Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline
If you think IPL rivalries need decades to feel intense, Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru will happily prove you wrong. This fixture arrived in 2022 and immediately started delivering chaos, drama, and edge-of-the-seat finishes.
You don’t just watch these games. You brace yourself for them.
From last-ball thrillers to fiery on-field confrontations, this rivalry packs more personality than some long-standing matchups. So how did it all unfold? What moments actually shaped it? And which knocks truly defined it?
Let’s break down the complete Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline and relive every major moment.
IPL 2022 – The Rivalry Begins
First-Ever Clash – April 2022
Lucknow Super Giants entered IPL 2022 as a fresh franchise, but they didn’t behave like newcomers. KL Rahul led a well-balanced squad, and the team looked confident from day one.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru came in with experience and star power. Faf du Plessis took charge as captain, while Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell formed the batting core.
RCB batted first and posted 181/6. Faf du Plessis led the charge with a brilliant 96 off 64 balls, falling just short of a century.
LSG started their chase steadily. KL Rahul scored a composed 30, but the middle order failed to accelerate when needed. RCB bowlers controlled the death overs and sealed a win by 18 runs.
That match gave us our first clue: this rivalry would feature strong batting contests and tight finishes.
Second Clash – Eliminator 2022
The stakes jumped immediately when both teams met again in the Eliminator. Knockout pressure always exposes teams, and this match did exactly that.
RCB batted first and produced one of the most iconic innings in IPL playoff history. Rajat Patidar smashed an unbeaten 112 off 54 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes.
That innings didn’t just dominate the scoreboard. It dismantled LSG’s bowling confidence completely.
RCB posted 207/4, a massive total in a knockout game.
LSG responded with intent. KL Rahul scored 79 off 58 balls, anchoring the chase. Deepak Hooda and Marcus Stoinis tried to keep the momentum alive, but the required rate kept climbing.
RCB held their nerve and won by 14 runs, eliminating LSG.
At this point, RCB owned the rivalry. But things wouldn’t stay that way for long.
IPL 2023 – Chaos, Drama, and Pure Madness
If 2022 introduced the rivalry, 2023 turned it into a full-blown spectacle.
Match 1 – The Insane Chase in Bengaluru
RCB batted first and absolutely exploded.
- Virat Kohli scored 61 off 44 balls
- Faf du Plessis smashed 79 off 46 balls
- Glenn Maxwell blasted 59 off 29 balls
RCB finished at a massive 212/2. Most teams would celebrate early at that point.
LSG had other plans.
Marcus Stoinis played a counterattacking innings of 65 off 30 balls, keeping LSG in the game. Then Nicholas Pooran walked in and flipped reality.
Pooran smashed 62 off just 19 balls, reaching his fifty in 15 balls, which ranks among the fastest in IPL history.
The chase went down to the final ball. LSG somehow crossed the line, finishing at 213/9 and winning by 1 wicket.
Let’s pause here for a second. That match had everything:
- A 200+ successful chase
- One of the fastest fifties ever
- A last-ball finish
- Absolute chaos in the final over
And yes, Avesh Khan throwing his helmet after the win added extra spice.
Match 2 – Low Score, High Tension
The second match in Lucknow didn’t produce a run-fest, but it delivered something even more memorable.
RCB bowled first and completely dominated. LSG struggled throughout the innings and managed only 108 all out.
RCB chased the target with ease, winning by 18 runs despite losing a few wickets.
But nobody talks about the scoreline.
Everyone talks about the confrontation between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.
The tension escalated after the match. Heated words flew. Players stepped in. Cameras caught everything.
That moment officially transformed this fixture into a rivalry with emotional weight.
IPL 2024 – Tactical Battles Take Over
Match 1 – RCB Dominates in Bengaluru
RCB came into this season looking for consistency. They executed their plans perfectly in the first clash.
Virat Kohli led from the front with a fluent over-70 score, anchoring the innings. The middle order supported him well, and RCB posted a competitive total.
The bowlers then stepped up. Mohammed Siraj and the attack kept things tight and restricted LSG effectively.
RCB secured a comfortable win and showed improved control compared to previous seasons.
Match 2 – LSG Hits Back
LSG responded strongly in the return fixture.
KL Rahul played a captain’s knock, building the innings with calm precision. The middle order added quick runs, pushing the total to a defendable score.
The bowlers delivered under pressure and defended the target successfully.
This phase showed maturity from both teams. They focused more on execution and less on chaos, though tension always lingered.
Head-to-Head Record (Accurate Overview)
As of IPL 2024, here’s how the rivalry stands:
- Total Matches Played: 6
- RCB Wins: 3
- LSG Wins: 3
- Average First Innings Score: ~180
- Matches Decided in Final Over: 2+
No team dominates consistently. That balance keeps the rivalry unpredictable and exciting.
Memorable Knocks – Detailed Breakdown
Now let’s dig deeper into the innings that truly shaped the Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline.
Rajat Patidar – 112 (54) – Eliminator 2022
Patidar walked into a high-pressure knockout game and played like he owned the stage.
He attacked from the start and never slowed down. He punished both pace and spin, finding gaps effortlessly and clearing boundaries with ease.
Why this knock matters:
- It came in a do-or-die match
- It lifted RCB to a 200+ total
- It exposed LSG’s bowling under pressure
IMO, this innings remains the most impactful performance in this rivalry.
Nicholas Pooran – 62 (19) – 2023
Pooran didn’t just chase a target. He dismantled it.
He targeted specific bowlers, used his strong base, and generated insane power. His bat swing looked effortless, but the results felt brutal.
Key highlights:
- Fastest fifty of IPL 2023 (15 balls)
- Turned a losing chase into a winning one
- Shifted momentum instantly
This innings proved that no total feels safe in T20 cricket.
Faf du Plessis – 96 (64) – 2022
Faf’s innings in the first-ever clash set the tone for RCB.
He built the innings patiently and accelerated at the right time. He controlled the tempo and anchored the team’s total.
Even without a century, this knock showed leadership and intent.
KL Rahul – 79 (58) – Eliminator 2022
Rahul played a captain’s innings under pressure.
He held one end and kept LSG in the game, but the required rate kept climbing due to Patidar’s massive score.
This innings highlighted Rahul’s consistency, even in tough situations.
Marcus Stoinis – 65 (30) – 2023
Stoinis played the perfect supporting role in that insane chase.
He attacked early, took pressure off the middle order, and ensured LSG stayed within reach of the target before Pooran took over.
Without this innings, the chase would have collapsed early.
Statistical Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 6 |
| RCB Wins | 3 |
| LSG Wins | 3 |
| Highest Team Score | RCB – 212/2 |
| Highest Successful Chase | LSG – 213/9 |
| Lowest Team Score | LSG – 108 |
| Best Individual Score | Rajat Patidar – 112* |
| Fastest Fifty | Nicholas Pooran – 15 balls |
| Most Runs | KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (consistent scorers) |
| Most Wickets | Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan |
| Closest Match | LSG win by 1 wicket (2023) |
Memorable Knocks Table
| Player | Score | Strike Rate | Match Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | 112* (54) | 207+ | Match-winning playoff knock |
| Nicholas Pooran | 62 (19) | 326+ | Historic chase finisher |
| Faf du Plessis | 96 (64) | 150 | Set foundation in first clash |
| KL Rahul | 79 (58) | 136 | Anchored tough chase |
| Marcus Stoinis | 65 (30) | 216 | Kept chase alive |
Tactical Comparison
RCB’s Game Plan
RCB relies heavily on explosive starts.
Their top three—Kohli, Faf, and Maxwell—attack aggressively. When they fire, RCB becomes extremely dangerous.
But here’s the catch: if early wickets fall, the middle order struggles to maintain momentum.
LSG’s Strategy
LSG prefers balance.
They build innings steadily and rely on finishers like Pooran to accelerate late. Their bowling unit adapts well and often controls middle overs.
This flexibility helps them in tight situations.
Why This Rivalry Works
It Feels Personal
Players don’t treat this like a routine game.
You see emotions, reactions, and intensity in every match.
It Produces Drama
You get:
- Last-ball finishes
- Heated arguments
- Unexpected heroes
That combination keeps fans invested.
It Stays Unpredictable
No team dominates for long.
Every match starts fresh, and momentum shifts constantly.
Final Thoughts
Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Timeline proves that rivalries don’t need decades to feel special.
This matchup delivers everything—big scores, iconic innings, controversy, and edge-of-the-seat finishes. You never know who will step up or how the game will turn.
If you love unpredictable cricket with a side of drama, this fixture never disappoints.
So next time these teams meet, don’t expect a calm evening. Expect fireworks, tension, and at least one moment that gets everyone talking.
