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LSG's Batting Woes Continue as RCB Cruise to Victory in IPL 2026 Clash

Stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran conceded that Lucknow Super Giants' persistent batting failures cost them in a five-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. LSG could only manage 146 runs, with Mitchell Marsh top-scoring, before RCB bowlers led by Rasikh Salam Dar restricted them. Virat Kohli's 49 set the platform for a rapid RCB chase, completed in just 15.1 overs. Despite the loss, Pooran expressed confidence in his team's ability to fight back in the upcoming matches.

Key Points: LSG vs RCB: Pooran Admits Batting Failure After Defeat

  • LSG posts low total of 146
  • RCB chases target in 15.1 overs
  • Virat Kohli scores fluent 49
  • Rasikh Salam Dar takes 4 wickets
  • Pooran remains optimistic for turnaround
2 min read

IPL 2026: 'We've been below par with the bat,' says Pooran after LSG loss against RCB

Nicholas Pooran says LSG's batting was "below par" in their loss to RCB. Virat Kohli's 49 led a dominant chase. Full match report and quotes.

"s.QUOTE: We've been below par with the bat... it's no secret we have been struggling with the bat the entire season, and today we paid the price. - Nicholas Pooran"

Bengaluru, April 15

Stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran admitted that Lucknow Super Giants' continued struggles with the bat proved costly in their five-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 23 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

"We've been below par with the bat. 175 would've been competitive. But it's no secret we have been struggling with the bat the entire season, and today we paid the price," Pooran said after the match.

Asked to bat first, LSG once again failed to gain early momentum, managing just 146 in their allotted 20 overs. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 40, while Ayush Badoni (38) and Mukul Choudhary (39) tried to steady the innings in the middle overs. However, regular wickets prevented them from building any substantial partnerships.

RCB's bowlers kept things tight throughout, with Rasikh Salam Dar emerging as the standout performer with four wickets. Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipped in with three scalps, while Josh Hazlewood maintained pressure with an economical spell.

In reply, RCB made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 15.1 overs. Virat Kohli led the charge with a fluent 49, setting the tone early in the innings. Contributions from Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma ensured there were no late hiccups as the hosts sealed a comfortable win.

Despite the disappointing result, Pooran remained optimistic about his team's chances going forward.

"It's T20 cricket. It's a tough game, and consistency is always a challenge. But the guys have been working really hard and we're ready to fight. I believe it's just a matter of time before things turn around," he said.

The West Indies batter also backed himself to bounce back from his own lean patch with the bat.

"I'm feeling good and striking the ball well. It hasn't gone my way in this tournament so far, but I've been in this situation before. I know how to fight, and I'm confident I'll come out of this," Pooran added.

Meanwhile, after three losses in four matches, LSG will next face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at PCA New International Stadium in New Chandigarh on Sunday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Great to see Rasikh Salam Dar performing! He's been a revelation for RCB this season. From Jammu & Kashmir to the IPL, his journey is inspiring. RCB's bowling looks much more balanced this year.
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Vikram M
King Kohli setting the tone as usual! 🐐 But seriously, LSG's problem is their batting strategy. They're playing too conservatively in the powerplay. In modern T20, you have to take risks early. They need to back their hitters.
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Ananya R
Respectfully, I think Pooran's captaincy is also part of the problem. The batting order seems unsettled. Why is Marsh opening? And where is the intent? Just saying "we'll fight" isn't enough, we need a clear plan. The management needs to step in.
K
Karthik V
Good to see the Indian youngsters like Ayush Badoni and Mukul Choudhary getting chances and trying to build an innings. They have potential. The experienced players around them need to provide more support. The season is long, haan, they can recover.
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Michael C
That was a clinical performance by RCB. Bowling first, restricting them, and then a smooth chase. This is the kind of cricket that wins tournaments. The Chinnaswamy crowd must have been electric!

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