As IPL 2025 heads into its final league match, all eyes turn to Match 70, where the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, May 27. While LSG are out of the playoff race, they’ll look to sign off their season with pride. RCB, on the other hand, have everything to play for — a win here would secure them a coveted top-two finish and a tactical advantage heading into the playoffs.
Ghar mein aakhri baar, dil se dil tak 💙❤ pic.twitter.com/opDImg6485
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 26, 2025
Match Snapshot
- Fixture: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Date & Time: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Form Guide: RCB Aim for the Top, LSG Play for Honor
RCB have enjoyed a strong campaign, with eight wins, four losses, and one no result from their 13 games. They sit third on the table and will finish in the top two if they win this match. Their recent stumble against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where they lost by 42 runs, will still be fresh in their minds.
LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, have had a mixed season with six wins and seven defeats. Their 33-run win over Gujarat Titans in their last outing was a bright spot, and they’ll be eager to ride that momentum and give their home fans something to cheer about.
What to Expect from the Pitch at Ekana Stadium
The surface at Lucknow has been a high-scoring one this season. Out of the seven matches played here in IPL 2025, five have been won by the chasing side. The average first-innings total stands around 188, and while the ground has large boundaries, the pitch has consistently favored batters. What’s more, the evening dew makes bowling in the second innings tricky, giving an extra edge to teams chasing. It’s no surprise that winning the toss and opting to field has become the preferred strategy here.
LSG vs RCB Head-to-Head Record
In the five previous IPL encounters between these two sides:
- RCB have won 3
- LSG have won 2
Their last meeting was back in April 2024, with both teams fielding significantly different lineups since then.
LSG vs RCB Predicted Lineups
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Aiden Markram
- Nicholas Pooran
- Rishabh Pant (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Ayush Badoni
- Abdul Samad
- Himmat Singh
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Akash Deep
- Avesh Khan
- William O’Rourke
- Digvesh Singh Rathi
- Impact Player: Mitchell Marsh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt
- Mayank Agarwal
- Jitesh Sharma (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Tim David
- Romario Shepherd
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Lungi Ngidi
- Suyash Sharma
- Impact Player: Rajat Patidar
Tabaahi ke ✌ naam… pic.twitter.com/vQ4R487GIF
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 26, 2025
LSG vs RCB Key Players to Watch
Virat Kohli – Leading the Charge
There’s no looking past Virat Kohli, who’s had a sensational IPL 2025. He’s amassed 548 runs in 12 innings at a jaw-dropping average of 60.89 with a strike rate of 145.36. This year, Kohli has taken a more aggressive approach early in his innings, and it’s paid off. If he gets going, RCB will be hard to stop.
Krunal Pandya – Home Turf Advantage
Though now playing for RCB, Krunal Pandya knows this pitch better than most, having spent several seasons with LSG. His crafty left-arm spin has earned him 15 wickets in 12 games, and his ability to control the game during the middle overs could prove crucial, especially if LSG bat first.
Nicholas Pooran – LSG’s X-Factor
For Lucknow, Nicholas Pooran will be the man to watch. His finishing skills and power hitting make him a constant threat. If he can anchor the back half of the innings, LSG could put up or chase down a daunting total.
Match-Up to Watch: Kohli and Salt vs Avesh Khan and Shahbaz Ahmed
RCB’s opening pair will have a point to prove after a subdued performance in their last match. LSG’s bowlers, particularly Avesh Khan with the new ball and Shahbaz Ahmed in the middle overs, will need to strike early to disrupt RCB’s rhythm. Conversely, if Kohli and Salt settle in, they could dictate terms from the outset.
Who Has the Edge?
Given the pitch conditions and both teams’ current form, RCB have a clear upper hand — especially if they chase. Their batting depth and a motivated Kohli could be the difference in what’s expected to be a high-scoring encounter. LSG, however, won’t go down quietly. With nothing to lose, they might take a few more risks, making for an unpredictable and thrilling finale to the group stage.
Our Prediction: RCB to Win if They Bat Second
Toss will be pivotal. Should RCB win it and choose to field, the dew and their in-form batting line-up will likely carry them over the line. If LSG bat first and manage a total north of 190, the match could get tight, especially if the pitch slows down early on.
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𝐈𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝟐.𝐎! 🤜🤛
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 26, 2025
They’re not going to hold back, watch out for the fireworks. 😮💨👊#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/dHqHJKiHhR
Conclusion
This isn’t just the last match of the league phase — it’s a final checkpoint before the high-octane playoffs. RCB will want to secure that top-two spot with authority. LSG, meanwhile, will look to spoil the party and finish their season on a high note in front of their home crowd.
Expect fireworks, tight contests, and standout performances under the Lucknow lights.
