RCB Go Top After Bowling Masterclass Sinks LSG

RCB moved to the top of the IPL table with a commanding win over LSG, driven by a disciplined bowling display that neutralized LSG’s struggling top order. This win was thanks to the defensive bowling skills of Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya. They took three wickets between them. Others were more successful on the night but it was very much a case of pressure created at one end resulting in mistakes at the other. Rishabh Pant had a chastening night, taking a blow to his left elbow, retiring hurt in the fifth over, coming back in the 16th with LSG in dire straits and being dismissed for 1 off 6. Hazlewood's excellence With Hazlewood back in the team, and bowling three of the first seven overs, RCB gained an early stranglehold over the game. On a pitch which was dry and holding up a bit, he made life extremely hard for the batters by never giving them a chance to free their arms. When Pant tried, he suffereed a blow on the left elbow and had to retire hurt. When Nicholas Pooran tried, he dragged the ball onto his stumps. RCB's quicks conceded runs at just over seven an over in the first 10. When they focused on keeping the ball around the off stump, runs would only come at just over three an over during this same period. Hazlewood was running so hot he merited a slip and a short leg at one point. Key points: Bowlers set it up: RCB’s attack kept LSG well below par, exploiting LSG’s season-long batting issues — run rate of 7.6, average 20.6, and just 182 as their highest total vs RCB’s four 200+ scores. Rasikh Dar returned from cramps to contribute, while the absence of Josh Hazlewood didn’t hurt. LSG selection watch: Mohsin Khan remained touch-and-go pending a fitness test. Mayank Yadav was ready and a possible swap for Avesh Khan, who’s gone at 10.4 economy across four games. RCB batting depth: Rajat Patidar continued his red-hot form — 195 runs at 214.28 SR, joint-most sixes with 18 — giving RCB a middle-overs edge. Virat Kohli passed fitness tests after an ankle strain and was available. Table impact: The win took RCB to top spot, extending their streak of 200+ totals and underlining the contrast — RCB’s batting firepower vs LSG’s bowling-reliant setup. Working within limits, then expanding them: He’s not a classical wristspinner or mystery bowler like most on that 100-wicket list. But he’s reinvented himself — bouncers, and now that crouched, low-arm slinger that skidded on instead of bouncing. Marsh read it as a short ball to pull, but the change in trajectory beat him for pace and bounce, crashing into the stumps via the inside edge. Pressure = wickets for others: Krunal + Hazlewood combined for 23 dots. That squeeze let Rasikh Salam cash in with 4/24 and Bhuvi pick up 3/27. Classic case of set-up and strike bowlers working in tandem.LSG collapse: Marsh had 40 of LSG’s 71 when he fell. After that, they unraveled. Five wickets fell in overs 17-20, including Rishabh Pant returning with a strapped left arm but unable to stop the slide. Krunal’s evolution is the story here. From “left-arm darts” to a bowler with genuine variations, he’s forcing batters to second-guess. And in T20s, doubt is half the battle. Royal Challengers Bengaluru 149 for 5 (Kohli 49, Prince 3-32) beat Lucknow Super Giants 146 (Marsh 40, Rasikh 4-24, Bhuvneshwar 3-27) by five wickets