Ekana Heats Up as RCB and LSG Fight for IPL 2025 Supremacy
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| Credit _Cric tracker |
Lucknow, May 27, 2025 – The IPL 2025 league stage wraps up tonight with a blockbuster showdown at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). RCB are fighting for a top-two finish to secure a direct path to Qualifier 1, while LSG aim to bow out of their campaign with a statement win.
What’s at Stake?
RCB, captained by Jitesh Sharma in absence of Rajat Patidar’s, need a victory to reach 19 points and potentially overtake Gujarat Titans for a top-two slot alongside Punjab Kings. A loss could push them into the Eliminator, making their road to the final tougher. LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, are out of playoff contention but come off a strong win against Gujarat and will look to play spoilers with their explosive batting.
Team Updates
RCB regain Josh Hazlewood, whose pace will bolster their attack, but they’ll miss Tim David’s firepower due to injury. Virat Kohli, nearing 9,000 runs for RCB, remains their anchor with 548 runs this season. LSG are likely to stick with their winning XI, with Mitchell Marsh’s recent century and Nicholas Pooran’s six-hitting prowess posing major threats. Pant, despite a quieter season, could turn the game with his aggressive style.
Pitch and Conditions
Ekana’s pitch has been unpredictable, averaging 151 in T20s but capable of producing high scores. A red-soil track might favor batsmen, while black soil could help spinners like RCB’s Krunal Pandya or LSG’s Digvesh Rathi. Clear skies are forecast, with dew likely aiding the team batting second.
Head-to-Head
RCB lead LSG 3-2 in their five IPL meetings, setting the stage for a fierce contest in their first 2025 encounter.
Key Players to Watch
Virat Kohli (RCB): With a 60.88 average, he’s the backbone of RCB’s batting and will face LSG’s pacers Avesh Khan and William O’Rourke.
Mitchell Marsh (LSG): Fresh off a century, Marsh’s powerplay aggression will test RCB’s bowlers, especially
Jos Hazlewood.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG): His 25 sixes against spin this season make him a danger, but RCB’s spinners could counter.
Predicted Line-ups
RCB: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (Impact Player), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Blessing Muzarabani, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood.
LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Aryan Juyal, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur/Akash Singh, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Rathi, William O’Rourke.
Where to Watch
The match starts at 7:30 PM IST, live on Star Sports and streaming on JioHotstar.
What to Expect
RCB’s depth and Kohli’s form give them an edge, but LSG’s fearless approach and home support make them dangerous. Dew could play a role, favoring the chasing side. Expect a tight battle, with RCB likely to clinch it if their top order delivers.
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