IPL 2026: RCB vs LSG Highlights, Match 23 - Stats, Player of the Match & More

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their victory run in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), with a dominant five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 23 on Wednesday, April 15 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. After RCB opted to bowl first, LSG’s batting woes continued as they were bundled out for 146 in 20 overs, with Rasikh Salam Dar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/27) being the destroyers-in-chief.

In reply, RCB chased down the target in just 15.1 overs with Virat Kohli leading the way with another brilliant knock. Earlier, LSG got off to a slowish start to their innings, with Mitchell Marsh (40 off 32) and Aiden Markram (12 off 8) not allowed to tee off right from the word go, courtesy of some disciplined bowling from Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood.

Rasikh Salam Dar got the first success for RCB, by dismissing Markram, while Nicholas Pooran’s (1 off 7) dry run also continued to haunt LSG, who were left reeling at 35/2 in 6.1 overs. To make matters worse, captain Rishabh Pant got hit on his arm and retired hurt.

After two early blows, Marsh and Badoni (38 off 24) stitched a 36-run stand off 22 balls, but they weren’t allowed to continue as Krunal Pandya (2/38) shattered Marsh's stumps. LSG’s new finishing sensation Mukul Choudhary (39 off 28), arrived at the crease at 83/4 and stitched another useful 35-run stand off 27 balls with Badoni to help the team cross the 110-run mark.

In the end, LSG lost the last five wickets for 22 runs and were bundled out for 146. In reply, RCB lost Philip Salt (7 off 8) early, who was cleaned up by Prince Yadav (3/32, 3 overs), but Virat Kohli kept the run rate in check with his marauding strokeplay. He added 57 runs for the second wicket with Devdutt Padikkal (10 off 11). Kohli fell just one run short of his half-century, holing out at long on against Avesh Khan (2/23).

Following his dismissal, quick cameos from Rajat Patidar (27 off 13), Jitesh Sharma (23 off 9), Tim David (14* off 8) and Romario Shepherd (14* off 8), ensured that RCB crossed the line inside 16 overs, to boost their net run rate.

Courtesy of their victory, RCB climbed to the top of the points table with eight points from five games, while LSG slipped to seventh spot with four points from five games. 

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Josh Hazlewood was adjudged Player of the Match for his magnificent spell in the power play. He finished with figures of 1/20 in four overs, scalping the big wicket of Nicholas Pooran. His economical bowling didn't allow LSG to get off to a flying start, and they had to settle for a below-par score. Hazlewood's accurate bowling also served as the turning point of the match.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru):

It was fantastic (on the bowling). I think the good thing was we won the toss. And the way the fast bowlers hit the deck was nice to watch. Even I don't know what he's going to bowl next but I would say he's a very courageous bowler (on Krunal Pandya). And at the same time, Suyesh's stump-to-stump bowling was tremendous to watch. (On the new-ball pair of Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood) Of course, for a captain, if you have specialist bowlers in T20 leagues, it makes the job easier because you don't have to tell them what to do next. The experience and ideas are helping all the other bowlers as well. (On RCB's fielding) The team has been working on fielding intensity since the start of the IPL. That was followed by (Phil) Salt and he usually takes those one-handed and flying catches. It was a great catch for him. No, it's a long way to go (on the title hopes). Right now, we are just looking one game at a time.

Losing Captain, Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants' stand-in skipper):

It's been a tough season for us, 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. It's T20 cricket. It's a tough game. It's a tough game to stay consistent as well. But the guys have been really working hard and we're ready for them. We'll try to fight it out as well. And I just believe it's a matter of time. Just stay patient, be ready for the opportunity, and take it on the team. (On his batting) I'm feeling really good and striking the ball nicely. Unfortunately, it hasn't been going my way this time in the tournament. But that's happened before. I've been in this position already, I know how to fight. And I believe I'll get out of this.