Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the defending champions sitting 2nd with 12 points (W6, L3), are heavy favourites against bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 50 of IPL 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST. LSG are last with just 4 points (W2, L7) and have lost six consecutive matches. They are also winless at Ekana this season.
RCB won the reverse fixture convincingly, bowling LSG out for 146 (Rasikh Dar 4/24, Bhuvneshwar 3/27) and chasing the target in just 15.1 overs with Kohli scoring 49. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the Purple Cap with 17 wickets in 9 matches, while Virat Kohli has scored 379 runs at SR 165.50 (his highest powerplay SR in IPL history at 166.9). Phil Salt remains injured, with Jacob Bethell filling in at the top.
LSG vs RCB IPL 2026 Match 50: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 50, IPL 2026 (Reverse Fixture) |
| Teams | Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Date | Thursday, May 7, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| LSG Captain | Rishabh Pant |
| RCB Captain | Rajat Patidar |
| IPL 2026 Standings | RCB: 2nd (W6, L3 = 12 pts) | LSG: Last (W2, L7 = 4 pts) |
| Reverse Fixture Result | RCB won by 5 wickets at Chinnaswamy (Apr 15) |
The 8-point gap (12 vs 4) is enormous. LSG are on a six-match losing streak and winless at Ekana. Their playoff hopes are mathematically slim. RCB, despite losing their last match to GT, remain one of the most balanced teams in the tournament.
Season Stats Comparison: LSG vs RCB
Here is full Season Stat Comparison:
Batting Stats: IPL 2026 Season Comparison
| Metric | LSG | RCB |
|---|---|---|
| Top Run-Scorer | Marsh (256 runs, avg 28.44, SR 139.13) | Kohli (379 runs, avg 54+, SR 165.50) |
| Key Batter | Pooran (recent fifty; inconsistent overall) | Padikkal (282 runs, SR 188.00; rejuvenated) |
| Captain | Pant (low SR but SR 216.07 vs Bhuvi!) | Patidar (consistent; SR 184+) |
| Losing Streak | 6 consecutive losses; bottom of table | Lost to GT (3rd loss); still 2nd |
| Home Record (Ekana) | 0 wins in 4 home matches this season | Won reverse fixture; away from home |
Kohli‘s 379 runs at SR 165.50 is his best IPL season by powerplay strike rate (166.9, career-best per CricTracker). In the reverse fixture, Kohli scored 49 to lead RCB’s chase. Furthermore, Padikkal‘s 282 runs at SR 188.00 makes him one of IPL 2026’s most improved batters.
Marsh‘s 256 runs at SR 139.13 makes him LSG’s top scorer, but his average of 28.44 reflects the team’s inability to convert starts. Additionally, Pooran slammed a recent fifty that suggests a form uptick, though his season has been defined by inconsistency.
Bowling Stats: IPL 2026 Season Comparison
| Metric | LSG | RCB |
|---|---|---|
| Top Wicket-Taker | Prince Yadav (11+ wkts; 3/32 vs RCB) | Bhuvneshwar (17 wkts in 9; Purple Cap leader) |
| Lead Pacer | Shami (disciplined; dismissed Kohli 5x in 13 T20s) | Hazlewood (MOTM in reverse fixture; consistent eco) |
| Key Stat | Avesh Khan (11+ wkts but expensive at times) | Rasikh Dar (4/24 vs LSG in reverse fixture) |
| Venue Stat | Pacers 75% of wickets at Ekana (83 of 111) | Bhuvi, Hazlewood, Rasikh = 3 international pacers |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s 17 wickets in 9 matches give him the Purple Cap. However, he faces a fascinating challenge: Rishabh Pant strikes at a staggering 216.07 against Bhuvneshwar across 10 T20 innings per Newsbytes/ESPNcricinfo. That matchup could be the most explosive of the evening.
At Ekana, pacers have taken 83 of 111 wickets (75%) in the last 10 matches per cricketaddictor. That heavily favours RCB’s three international pacers (Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood, Rasikh) over LSG’s pace attack.
What Happened in the Reverse Fixture (Match 23)?
At the Chinnaswamy on April 15, RCB dominated comprehensively. Rasikh Dar took 4/24, Bhuvneshwar 3/27, and Krunal Pandya 2/38 as LSG were bowled out for 146. Marsh top-scored with just 40. Prince Yadav took 3/32 for LSG, but Kohli’s 49 led RCB home in just 15.1 overs.
That result showed the gulf between these two sides. LSG have not improved since then. Instead, they have lost 6 straight and are winless at Ekana.
LSG vs RCB Head-to-Head Record in IPL
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Meetings | 7 (LSG joined 2022) |
| RCB Wins | 5 |
| LSG Wins | 2 |
| Last 5 Meetings | RCB 3, LSG 2 |
| Reverse Fixture (Apr 15, 2026) | RCB won by 5 wickets (chased 146 in 15.1 overs) |
| LSG Home Wins vs RCB | 0 at Ekana this season |
RCB dominate 5-2 across 7 meetings. LSG have yet to win at Ekana this season (0 wins in 4 home matches). That makes this one of the most lopsided fixtures in IPL 2026.
Ekana Stadium Pitch Report for LSG vs RCB
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Slow and sticky; grips for spinners; low bounce |
| Avg 1st Innings (IPL 2026) | 155 (lowest-scoring IPL 2026 venue) |
| Pacer Dominance | 75% of wickets by pacers (83 of 111 in last 10) |
| Scores Range | 140-160 typical; 200+ rare here |
| Dew Factor | Expected in 2nd innings; helps chasing |
| Weather | ~25 degrees C, 33% humidity, clear skies |
Ekana remains the lowest-scoring venue in IPL 2026 with an average first-innings score of just 155. The slow, sticky surface rewards disciplined bowling over aggressive batting. That means scores of 160-170 are competitive, and 180+ is a match-winning total. For RCB, this suits Bhuvneshwar‘s swing, Hazlewood‘s precision, and Suyash Sharma‘s wrist spin.
Key Matchup Stats to Watch
Here are the Key Player’s Battles:
Mohammed Shami vs Virat Kohli
Shami has dismissed Kohli 5 times across 13 T20 innings per ESPNcricinfo. Additionally, Kohli’s SR drops to 140 against Shami, which is significantly below his season average of 165.50. This powerplay battle is LSG’s best chance of containing RCB’s run machine.
Rishabh Pant vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Pant strikes at an extraordinary 216.07 against Bhuvneshwar across 10 T20 innings per ESPNcricinfo/Newsbytes. That is a massive outlier, considering Bhuvneshwar holds the Purple Cap (17 wickets). If Pant can target Bhuvneshwar, LSG’s batting could produce a competitive total.
Padikkal vs Prince Yadav
Padikkal‘s SR of 188.00 against Prince Yadav‘s pace (3/32 in the reverse fixture) is the middle-overs duel. Yadav dismissed RCB batters cheaply in the first meeting. If Yadav can restrict Padikkal during overs 7-15, LSG’s bowling gains control. However, Padikkal has been merciless against both pace and spin this season.
LSG Predicted Playing XI vs RCB
LSG have made frequent changes this season. Multiple sources suggest Josh Inglis and Akshat Raghuwanshi in the XI alongside Pant, Marsh, and Markram. Himmat Singh and Abdul Samad are also options.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishabh Pant (c/wk) | Opener / Captain / WK |
| 2 | Josh Inglis | Opener |
| 3 | Mitchell Marsh | No. 3 / All-rounder |
| 4 | Aiden Markram | Middle Order |
| 5 | Nicholas Pooran | Finisher |
| 6 | Akshat Raghuwanshi | Middle Order |
| 7 | Himmat Singh | All-rounder |
| 8 | Mohammed Shami | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Mohsin Khan | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Avesh Khan | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Prince Yadav | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Abdul Samad, Digvesh Rathi, Manimaran Siddharth, Ayush Badoni
RCB Predicted Playing XI vs LSG
Salt remains injured. Bethell continues at the top. RCB may retain the same XI from the GT match. Suyash Sharma could come in as the spinner on Ekana’s gripping surface.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Opener |
| 2 | Jacob Bethell | Opener |
| 3 | Devdutt Padikkal | No. 3 |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar (c) | No. 4 / Captain |
| 5 | Jitesh Sharma (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 6 | Tim David | Finisher |
| 7 | Romario Shepherd | Pace All-rounder |
| 8 | Krunal Pandya | Spin All-rounder |
| 9 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Josh Hazlewood | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Suyash Sharma | Leg-spinner |
Impact Player Options: Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Swapnil Singh
LSG vs RCB IPL 2026 Match 50: Match Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are heavy favourites. Three factors support this prediction.
Why RCB Will Win at Ekana
First, H2H and reverse fixture dominance. RCB lead 5-2 and demolished LSG for 146 in the first meeting. They chased it in 15.1 overs. That psychological edge is enormous.
Second, bowling superiority. Bhuvneshwar (17 wickets, Purple Cap), Hazlewood (MOTM vs LSG), and Rasikh (4/24 vs LSG) form the most dangerous pace trio in the tournament. On Ekana’s pacer-friendly surface (75% of wickets to pacers), this attack could run through LSG’s fragile batting.
Third, Kohli on slow surfaces. Kohli’s ability to anchor innings suits Ekana perfectly. His 379 runs at SR 165.50 show he can score at pace even on challenging surfaces. Furthermore, Padikkal’s SR 188.00 adds the acceleration RCB need in the middle overs.
Can LSG End Their Losing Streak at Home?
LSG’s best chance lies in two matchups. Shami has dismissed Kohli 5 times in 13 T20 innings, which gives LSG an early wicket opportunity. Furthermore, Pant‘s extraordinary SR of 216.07 against Bhuvneshwar means he can counterattack RCB’s best bowler.
However, LSG have lost 6 straight and are winless at Ekana. That level of poor form is virtually impossible to overcome against a team of RCB’s quality.
Toss Prediction: Both captains will prefer bowling first. Dew in the second innings helps chasing. However, Ekana’s low-scoring nature means batting first and posting 170+ is also a viable strategy.
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Final Verdict
Match 50 of IPL 2026 is a mismatch on paper. RCB are 2nd (12 pts) with the Purple Cap holder (Bhuvneshwar, 17 wickets) and one of IPL 2026’s best batters (Kohli, 379 runs, SR 165.50). LSG are last (4 pts) with a 6-match losing streak and 0 home wins at Ekana.
The only intrigue lies in the Shami vs Kohli (5 dismissals in 13 T20s) and Pant vs Bhuvneshwar (SR 216.07) matchups.
If Shami can dismiss Kohli early and Pant can counterattack Bhuvneshwar, LSG have a slim chance. Otherwise, RCB should win comfortably and further solidify their position in the playoff race.
