Though relatively old, the LSG vs RCB rivalry would not be as famed in IPL as others but it has provided its share of classic matches. Matches between LSG and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since Lucknow’s IPL entry in 2022 have been filled with tense finishes, on-field tussles, record-breaking performances and playoff-defining clashes.
Even though RCB is one of the oldest franchises in IPL, Lucknow Super Giants recently made their presence felt since they joined the tournament. Many prominent figures in this exciting rivalry include Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Rishabh Pant and Rajat Patidar over the years.
Head-to-Head: RCB leads the overall head to head (so far) in IPL 2026 but most of these contests have been top-drawer cricket
Head-to-Head Record
The two teams met eight times since Lucknow made its IPL debut in 2022.
Overall Statistics
- Matches Played: 8
- RCB Wins: 5
- LSG Wins: 3
- No Result: 0
- RCB Highest Score: 230
- LSG Highest Score: 227
The numbers reflect RCB’s slight advantage but a number of games have been closely contested.
IPL 2022: The Start of the Rivalry
April 19, 2022 – First Meeting of all time
The two sides met for the first time in IPL 2022.
18-run win for Bengaluru in Mumbai Even as the bowling unit did well to defend that target, Faf du Plessis took charge from the front. The victory set up Bengaluru with an early nose ahead in the newly minted rival.
25 May 2022 – Eliminator Clash
Eliminator Clash → May 25, 2022
When the teams met in IPL 2022 Eliminator, it further intensified the rivalry.
RCB managed to put up a game total and their bowlers halted LSG within that. Rajat Patidar lit up the night with an incredible unbeaten hundred as Bengaluru overcame Lucknow by 14 runs to knock them out of the tournament. That innings is the 2nd greatest playoff knock in IPL history.
RCB had won both encounters against Lucknow by the end of IPL 2022.
Read more: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders Timeline
IPL 2023: A Rivalry is Born
10 April 2023 – The Chinnaswamy Thriller
M. Chinnaswamy had witnessed one of the most dramatic matches in IPL history.
This is how RCB scored huge totals, but it was one of the best chasesIPL 2026: Another Competitive Chapter.
May 1, 2023 – RCB Hits Back
At Lucknow, the teams met again, this time RCB came back strongly.
The bowlers came to play on a very tough surface for batting and Bengaluru won by 18 runs. The RCB bowling attack and Virat Kohli were main highlights in drawing level both the teams in the season series.
The head-to-head record after IPL 2023 was 3-1 in favor of RCB.
IPL 2024: Lucknow’s Statement Victory
April 2, 2024 – LSG Dominates in Bengaluru
Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024Displaying their very best against RCB – Lucknow Super Giants
Batting first, LSG scored an impressive total before their bowlers limited Bengaluru. RCB eventually went on to lose the match by 28 runs at home.
Mayank Yadav, one of the young pace sensations in Indian domestic circuit emerged as a potential future star this season and injected some fresh energy into Lucknow bowling line up.
The loss reduced the head-to-head deficit and proved that LSG would take on RCB in any conditions.
IPL 2025: The Chase of a Lifetime
April 2025 – Low-Scoring Battle
This was another close contest between the two sides in their first meeting of IPL 2025.
RCB go 1-0 in close, and maintains form against LSG
May 27, 2025 – Historic Run Chasing
This match is considered as the best match in the history of this rivalry.
After captain Rishabh Pant clobbered a superb 118 not out off 61 balls, Lucknow Super Giants scored a mammoth 227/3.
This is a target that most teams would have crumbled to even chase but RCB had something else in mind.
Bengaluru chased down 228 on the back of a scintillating knock of 85(33) from Jitesh Sharma with eight balls to spare. Not only was it RCB’s highest run chase in IPL however it also proved to be a vital advantage for the team going into the playoffs.
IPL 2026: Another Competitive Chapter
15 April 2026 – RCB wins again
Match 2: RCB-LSG, Bengaluru Image Source : IPLThe first meeting between the two sides in 2026 saw them play at Bengaluru.
RCB chased down the target to win by five wickets and extend their overall lead in the head-to-head record of 15-9 over KKR.
May 7, 2026 – LSG Fight Back
Lucknow hit back in the reverse fixture at the Ekana Stadium.
Mitchell Marsh scored a sublime hundred that ensured LSG made over 200 Lucknow narrowly survived a spirited chase from Bengaluru to keep the rivalry going.
It turned out to be one of the greatest run chases in IPL cricket history.
Key Records
- Most Matches Won: RCB (5)
- RCB highest team total : 230
- Highest Team Total by LSG: 227
- Largest Winning Margin: Most wins with RCB, by 18 runs
- Most Memorable Match: LSG winning by one wicket in Bengaluru (2023)
- Most Successful Chase – RCB 228 in 2025
These standings highlight how closely matched and dynamic this rivalry is.
Memorable Players in the Rivalry
Virat Kohli (RCB)
This rivalry has produced its fair share of iconic moments with Virat Kohli being the star a lot of times. With a never-back-down attitude, staking his claim with the bat and intensity has been one of the many defining features in RCB vs LSG clashes!
Rajat Patidar (RCB)
Match 74, IPL 2022 Eliminator: Patidar’s ton still one of the key innings in this fixture
KL Rahul (LSG)
Rahul was a key part of the formation of Lucknow as a competitive IPL side as they were their first captain.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG)
Pooran has produced fireworks against Bengaluru before, and remains one of LSG’s biggest mavericks.
Rishabh Pant (LSG)
Records queueIt’s a rivalry that has been nicknamed ‘The Ultimate Test’ and Pant’s 118* in 2025 is rated as one of the best individual performances ever seen between the two teams.
Jitesh Sharma (RCB)
RCB fans never really forget his 85* that won a match during the record chase of 2025.
by Lucknow. LSG won a thrilling last-ball one-wicket victory.
The celebrations that followed became just as famous as the game itself. The run-in between LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir and Kohli became one of the speaking points across all the cricket circles.
It turned the fixture into a bonafide IPL rivalry.
Conclusion
Although shorter than the rivalries of seasoned IPL teams, we recap some epic moments that have made the Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline memorable. An Eliminator century from Rajat Patidar, the nail-biting 2023 Chinnaswamy thriller, to the historic record race chase of 228 in 2025—each season has added one more chapter.
RCB currently leads the head-to-head battle, and with both teams boasting superstar squads, fans can look forward to many more exciting clashes over the next few years. The epic rivalry is building its way up and LSG vs RCB is becoming one of the most enticing fixtures in IPL.