Lucknow Super Giants finally ended their miserable losing streak with a dramatic nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a rain-shortened thriller at Ekana Stadium.
The night belonged to Mitchell Marsh, whose blistering 111 off 56 balls gave Lucknow the platform for a daunting total of 209 for 3 in a 19-overs-a-side contest.
Marsh was relentless from the start, punishing both pace and spin with clean hitting straight down the ground and through the leg side. His hundred came off just 49 deliveries, the fastest century in Lucknow’s IPL history.
While Marsh dominated the headlines, Rishabh Pant added the finishing touch with a fearless cameo, smashing 32 off only 10 balls to push the hosts beyond 200.
RCB’s chase suffered an immediate blow when Prince Yadav produced a stunning inswinger to bowl Virat Kohli for a duck.
Yet the visitors fought back brilliantly through Rajat Patidar, who hammered 61 from just 26 deliveries and briefly swung momentum their way.
Just when the match threatened to slip away, Prince returned with a decisive spell, removing Devdutt Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma in quick succession. Shahbaz Ahmed then delivered crucial breakthroughs, including the wicket of Tim David, who had launched a late assault.
RCB still threatened deep into the final over, but Lucknow held their nerve at last. After six straight defeats, this was not merely a win, it was survival, belief, and relief rolled into one unforgettable evening.