RCB brace for Pooran-Marsh onslaught in crucial LSG showdown

Royal Challengers Bengaluru face a stern challenge as they prepare to take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday. The Bengaluru outfit will have their work cut out against LSG’s formidable and aggressive top order, which has been in scintillating form throughout IPL 2025, showcasing both consistency and intent.

Currently placed third on the points table with 17 points, RCB will look to solidify a top-two finish by securing a win in Lucknow. However, standing in their path are the destructive duo of Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, two of LSG’s most dependable performers this season, who, along with opener Aiden Markram, have provided several standout moments during what has otherwise been a topsy-turvy campaign for the hosts.

Notably, Markram will be unavailable for this fixture due to his commitment to the ICC World Test Championship final with South Africa.

Marsh has been the cornerstone of LSG’s batting lineup, emerging as the franchise’s leading run-scorer. He currently stands fourth overall in the 2025 IPL run charts, amassing 560 runs from 12 innings at an impressive average of 46.66. His blazing strike rate of 161.84 is complemented by a century and five half-centuries, with a highest score of 117.

Pooran follows closely as the team’s second-highest run-getter, having compiled 511 runs from 13 innings. Averaging 46.45 and scoring at a blistering strike rate nearing 199, Pooran has registered five fifties, including a top score of an unbeaten 87. He is currently the 10th-highest run-scorer in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Markram occupies the 13th position on the 2025 run-scorers list. The South African batter has scored 445 runs in 13 innings at an average of 34.23 and a healthy strike rate of 148.82. His tally includes five half-centuries, with a top score of 66.

Together, Marsh and Markram, who have often opened the batting for LSG, have stitched 574 runs in partnerships. While surpassing the record of 791 runs set by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s overseas pair David Warner and Jonny Bairstow in 2019 might seem improbable, a mammoth 218-run stand could see them eclipse that milestone.

Collectively, Marsh, Markram, and Pooran have notched up 16 scores of 50 or more this season. Marsh leads the way with one century and five fifties, followed by Markram and Pooran, who have five half-centuries each.

This article first appeared on Mid Day