Lucknow, May 8: Lucknow Super Giants finally ended their month-long nightmare in IPL 2026 with a dramatic nine-run DLS victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Stadium on Thursday (May 7).
After six consecutive defeats and growing pressure around the franchise, LSG produced one of their most complete performances of the season to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
The victory was powered by a breathtaking century from Mitchell Marsh and a decisive spell from young pacer Prince Yadav, who delivered at crucial moments during RCB's chase. The rain-affected contest, reduced to 19 overs per side after multiple interruptions, eventually saw Lucknow hold their nerve under pressure for the first time in weeks.
Asked to bat first, LSG came
out with desperation and aggression. Marsh, fully aware that the franchise's season was hanging by a thread, dismantled the RCB bowling attack from the outset. The Australian opener smashed 111 off just 56 deliveries, hammering nine fours and nine sixes in one of the finest innings of IPL 2026. He attacked Josh Hazlewood early with towering straight sixes and continued dominating every bowling change introduced by RCB.
Rain Interruptions Fail to Slow Lucknow's Momentum
Marsh first stitched together a 95-run opening stand with Arshin Kulkarni before adding another rapid partnership with Nicholas Pooran, who contributed 38. Despite repeated rain interruptions affecting rhythm and momentum, Marsh resumed after every break with the same attacking intent. He eventually brought up his century with consecutive boundaries before another rain stoppage briefly interrupted proceedings again.
Once Marsh departed, captain Rishabh Pant provided the final flourish with a blistering unbeaten 32 off just 10 balls as Lucknow finished at 209/3. Because of the revised conditions after rain delays, RCB's target was adjusted to 213.
Prince Yadav's Spell Changes the Match
The chase began disastrously for the defending champions. Veteran seamer Mohammed Shami removed Jacob Bethell early before Prince Yadav produced the moment of the night by dismissing Virat Kohli for a duck. The sharp nip-backer crashed into Kohli's stumps and left RCB reeling at 9/2. It was Kohli's first IPL duck since April 2023.
However, Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal launched a superb recovery that threatened to take the game away from Lucknow again. Patidar, in particular, looked sensational during his 61-run knock as he targeted LSG's bowlers with fearless strokeplay. Alongside Padikkal's composed 34, the duo added 95 runs for the third wicket and shifted momentum firmly towards RCB.
LSG Finally Hold Their Nerve in Crunch Moments
Just when the contest appeared to be slipping away, Pant's decision to reintroduce Prince Yadav changed everything. The pacer immediately removed Padikkal with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort before dismissing Jitesh Sharma soon after. Patidar also fell during the collapse as Aiden Markram completed a fine running catch, allowing LSG to regain control of the game.
Even then, RCB kept fighting through late blows from Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd. But Digvesh Rathi finally held his nerve in the last over, successfully defending 20 runs to seal a long-awaited win for Lucknow.
LSG End Historic Losing Streak at Home
The result carried significance far beyond just two points. This was LSG's first victory after six successive defeats and their first win in 30 days. More importantly, it was also their first victory at the Ekana Stadium this season after suffering four home defeats in IPL 2026. Their overall home losing streak had stretched to eight matches across IPL 2025 and IPL 2026, making it the joint third-worst sequence of successive home defeats in IPL history.
Only Delhi Daredevils, who lost nine straight home games between 2013 and 2015, and Deccan Chargers, who endured eight consecutive defeats in Hyderabad between 2008 and 2011, had suffered similar runs. Lucknow finally ended that unwanted streak against RCB.
Batting First Continues to Suit Lucknow
The match also reinforced a trend that has followed Lucknow throughout their IPL history. The franchise continues to perform significantly better while batting first. LSG now have 21 wins in 38 matches while setting a target, compared to just 12 wins in 30 matches while chasing. Their win percentage while batting first stands at 56.75, while it drops to 40 percent while batting second.
The victory also reversed another pattern from this season. Before Thursday, Lucknow had failed to defend a total in all four previous opportunities during IPL 2026. On the other hand, RCB had won all four matches while chasing. Both sequences ended dramatically in Lucknow.
Can This Victory Revive LSG's Season?
For Pant and LSG, this was more than just a statistical correction. The franchise had looked mentally exhausted during the losing streak, with pressure mounting around captaincy decisions, team combinations, and the inability to close out crucial moments. Against RCB, however, Lucknow finally showed the aggression, clarity, and composure that had been missing for weeks.
Whether the victory arrives too late to rescue their playoff campaign remains uncertain. But after spending an entire month searching desperately for momentum, LSG at least managed to rediscover belief.
Most Successive Home Defeats in IPL History
| Team | Venue | Consecutive Losses | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Daredevils | Delhi | 9 | 2013-15 |
| Deccan Chargers | Hyderabad | 8 | 2008-11 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | 8 | 2025-26 |
| Deccan Chargers | Hyderabad | 7 | 2011-12 |
| Pune Warriors India | Pune | 7 | 2012-13 |
