Mitchell Marsh’s Explosive Century Powers LSG to 209/3 Against RCB in Rain-Hit IPL Clash

Lucknow, May 2026 : Lucknow Super Giants rode on a sensational century from Mitchell Marsh and a late blitz by skipper Rishabh Pant to post a massive 209/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their rain-curtailed Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.

Persistent rain interruptions reduced the contest to 19 overs per side, but the shortened game did little to slow down Marsh, who produced one of the most destructive innings of the season. The Australian all-rounder smashed 111 runs off just 56 balls, laced with nine fours and nine towering sixes, completely dominating the RCB bowling attack from the outset.

Pant then provided the finishing touch with a breathtaking cameo of 32 not out from only 10 deliveries as LSG crossed the 200-run mark in emphatic fashion. Following the innings, RCB were handed a revised target of 213 under the DLS method.

After winning the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar opted to bowl first, hoping the conditions would assist his bowlers. However, Marsh quickly turned the tide in LSG’s favour. Though Bhuvneshwar Kumar generated some early movement with the new ball, Marsh counterattacked brilliantly, especially against Josh Hazlewood in the second over.

The aggressive opener launched Hazlewood for two massive sixes and immediately put RCB on the back foot. Rain interrupted the match twice during the Power-play, but Marsh resumed after every break with even greater intensity, refusing to let the momentum slip.

Krunal Pandya was also taken apart as Marsh hammered the left-arm spinner for boundaries and sixes with ease. Rasikh Salam Dar endured a particularly difficult spell, conceding heavily as Marsh raced to his half-century in just 20 balls — the fastest fifty of his IPL career.

LSG ended the Power-play strongly at 68 without loss, with Marsh contributing the bulk of the runs. At the other end, young opener Arshin Kulkarni played a supporting role, struggling initially but staying at the crease to help build a solid opening partnership.

The pair added 98 runs for the first wicket before Krunal Pandya finally dismissed Kulkarni for 17. However, the breakthrough did little to slow the scoring rate.

Marsh continued to dominate both spin and pace, dispatching Suyash Sharma and Romario Shepherd to all parts of the ground. His magnificent century came in the 14th over when he drove Shepherd through point for four, bringing up a remarkable hundred in only 49 balls — the fastest century ever scored by an LSG batter in IPL history.

Nicholas Pooran added further momentum with a quickfire 38 off 23 deliveries, striking four boundaries and a six while rotating the strike effectively alongside Marsh.

Hazlewood eventually ended Marsh’s extraordinary innings in the 17th over when Jacob Bethell completed a sharp catch at deep point. By then, however, the damage had already been done.

Pant then launched a blistering assault in the closing overs. The LSG captain smashed Hazlewood for two boundaries and a six before taking apart Rasikh Dar in the final over. He struck three consecutive boundaries, including a stunning six over backward point off the final ball of the innings, lifting LSG past the 200-run mark.

Despite some disciplined phases from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, RCB bowlers struggled throughout to contain Marsh’s relentless hitting on a batting-friendly surface.

Brief Scores:
Lucknow Super Giants 209/3 in 19 overs (Mitchell Marsh 111, Nicholas Pooran 38, Rishabh Pant 32*; Krunal Pandya 1/31) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.