Lucknow, May 9 — The IPL 2025 playoffs race is heating up, and tonight’s clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium is no less than a mini-final. As match number 59 rolls in, both sides are eyeing momentum—but for very different reasons.
RCB are cruising, sitting pretty at second with 8 wins in 11 games, while LSG are hanging by a thread at seventh with just 5 wins. The stakes? Sky high. The drama? Guaranteed.
Match Preview: RCB Roaring, LSG Searching
LSG are coming off a tough 37-run defeat against Punjab Kings, despite Ayush Badoni’s standout 74-run knock. Their batting has fired in patches, but the inconsistency is hurting them big time.
RCB, on the flip side, pulled off a thriller against Chennai Super Kings, winning by just two runs. Virat Kohli was once again the anchor, scoring 62 runs that turned out to be match-defining.
In their past five meetings, RCB holds a slight upper hand with 3 wins to LSG’s 2. Another tick in their favor?
Pitch & Weather Report: Batting Feast Incoming?
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Temperature: 33°C
- Weather: Scattered clouds but no rain threat
- Pitch: Flat and batting-friendly
- Pace-friendly: Yes
- Avg 1st innings score: 176
- Chasing success rate: 80% — chasing might be the smarter move.
LSG vs RCB Predicted Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants:
Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rishabh Pant (c), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Akash Singh, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal
Top Fantasy Picks (Dream11 Tips)
Captain Choices
- Virat Kohli – Consistent, experienced, and just dropped a classy 62.
- Nicholas Pooran – Power-hitter who can change the game in 10 balls.
Vice-Captain Options
- Rajat Patidar – Calm middle-order presence who rotates strike well.
- Aiden Markram – All-round threat; handy with the ball too.
Budget Picks
- Ayush Badoni – Scored 74 off 40 recently. In top form.
- Krunal Pandya – Can chip in with both bat and ball. Solid GL pick.
Players to Avoid
- David Miller – 29 points in the last match and hasn’t looked settled.
- Swapnil Singh – Didn’t play in the last game. Risky pick.
Dream11 Fantasy Teams
Dream11 Team 1 (Safe Pick):
- Keepers: Nicholas Pooran
- Batsmen: Virat Kohli (C), Mitchell Marsh, Rajat Patidar (VC), Ayush Badoni
- All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd
- Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Avesh Khan
Dream11 Team 2 (Aggressive GL Pick):
- Keepers: Nicholas Pooran (C)
- Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jacob Bethell, Ayush Badoni
- All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Krunal Pandya
- Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Mayank Yadav
Expert Dream11 Advice:
- SL (Small League) Captain: Virat Kohli
- GL (Grand League) Captain: Nicholas Pooran
- Punt Picks: Ayush Badoni & Krunal Pandya
- Best Combination: 1 Keeper – 4 Batsmen – 3 All-rounders – 3 Bowlers
Match Prediction: Who’ll Win?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru look more balanced, and their top order is firing. Unless LSG pull off something special at home, expect RCB to grab another win and inch closer to that top 2 finish.
