IPL 2025 59th Match Pre-Match Analysis: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 59th Match Preview: Who Will Win in Lucknow?

The IPL 2025 59th Match is set to be a blockbuster as Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on May 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. This IPL 2025 Pre-Match Analysis provides a comprehensive breakdown of team form, player performances, venue dynamics, and predictions for the winner, Player of the Match, and the most dismissable bowler. With both teams eyeing playoff berths, this clash is pivotal. For live updates, visit ESPNcricinfo.

Match Overview: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Team vs Team: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• Stadium Name and Place: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
• Date & Time: May 9, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
• Match Context: The IPL 2025 59th Match is a crucial encounter in the playoff race. LSG, bolstered by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive batting, aim to leverage home advantage, while RCB, riding on Virat Kohli’s consistency, seek to maintain their strong away record (six consecutive away wins in IPL 2025). Their earlier clash on April 2, 2024, saw LSG win by 28 runs, but RCB’s recent form makes this a highly anticipated rematch.

IPL 2025 Current Team Rankings, Points Table, NRR, and Playoff Predictions

Based on performances up to May 5, 2025:

• Lucknow Super Giants: Likely in the top four (3rd-4th) with 10-12 points from 11-12 matches. Their Net Run Rate (NRR) is positive, thanks to dominant wins like a 5-wicket thrashing of SRH in 16.1 overs. LSG’s balanced squad, with Pooran’s 335 runs and Shardul Thakur’s bowling, positions them as playoff contenders.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Currently topping the table with 12-14 points from 11-12 matches, bolstered by a +0.5 NRR. RCB’s six straight away wins, including a 50-run victory over CSK and a 9-wicket win over RR, make them favorites for a top-two finish.
• Playoff Predictions: RCB are strong favorites to secure a playoff spot, potentially finishing first or second. LSG need consistent wins to confirm their top-four berth, making this match critical for their seeding.

Note: Rankings are speculative based on trends. Check ESPNcricinfo for real-time updates.

Squad Information

Lucknow Super Giants Squad

• Key Players: Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, David Miller, Ayush Badoni.
• Probable XI: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, David Miller, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi.
• Impact Subs: Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad

• Key Players: Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma.
• Probable XI: Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma.
• Impact Subs: Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Dar, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh.

Both teams feature explosive batsmen and versatile bowlers, with RCB’s pace attack contrasting LSG’s spin-heavy strategy at Ekana.

Player Performance Analysis

Lucknow Super Giants Key Players

1. Nicholas Pooran Performance: Pooran, the Orange Cap holder, has been LSG’s batting mainstay with 335 runs in 10 matches (37.22 average, 192.52 strike rate). His 31 off 16 against KKR and a match-winning blitz against SRH highlight his destructive form. He thrives on Ekana’s flat pitches.
2. Aiden Markram Performance: Markram’s 333 runs (33.3 average, 148.66 strike rate) provide stability. His 71 off 42 against KKR, including a six over midwicket, showcases his ability to anchor and accelerate.
3. Shardul Thakur Performance: Thakur’s best IPL figures (4 wickets against SRH) and 10 wickets overall make him LSG’s leading pacer. His ability to bowl cutters on Ekana’s slow pitch will challenge RCB’s batsmen.
4. Digvesh Rathi Performance: The young bowler has taken 10 wickets at an economy of 8.13, with his variations troubling batsmen. His 24 SR makes him a key middle-overs weapon.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Key Players

1. Virat Kohli Performance: Kohli’s 446 runs in 10 matches (55.75 average, 141.13 strike rate) include a 66th IPL fifty against RR. His 59 off 36 in the KKR win sealed a chase, making him RCB’s anchor at Ekana.
2. Phil Salt Performance: Salt’s aggressive starts (56 off 31 vs KKR, 37 off 17 vs DC) have set RCB’s tone. His 37 off 17 against DC included three fours and two sixes off Starc, showcasing his powerplay dominance.
3. Josh Hazlewood Performance: Leading the Purple Cap race with 18 wickets (8.8 economy, 12.31 SR), Hazlewood’s 4-0-22-1 against KKR and 2-36 against DC highlight his consistency. His bounce will test LSG’s top order.
4. Krunal Pandya Performance: Krunal’s all-round impact (second IPL fifty vs DC, 13 wickets) is vital. His 4-0-29-3 against KKR, dismissing Rahane and Russell, shows his ability to choke opposition on slow pitches.

Venue Analysis: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

• Ground Information: Ekana Stadium features a black-soil pitch that starts slow but becomes batting-friendly under lights. The average first-innings score in IPL 2025 is 170-190, with teams chasing winning 65% of matches due to dew. Boundaries are large (70-75m square, 80m straight), favoring spinners and cutters.
• First Batting vs Second Batting: The second batting team has a significant advantage due to dew, which makes the ball skid and harder to grip for bowlers, especially spinners. Teams batting first need 190+ to defend, as seen in LSG’s 181/5 vs RCB in 2024. The toss is critical, with chasing teams dominating at Ekana.
• Duke Impression: The Dukes ball offers early swing at Ekana’s cooler evening conditions, benefiting pacers like Hazlewood and Avesh. However, the ball softens quickly on the dry pitch, reducing reverse swing. Spinners like Krunal and Bishnoi thrive in the middle overs as the pitch grips.

Key Battles to Watch

1. Nicholas Pooran vs Josh Hazlewood: Pooran’s 192.52 strike rate meets Hazlewood’s pinpoint accuracy. Hazlewood’s bounce dismissed Pooran in 2024, but Pooran’s six-hitting (15 maximums in IPL 2025) could target Ekana’s boundaries.
2. Virat Kohli vs Shardul Thakur: Kohli’s 446 runs face Thakur’s cutters. Thakur’s 4-wicket haul against SRH shows his knack for breakthroughs, but Kohli’s 59 off 36 vs KKR highlights his chasing prowess.
3. Phil Salt vs Ravi Bishnoi: Salt’s powerplay aggression (37 off 17 vs DC) meets Bishnoi’s googly. Bishnoi’s economy (under 7) could curb Salt, but Salt’s 56 off 31 vs KKR shows his ability to dominate spin.

Predictions

• Cricket Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru are favored to win the IPL 2025 59th Match, given their six consecutive away wins and Hazlewood’s Purple Cap form. RCB’s batting depth, led by Kohli and Salt, suits Ekana’s chasing conditions. LSG’s home advantage and Pooran’s form make them dangerous, but RCB’s momentum gives them a slight edge.
• Player of the Match: Virat Kohli is a top contender, likely to anchor a chase with a 50-70 run knock, as seen in his 59 off 36 vs KKR. His experience on slow pitches like Ekana boosts his chances. Alternatively, Nicholas Pooran could claim it with a 40-50 ball blitz if LSG post a big total.
• Most Dismissable Bowler: Josh Hazlewood is expected to be the most dismissable bowler, with 18 wickets in IPL 2025. His 2-36 against DC and ability to exploit Ekana’s bounce could see him dismiss LSG’s key batsmen like Pooran or Markram.

Strategic Insights

• Lucknow Super Giants: LSG must capitalize on their powerplay with Marsh and Markram to post 190+ if batting first. Bishnoi and Rathi should bowl in tandem to choke RCB’s middle order on Ekana’s slow pitch. Using Pooran aggressively and Impact Subs like Prince Yadav for extra bowling could be key. LSG need to improve their catching after dropping chances against KKR.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: RCB should rely on Salt and Kohli to dominate the powerplay, setting up a chase. Hazlewood and Krunal must target LSG’s top order early. Using Bethell as an Impact Sub for spin-bowling all-round skills could counter LSG’s spinners. RCB’s fielding, as seen in Axar’s diving effort vs DC, will be crucial.

Conclusion

The IPL 2025 59th Match between Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on May 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST, is a playoff-defining clash. RCB’s away form and Hazlewood’s bowling give them an edge, but LSG’s home advantage and Pooran’s firepower make this a close contest. Virat Kohli’s performance and Josh Hazlewood’s dismissals are likely to shape the outcome, with the second batting team favored due to dew.

For more updates, sign up now.

For live cricket score and further updates, check out