The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is in its critical phase, and Match 59 brings an intense showdown between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on May 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. For fans and fantasy enthusiasts on Starexchange, this do-or-die clash offers a prime opportunity to leverage predictions and fantasy picks.

Match Overview

• Teams: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Date and Time: May 9, 2025, 7:30 PM IST

• Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

• Head-to-Head (IPL History): RCB leads with 3 wins to LSG’s 2 in 5 encounters. In their last meeting (IPL 2023), LSG chased 213 at Chinnaswamy, winning by 1 wicket off the final ball, thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s 62 off 19.

• Recent Form:

• LSG: L-L-L-W-L (5 wins, 6 losses in 11 games, 7th in points table, 10 points, NRR -0.135)

• RCB: W-W-W-W-L (8 wins, 3 losses in 11 games, 2nd in points table, 16 points, NRR +0.638)

• Playoff Context: LSG face a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, needing all remaining matches and favorable results to reach 16 points. RCB, on a four-match winning streak, need just one win to secure a playoff berth and aim for a top-two finish.

Pitch Report

The Ekana Cricket Stadium has been more batting-friendly in IPL 2025 compared to previous seasons, offering a fair contest between bat and ball. The average first-innings score is 168, with teams chasing winning 10 of 18 matches since 2024. Recent games show slight assistance for spinners in the middle overs, but dew often aids chasers.

• Key Characteristics:

• Good bounce and pace, favoring aggressive batsmen early.

• Spinners find grip in the middle overs; pacers dominate powerplay and death.

• Chasing teams have a 55% win rate, with 4 of 5 matches in 2025 won by teams bowling first.

• Toss Strategy: Captains are likely to bowl first due to dew and the chasing advantage. Batting first requires a total of 180+ to be competitive.

Weather Conditions

• Temperature: 26-32°C, partly cloudy.

• Humidity: Around 41%, with 7% chance of precipitation.

• Dew Factor: Significant in the second innings, favoring the chasing team.

• Wind: Gusts up to 26 kmph, unlikely to impact play.

Team Analysis

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games, including an 8-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals at home. Their batting, driven by Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Ayush Badoni, is potent but inconsistent, while their bowling, led by Avesh Khan and Digvesh Rathi, has been leaky, conceding 200+ in recent outings.

• Strengths:

• Explosive batting with Pooran (145 runs in last two games) and Markram (348 runs, 4 fifties).

• Home advantage at Ekana, where they’ve won 4 of 6 games in 2025.

• Weaknesses:

• Pant’s poor form (strike rate below 120) and David Miller’s underwhelming season (153 runs, SR 126).

• Bowling inconsistencies, with Avesh Khan (economy 15 in last game) and Mayank Yadav struggling.

• Key Players:

• Nicholas Pooran: 34 vs RCB, 145 runs in last two games, top captaincy pick.

• Aiden Markram: 348 runs, 4 wickets, consistent all-rounder.

• Avesh Khan: 10 wickets in 10 games, but needs to curb runs.

• Rishabh Pant: 157 runs in 4 games vs RCB, due for a big knock despite poor form.

• Probable XI: Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Mitchell Marsh, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav. Impact Sub: Ravi Bishnoi.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB, under Rajat Patidar, are in scintillating form, winning four straight games, including a 200+ total against Mumbai Indians. Virat Kohli leads the batting with 505 runs, supported by Phil Salt and Romario Shepherd, while Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya anchor the bowling. Their depth and momentum make them formidable.

• Strengths:

• Deep batting lineup with Kohli (505 runs, 7 fifties), Salt (239 runs), and Shepherd (53* off 14).

• Potent bowling with Hazlewood (18 wickets, 3rd in Purple Cap race) and Pandya (14 wickets).

• Weaknesses:

• Patidar’s recent batting struggles (11, 6, 1 in last 3 innings).

• Middle-order inconsistency from Devdutt Padikkal (247 runs but fading form).

• Key Players:

• Virat Kohli: 505 runs, 139 vs LSG, leading run-scorer. A Starexchange must-pick.

• Josh Hazlewood: 18 wickets, excels in powerplay, back after missing one game.

• Krunal Pandya: 14 wickets, 97 runs, economical spinner.

• Phil Salt: 239 runs, aggressive opener, 165 vs LSG in 3 games.

• Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal. Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma.

Match Prediction

Explore detailed TATA IPL 2025 Match Predictions to stay ahead. Below is a comprehensive analysis with match predictions, key players, pitch insights, and fantasy cricket tips to optimize your Starexchange selections.

Key Factors

• LSG’s Batting vs RCB’s Bowling: Pooran and Markram’s form will test RCB’s bowlers, but Hazlewood’s powerplay breakthroughs and Pandya’s spin could exploit LSG’s middle-order frailties.

• RCB’s Batting vs LSG’s Bowling: Kohli’s consistency and Salt’s aggression face a struggling LSG attack, with Avesh Khan and Rathi leaking runs recently.

• Venue and Form: Ekana’s batting-friendly pitch suits RCB’s deep lineup, and their four-match winning streak contrasts LSG’s four losses in five.

• Toss Impact: Bowling first is preferred due to dew, with 4 of 5 2025 Ekana games won by chasers.

• Sentiment on X: Posts favor RCB’s momentum, with Kohli tipped for a big score, though some highlight Pooran as LSG’s key hope.

Prediction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are strong favorites with a 54% win probability, driven by their form, deeper batting, and superior bowling. LSG’s playoff hopes hinge on Pooran and Markram, but their bowling struggles and recent losses make an upset unlikely. Expect a competitive, high-scoring game, with RCB likely to win, especially if chasing.

• Win Probability:

• RCB: 54%

• LSG: 46%

• Score Prediction:

• If RCB bat first: 190-210

• If LSG bat first: 170-190

Fantasy Cricket Tips for Starexchange

Fantasy Team Suggestions

Based on form, venue stats, and match-ups, here are two fantasy teams for LSG vs RCB Match 59 on Starexchange.

Team 1 (Balanced)

• Wicketkeepers: Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Jitesh Sharma

• Batsmen: Virat Kohli (captain), Aiden Markram, Phil Salt

• All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Mitchell Marsh

• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal

• Captain: Virat Kohli (505 runs, 139 vs LSG)

• Vice-captain: Nicholas Pooran (145 runs in last two games, 34 vs RCB)

Team 2 (High-Risk, High-Reward)

• Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant

• Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (vice-captain), Ayush Badoni

• All-rounders: Aiden Markram (captain), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd

• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Digvesh Rathi, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

• Captain: Aiden Markram (348 runs, 4 wickets, consistent)

• Vice-captain: Phil Salt (239 runs, aggressive vs LSG)

Must-Pick Players

• Virat Kohli (RCB): 505 runs, 7 fifties, 139 vs LSG. Top captaincy choice.

• Nicholas Pooran (LSG): 145 runs in last two games, 34 vs RCB, key for LSG.

• Josh Hazlewood (RCB): 18 wickets, powerplay threat, fresh after a break.

• Aiden Markram (LSG): 348 runs, 4 wickets, reliable all-rounder.

• Krunal Pandya (RCB): 14 wickets, 97 runs, economical on Ekana’s grippy pitch.

Players to Avoid

• David Miller (LSG): 153 runs, SR 126, no 30+ score this season.

• Rajat Patidar (RCB): Out of form (11, 6, 1 in last 3 innings).

• Mayank Yadav (LSG): High economy (14.20 in last game), limited impact.

Captaincy and Vice-Captaincy Tips

• Safe Choices: Virat Kohli, Nicholas Pooran, Josh Hazlewood

• Differential Picks: Aiden Markram (if LSG bat first), Phil Salt (if chasing)

• High-Risk Strategy: Rishabh Pant or Romario Shepherd as captain for big returns in a high-scoring game.

Fantasy Strategy

• Batting-Heavy Selection: Prioritize top-order batsmen (Kohli, Pooran, Salt) due to Ekana’s batting-friendly pitch.

• Bowling Balance: Include pacers (Hazlewood, Avesh) for powerplay wickets and spinners (Pandya, Suyash) for middle-over control.

• Venue-Specific Picks: Players with Ekana form (Pooran, Markram) or RCB’s in-form stars (Kohli, Hazlewood) are key.

• Toss Consideration: If RCB bowl first, stack their bowlers (Hazlewood, Pandya). If LSG bat first, include Pooran and Markram.

Key Player Battles to Watch

• Nicholas Pooran vs Josh Hazlewood: Pooran’s power-hitting (145 runs recently) faces Hazlewood’s pinpoint powerplay bowling.

• Virat Kohli vs Avesh Khan: Kohli’s 139 vs LSG meets Avesh’s 10 wickets, with Avesh dismissing him once.

• Phil Salt vs Ravi Bishnoi: Salt’s aggression (165 vs LSG) vs Bishnoi’s spin, crucial in the middle overs.

• Aiden Markram vs Krunal Pandya: Markram’s consistency vs Pandya’s economical spin on a grippy pitch.

Conclusion

The LSG vs RCB clash in IPL 2025 Match 59 at Ekana Stadium is poised for a high-scoring, competitive battle. RCB’s momentum, deep batting, and potent bowling make them favorites, but LSG’s home advantage and Pooran’s form keep them in contention. For Starexchange fantasy players, prioritize Kohli, Pooran, and Hazlewood, with Markram and Pandya as all-round picks. Monitor the toss and dew for final tweaks.