Lucknow Super Giants find themselves at a crossroads heading into Match 59 of the IPL 2025 season, where they face a high-flying Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday, May 9. With three consecutive defeats and just 10 points from 11 games, LSG must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. A loss here for the Rishabh Pant-led side will end their campaign in a season that once promised much.
Must-win situation for LSG
LSG began IPL 2025 with four wins from their first six matches and looked set for a smooth playoff push. But a mid-season slump—three losses in their last four—has seen them slip to sixth. While mathematically alive, the margin for error is now zero. Against an RCB side that’s unbeaten away from home this season, LSG must bring their best, particularly with the bat, where their middle order, led by a struggling Rishabh Pant and David Miller, has faltered.
LSG Predicted XI vs RCB: Ravi Bishnoi in for whom?
Ravi Bishnoi was dropped in the last match as LSG opted for left-arm pacer Akash Singh, who impressed on debut with 2 wickets. However, the return to Lucknow—where pitches typically favour spin—could force LSG to revisit that call. Bishnoi has been off-colour this season, but at the Ekana, his inclusion makes tactical sense.
The big question is: who sits out? Akash’s debut performance complicates matters, and LSG may need to make a tough call between retaining recent form or backing experience in conditions that suit spin. Prince Yadav might have to sit out but he’s a terrific death bowler. Otherwise, Pant opts for a horses-for-courses approach and benches Akash Singh in favour of Bishnoi, who himself needs to pull his socks up quickly.
Ravi Bishnoi (LSG) IPL 2025 stats
| Inns | Balls | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 216 | 09 | 2/18 | 41.66 | 10.41 | 24.00 |
LSG Predicted Playing XI vs RCB
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Marsh ✈️ | Top-order Batter |
| Aiden Markram ✈️ | Top-order Batter |
| Nicholas Pooran ✈️ | Middle-order Batter |
| Rishabh Pant (c/wk) | Middle-order Batter/WK |
| Ayush Badoni | Middle-order Batter |
| David Miller ✈️ | Finisher |
| Abdul Samad | Finisher |
| Digvesh Rathi | Spinner |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Leg-spinner |
| Avesh Khan | Pacer |
| Mayank Yadav | Pacer |
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