Marsh’s record century keeps LSG’ IPL Playoff hopes alive

KATHMANDU: Lucknow Super Giants kept their playoff hopes alive in the Indian Premier League 2026 with a thrilling nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a rain-shortened contest.

The match was reduced to 19 overs per side due to rain, with Lucknow posting a formidable 209/3 before restricting Bengaluru to 203/6.

Under the DLS method, Lucknow secured a crucial nine-run win.

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh starred with a sensational innings of 111 runs from just 56 balls, smashing 11 boundaries and six sixes.

It was a historic knock, becoming the fastest century ever scored for Lucknow in the IPL, as Marsh reached his hundred in only 49 deliveries after bringing up his half-century in 20 balls.

Nicholas Pooran contributed 38 runs, while captain Rishabh Pant provided a late blitz with an unbeaten 32 off just 10 balls. Pant finished the innings in style, striking two fours and a six in the final over to help Lucknow collect 64 runs in the last five overs.

Lucknow’s bowlers then delivered under pressure to defend the massive total. Young pacer Prince Yadav led the attack with three wickets, while Shahbaz Ahmed claimed two crucial scalps.

Bengaluru endured a disastrous start after star batter Virat Kohli was bowled for a duck in the second over by Prince Yadav — Kohli’s first IPL duck since 2023. Shortly afterward, Jacob Bethell also departed cheaply, leaving Bengaluru struggling at 9/2.

Captain Rajat Patidar launched a strong counterattack, scoring a rapid 61 off 26 balls, while Tim David added a quickfire 40 from 17 deliveries to revive Bengaluru’s chase.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Prince Yadav dismissed Devdutt Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma in quick succession. Shahbaz Ahmed then removed Patidar and David at crucial moments to put Lucknow firmly back in control.

Bengaluru still needed 33 runs from the final two overs, and Krunal Pandya briefly reignited hopes by hitting consecutive sixes off Mohammed Shami. But Bengaluru failed to score the required 20 runs in the final over as Lucknow held their nerve to seal a dramatic victory.

The win ended Lucknow’s six-match losing streak and kept their IPL campaign alive, while Bengaluru remained third in the standings with 12 points, ahead of Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans on net run rate.