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TATA IPL 2026 Match 23: Rasikh Dar & Virat Kohli Reclaim Top Spot in RCB vs LSG
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was treated to a masterclass in modern T20 efficiency as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dismantled the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets. By combining a lethal final-overs bowling display with a vintage Powerplay onslaught, RCB vaulted back to the summit of the points table, leaving a bruised LSG side to ponder their lowest total of the season.
Navi Mumbai | editorial@unboxdailyhq.com
The Essentials
- The Dar Destruction: Rasikh Salam Dar turned the death overs into a personal highlight reel, finishing with career-best figures of 4/24. His ability to nail pinpoint yorkers and deceptive slower balls accounted for the set Ayush Badoni and cleaned up the tail, restricting LSG to a sub-par 146.
- The Kohli Catalyst: Playing the role of the Impact Substitute to perfection, Virat Kohli extinguished any LSG hopes early. His blistering 49 off 34 balls (SR 144.1) included a flurry of boundaries in the Powerplay, ensuring the required rate never became a factor.
- Krunal’s Century: Amidst the carnage, Krunal Pandya reached a massive individual milestone. By dismissing Mitchell Marsh, he secured his 100th IPL wicket, briefly providing LSG with a glimmer of hope during the middle-over exchange.
The Pulse
After RCB captain Patidar opted to bowl, the LSG innings never truly found its rhythm. A frightening moment occurred early when LSG skipper Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the elbow by a Josh Hazlewood thunderbolt. Despite a resilient 40 from Mitchell Marsh and late-inning cameos from Ayush Badoni (38) and Mukul Choudhary (39), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/27) and Rasikh Dar ensured no late-innings explosion occurred. LSG were eventually dismissed for 146, the lowest full-innings total of the 2026 edition.
RCB’s chase was a story of pure intent. Following Phil Salt’s early departure, Virat Kohli took charge, racing to 40* within the Powerplay to settle any nerves. Jitesh Sharma then accelerated the finish, punishing Digvesh Rathi for 23 runs in a single over. Although Prince Yadav (2/28) struck late to remove both Jitesh and Patidar, the result was already a formality. Romario Shepherd and Tim David remained calm to seal the win with nearly five overs to spare.
The Tournament Tracker
| POS | TEAM | P | W | L | NR | NRR | PTS | RECENT FORM |
| 1 | RCB | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | +1.503 | 8 | W W L W W |
| 2 | RR | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | +0.889 | 8 | L W W W W |
| 3 | PBKS | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | +0.720 | 7 | W N W W |
| 4 | SRH | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +0.576 | 4 | W L L W L |
| 5 | DC | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | +0.322 | 4 | L L W W |
| 6 | GT | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -0.029 | 4 | W W L L |
| 7 | LSG | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -0.804 | 4 | L L W W L |
| 8 | CSK | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -0.846 | 4 | W W L L L |
| 9 | MI | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -0.772 | 2 | L L L W |
| 10 | KKR | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | -1.383 | 1 | L L N L L |
Top Performers
- Orange Cap Leader: Virat Kohli (SRH) – 228 Runs
- Purple Cap Leader: Prasidh Krishna (GT) – 10 Wickets
- Most Sixes: Rajat Patidar (RCB) – 21 Sixes
The Inside Intel
The tactical shift of the night was RCB’s decision to use Virat Kohli as an Impact Player. By keeping him out of the field, RCB allowed him to focus entirely on a high-intensity Powerplay start. Conversely, LSG’s struggle was compounded by the loss of Rishabh Pant’s tactical presence on the field after his injury. Without their captain to rotate the bowlers against a rampaging Jitesh Sharma, the LSG defence crumbled during the 14th-over assault by the RCB middle order.
The UDHQ Take
At Unbox Daily HQ, we’re calling this “The Chinnaswamy Clampdown”. Usually known for high-scoring shootouts, RCB has found a way to win with disciplined, clinical bowling. Rasikh Dar is no longer just a prospect; he is arguably the most improved death bowler in the circuit. For LSG, the concern is twofold: a falling Net Run Rate and a potentially significant injury to Rishabh Pant that could derail their playoff aspirations if he faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
Our TATA IPL 2026 Coverage
Noor Ahmad & Ayush Mhatre Spark Chepauk Celebration in CSK vs KKR
The Source
TATA IPL (Match 23: RCB vs LSG)
