Bengaluru, April 15 (NationPress) Star player Virat Kohli delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 49 runs as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully chased a target of 147 runs in just 15.1 overs, losing five wickets to Lucknow Super Giants during the 23rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

This victory propels RCB to the top of the points table, amassing 8 points from five matches.

In pursuit of a modest target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru started cautiously, scoring a mere six runs in the first over. Phil Salt, who narrowly avoided a run-out on the last ball of the opening over, attempted to up the ante but was bowled by Prince Yadav shortly after for just 7 runs off 8 balls.

Virat Kohli then shifted into high gear, hitting three consecutive boundaries against Mohammed Shami, who had bowled a disciplined opening over. Kohli kept the momentum going, striking four more boundaries in the subsequent over off Prince Yadav, putting the opposition under pressure. His aggressive batting led RCB to a solid score of 60/1 by the end of the powerplay, with Kohli contributing 40 runs off just 20 balls.

With Rishabh Pant sidelined due to an elbow injury sustained in the first innings, Nicholas Pooran captained Lucknow Super Giants. Despite some fielding errors, LSG managed to claim a wicket in the eighth over when Avesh Khan dismissed Devdutt Padikkal for 10 runs.

Kohli continued to lead the innings, effectively rotating the strike while Rajat Patidar took on the role of aggressor. However, Kohli narrowly missed a half-century, getting caught at long-on for 49 runs off 34 balls in the 13th over, an innings that included six fours and one six.

After Kohli's departure, Patidar and Jitesh Sharma ramped up the scoring. Jitesh hit two sixes and two fours in a single over, while Patidar added a brisk 27 runs off 13 balls before both fell rapidly to Prince Yadav.

Ultimately, Tim David and Romario Shepherd remained not out at 14 runs each, steering RCB to victory with 29 balls to spare. Avesh Khan contributed significantly to LSG’s efforts by taking two key wickets.

Prince Yadav emerged as LSG's standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3-32, while Avesh Khan also claimed two crucial wickets.

Earlier, batting first, LSG faced challenges as openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram struggled against a tight spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, reaching 14/0 after two overs. Marsh briefly swung the momentum with a towering six, but Markram fell for 12 runs after misjudging a slower delivery from Rasikh.

LSG's innings took a hit when captain Rishabh Pant injured his elbow and had to retire hurt after facing just three deliveries. Nicholas Pooran failed to capitalize, falling cheaply to Hazlewood.

Marsh then formed a quick 36-run partnership with Ayush Badoni before being bowled by Krunal Pandya for 40 runs. Krunal struck again, dismissing Abdul Samad for a duck, further hampering LSG's innings.

Badoni (38) and Mukul Choudhary (39) attempted to stabilize the innings, but regular wickets hindered LSG’s progress. Pant returned later but could only add one run to the total.

Rasikh efficiently wrapped up the innings, claiming four wickets, while Bhuvneshwar took three and Hazlewood maintained excellent control. Their combined efforts ensured RCB limited LSG to a modest score.

Brief Scores: Lucknow Super Giants 146/10 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 40, Mukul Choudhary 39; Rasikh Dar 4-24, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-27) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 149/5 in 15.1 overs (Virat Kohli 49, Rajat Patidar 27; Prince Yadav 3-32, Avesh Khan 2-23) by five wickets.