Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed a golden chance to move to the top of the IPL 2026 points table after suffering a narrow nine-run defeat to bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants on May 7. Chasing 213, RCB entered the contest as favourites following four successful run chases in a row, but despite fighting knocks from skipper Rajat Patidar and the explosive Tim David, the Bengaluru side fell short in the closing stages.
LSG’s disciplined bowling attack proved decisive after their batters posted a competitive total in the first innings. Young pacer Prince Yadav starred with figures of 3/33, including the massive wicket of Virat Kohli for a second-ball duck. The victory helped the Rishabh Pant-led side snap a six-match winless streak and stay alive in the tournament at a crucial stage of the season.
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RCB Back Jitesh Amid Form Slump
Following the defeat, former India spinner Murali Kartik expressed concern over the poor form of Jitesh Sharma and Jacob Bethell. Jitesh, a key figure in RCB’s 2025 title-winning run, has managed only 64 runs in eight innings this season and was dismissed for just one against LSG. Despite the slump, Kartik backed the wicketkeeper-batter to regain form, saying every player goes through difficult phases.
Kartik also highlighted RCB’s growing worries at the top order, with Bethell failing to impress as a replacement for injured opener Phil Salt. The youngster has scored only 43 runs in four matches and fell cheaply again against Mohammed Shami. Kartik added that RCB are missing the explosive starts Salt and Virat Kohli consistently provided during last season’s title-winning campaign.
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