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Mitchell Marsh produced a sensational century while Prince Yadav starred with the ball as Lucknow Super Giants kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling nine-run DLS victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Stadium on Thursday.

The rain-hit contest witnessed multiple interruptions before eventually being reduced to 19 overs per side. The victory also helped LSG end their six-match losing streak while registering their first home win of the season.

Mitchell Marsh’s brutal century powers LSG beyond 200

Asked to bat first, Mitchell Marsh came out with aggressive intent and completely dismantled the RCB bowling attack from the start.

The Australian opener smashed a breathtaking 111 off just 56 deliveries, hammering nine fours and nine sixes during his destructive stay at the crease. Marsh attacked almost every bowler and raced to his fastest IPL half-century in just 20 balls.

He first stitched together a quickfire 95-run opening partnership with Arshin Kulkarni before adding another important stand alongside Nicholas Pooran, who contributed 38 runs.

RCB struggled badly to contain the scoring rate as Marsh continued clearing the ropes with ease. Even repeated rain interruptions failed to break his rhythm.

After Marsh’s dismissal late in the innings, Rishabh Pant provided the finishing touches with a stunning cameo of 32 not out from just 10 balls as LSG posted 209/3. Following the rain adjustment, RCB were handed a revised target of 213.

Prince Yadav rattles Virat Kohli as RCB suffer early collapse

RCB’s chase got off to a nightmare start after Mohammed Shami removed Jacob Bethell in the opening over.

Just three balls later, Prince Yadav produced one of the deliveries of IPL 2026 to clean bowl Virat Kohli for a two-ball duck.

The young pacer bowled a sharp delivery that sneaked through Kohli’s defence before crashing into the stumps, leaving the Bengaluru camp stunned.

The dismissal marked Kohli’s first IPL duck since 2023 and his first duck while chasing since the infamous 49 all-out game against Kolkata Knight Riders back in 2017.

Rajat Patidar fights back but LSG hold nerves in tense finish

With RCB reeling early, Devdutt Padikkal and skipper Rajat Patidar launched a superb counterattack to revive the chase.

The pair added 95 runs for the third wicket while Patidar played some exceptional attacking shots against both pace and spin. The RCB captain smashed 61 runs and briefly shifted momentum towards Bengaluru.

However, Rishabh Pant’s decision to bring Prince Yadav back into the attack completely changed the game once again.

Prince first dismissed Padikkal with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort before removing Jitesh Sharma shortly after. Patidar also departed soon after as Aiden Markram completed an excellent running catch.

Despite late fighting knocks from Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd, LSG managed to hold their nerve in the final over.

Digvesh Singh Rathi delivered a composed final over under pressure as Lucknow finally secured a much-needed victory to stay alive in the playoff race.

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