The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, usually a graveyard for bowlers, witnessed a masterclass in pace and accuracy on Wednesday evening. in the 23rd match of ipl 2026The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) In a high-risk encounter that soon turned into a one-sided affair. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, RCB’s decision proved correct as their bowling leaders. Josh HazlewoodThe spell that combined brute force with surgical precision demolished LSG’s top order.
Josh Hazlewood blows up Nicholas Pooran’s stumps in RCB vs LSG match
The defining moment of the powerplay came in the 7th over (6.1), when Hough delivered a delivery that will probably feature on every end-of-season highlight reel. Having already troubled the Lucknow batsmen with his typical troublesome length, Hazlewood targeted a dangerous nicholas puran.
The ball was classic pitch, pitched at short-of-a-length, turning towards the left-hander and having enough zip to catch him. Desperate to break the shackles of a poor season, Pooran tried to pull the ball past the mid-wicket boundary. However, he lost space due to lack of space and extra bounce. A thin low edge dragged the ball onto the stumps, sending the bails flying and stunned silence in the LSG dugout. Pooran was out for just 1 run from 7 balls, an dismissal that perfectly expressed his ongoing struggles and Hazlewood’s complete dominance.
Here is the video:
Wood x 2️⃣!
Josh Hazlewood 🤜🤛 Krunal Pandya@RCBTweets 🔝at
Update ▶️ https://t.co/UztAZM9l0q#TATAIPL | #khelbindaas | #rcbvlsg pic.twitter.com/464Gt5q8Na
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 15 April 2026
Also read: IPL 2026: Know why Jacob Duffy is not playing in today’s match against Lucknow Super Giants
LSG is in trouble due to early faltering and injury to Rishabh Pant in the powerplay.
Lucknow’s troubles were not limited to the scoreboard only. Before Pooran was dismissed, the visiting team was dealt a psychological blow, which arguably caused more damage than any wicket. Captain in 5th over (4.4) Rishabh Pant Adding a layer of drama to an already tense atmosphere, he retired hurt and walked off the field.
Pant, who has been the anchor of LSG, faced a hostile reaction from Hazlewood. On the fourth ball of the fifth over, Pant attempted a wild swing across the line but missed and took a painful bottom edge into the ground near his feet. The cumulative effect of the speed and elbow strikes forced the physio to go out. Despite receiving medical attention on the field, the captain was unable to leave the crease after scoring 0 runs from 3 balls.
with aiden markram Already back in the hut (12 off 8) and with the captain sidelined, LSG found themselves at 112/4 (effectively 112/5 considering the injury) after 15 overs. The Bengaluru crowd, which is usually deafening in support of RCB, showed a rare moment of respect for the game when Pant returned to the pavilion limping, leaving the lower order facing an uphill battle against RCB’s aggressive bowling unit.
See also: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s heart-touching moment on the field makes headlines in MI vs RCB match
