Pant's smart bowling rotation seals LSG's nine-run win over RCB at Ekana
Synopsis
Rishabh Pant's captaincy was tested and delivered. In a rain-curtailed 19-overs-a-side thriller, LSG's skipper rotated bowlers with precision — introducing Shahbaz Ahmed at the right moment, backing struggling Digvesh Rathi in the final over, and extracting a career-defining performance from Prince Yadav. The nine-run win is a masterclass in tactical acumen, even if LSG's playoff hopes remain dim.
Key Takeaways
LSG defeated RCB by nine runs in a 19-overs-a-side rain-curtailed match at Ekana Cricket Stadium on 8 May .
LSG defended 213 and restricted RCB to 203/6 .
Rishabh Pant's bowling rotations — introducing Shahbaz Ahmed (two wickets) and backing Digvesh Rathi in the final over — proved decisive.
Prince Yadav took three wickets , including Virat Kohli's first dismissal in a 200-plus chase in nearly a decade.
LSG remain bottom of the points table with six points from ten matches .
Rishabh Pant's tactical acumen with the ball guided Lucknow Super Giants to a nail-biting nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on 8 May, in a rain-curtailed 19-overs-a-side encounter. Defending 213, LSG restricted RCB to 203/6, with Pant's bowling changes and in-game calls proving the difference in the closing overs.
Early momentum from Shami
Mohammed Shami set the tone with an early breakthrough, continuing his season-long streak of taking wickets in opening spells. LSG's bowling unit started with precision, putting RCB under immediate pressure and establishing control that would prove crucial later.
The turning point: Shahbaz Ahmed's introduction
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Aditya Tare, analysing the match, highlighted a critical juncture by the end of the 12th over when Pant had not yet introduced his fifth bowler — a risky position in a shortened format. Pant's decision to hand the ball to Shahbaz Ahmed paid immediate dividends, with the left-arm spinner picking up two crucial wickets and shifting momentum decisively in LSG's favour.
Backing Rathi in the final over
In the high-pressure final over, Pant made a bold call by entrusting Digvesh Singh Rathi with the responsibility despite the spinner having conceded 41 runs across his first three overs. The decision underscored Pant's faith in his bowlers' character. Rathi responded by delivering when it mattered most, using his googly to restrict RCB in the decisive moments.
Prince Yadav's standout performance
Young pacer Prince Yadav delivered a standout display, accounting for three wickets and producing a standout delivery to dismiss Virat Kohli — Kohli's first dismissal in a 200-plus chase in nearly a decade. Yadav's accuracy and composure under pressure drew praise from analysts, marking a significant performance in a high-stakes fixture.
LSG's playoff hopes remain distant
Despite the morale-boosting victory, LSG remain anchored at the bottom of the IPL points table with six points from ten matches. The win, while tactically impressive, leaves the franchise with a steep climb to salvage their tournament.
Point of View
But decisive. The decision to introduce Shahbaz Ahmed by the 13th over, trust Rathi's googly in the final over despite his earlier struggles, and lean on Prince Yadav's accuracy showed a captain learning his craft under pressure. LSG's bottom-table position masks the quality of their cricket in patches. If Pant can sustain this level of tactical clarity and if the middle order finds consistency, LSG's late-season surge is still possible — though the mathematics are unforgiving.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did LSG beat RCB in the Ekana match?
LSG defeated RCB by nine runs in a rain-curtailed 19-overs-a-side contest on 8 May. Defending 213, LSG restricted RCB to 203/6 through smart bowling rotations and tactical decisions by captain Rishabh Pant, including timely introductions of Shahbaz Ahmed and backing of Digvesh Rathi in the final over.
What was Rishabh Pant's key captaincy decision in the match?
Pant introduced left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed as his fifth bowler by the 13th over — a move that yielded two crucial wickets. He also backed Digvesh Rathi in the final over despite Rathi conceding 41 runs in his first three overs, a decision that paid off when Rathi restricted RCB with his googly.
How did Prince Yadav perform against RCB?
Prince Yadav took three wickets, including a standout delivery to dismiss Virat Kohli — Kohli's first dismissal in a 200-plus chase in nearly a decade. Yadav's accuracy and composure under pressure drew widespread praise.
What is LSG's current position in the IPL points table?
Despite the victory over RCB, LSG remain at the bottom of the IPL points table with six points from ten matches, leaving them with a steep climb to qualify for the playoffs.
