapfrogging PBKS and RR

As many as 29 balls to spare in the end, the already strong net-run rate takes another leap and it is up to +1.5 now which is the best out of all the teams in the comp. Celebrations in the stands, handshakes on the ground, in the end the target of 147 proved to be a walk in the park for the best batting side in the comp and they will take even more confidence from this win. RCB have got the better of LSG for the first time at Chinnaswany in 3 games making in 5 in 5 at their home venue for the defending champs

The game was pretty much done in the first innings itself when a complete team effort from RCB with the ball skittled out LSG for a paltry score of 146 and from there on it was only going to be a matter of time. In the chase, RCB lost Salt early but Kohli was there, playing as an impact sub for the first time ever, put on a show in the powerplay

Once RCB got to 60/1 in the powerplay, the intentions were clear that they were going for the kill to finish it off early. Kohli missed out on a fifty, was dismissed for 49, going for a big shot but once again Rajat Patidar played a 200+ strike rate cameo, Jitesh got a 9-ball 23 that will boost his confidence and in the end two big units in David and Shepherd finished the job with 14 unbeaten off 8 each

For LSG, Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 2/23 in his 4 overs getting the wickets of Kohli and Padikkal. Prince Yadav extended his tally with 3 more tonight but they did not have near enough runs on the board and it reflected in the way they fielded. LSG will just hang on to number 7 courtesy a slightly better run rate than CSK at 8 but they have a lot of thinking to do now, the big talking point will be Pant's injury on his left elbow and it remains to be seen how serious it is. He did not take the field in the second innings, Pooran led in his absence and apart from that as well LSG have problems aplenty with the bat for sure, they are the only team to have not breached the 200-run mark so far in the season

15.1 George Linde to Romario Shepherd, FOUR! THAT WILL BE THAT! Another comprehensive win for RCB, their title defense going good here. Short, just outside the off-stump, Shepherd cuts it hard, through backward point and races away to the ropes. 

14.5 Avesh Khan to Romario Shepherd, SIX! BAM! Shepherd gets into the act now. Slower one from Avesh, Shepherd reads it, waits for it and powered it way over long-on for a maximum. Just three needed now!

14.2 Avesh Khan to Romario Shepherd, OH DEAR! Another mix-up, again the fielder couldn't grab the ball neatly. Back of a length in the channel, Shepherd tapped it to point and took off. Samad runs in, and let's it through.