The Indian Premier League 2025 reached its crescendo with the 70th match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow in Dream11 too. This final league fixture carried immense significance for both teams—LSG fighting to salvage pride after a disappointing campaign, while RCB aimed to secure a top-two finish and a direct route to Qualifier 1.
The match delivered everything cricket enthusiasts could ask for: a century from Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli’s elegant fifty, and a breathtaking finish orchestrated by Jitesh Sharma that saw RCB complete their highest-ever successful run chase in IPL history. For fantasy cricket players, this high-scoring thriller offered valuable lessons in team selection and captain choices that we’ll explore in this comprehensive Dream11 prediction guide.
Table of Contents
LSG vs RCB Match Analysis: What Actually Happened
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that initially seemed questionable as LSG piled on 227/3. Rishabh Pant, who had endured a difficult season after being acquired for a record ₹27 crore, silenced critics with a magnificent unbeaten 118 off 61 balls. His celebration—a somersault after reaching his century—captured the emotional release of a player returning to his best. Mitchell Marsh continued his consistent form with a solid 67 off 37 deliveries, taking his season tally beyond 600 runs.
In response, RCB’s chase was methodical yet aggressive. Virat Kohli laid the foundation with 54 off 30 balls, but it was stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma who stole the show with an explosive 85* off just 33 deliveries. Supported by Mayank Agarwal’s composed 41* off 23 balls, RCB reached the target with eight balls to spare, completing a historic six-wicket victory that propelled them to second place in the points table.
The match also featured a remarkable display of sportsmanship when Pant withdrew a run-out appeal against Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end, a gesture that earned him widespread appreciation.
LSG vs RCB Head-to-Head Record
| Teams | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | 2 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 4 (including this match) |
Pitch and Weather Analysis for Dream11 Strategy
| Factor | Details | Impact on Dream11 Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 33°C | Favors batsmen as bowlers tire quickly |
| Weather | Scattered Clouds | No rain interruptions expected |
| Pitch Behavior | Batting-friendly | Load up on top-order batsmen |
| Best Suited To | Pace | Include quality fast bowlers |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 188 | Target exceeded significantly |
| Chasing Success Rate | 80% | Captaincy preference to batsmen from chasing team |
Dream11 Team Selection Strategy: Lessons from the Match
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
The match results validated certain Dream11 captain choices while challenging others:
- Jitesh Sharma (85 off 33)* – The standout performer who wasn’t widely chosen as captain but delivered the highest points.
- Rishabh Pant (118 off 61)* – Despite LSG’s loss, Pant’s century made him a valuable captain choice.
- Virat Kohli (54 off 30) – A solid but not match-winning contribution.
- Mitchell Marsh (67 off 37) – Consistent performer throughout the season.
Dream11 Team Composition Based on Match Performance
| Role | Best Performers | Dream11 Points (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma | 118, 127 |
| Batsmen | Virat Kohli, Mitchell Marsh, Mayank Agarwal | 81, 100, 61 |
| All-rounders | Shahbaz Ahmed | 12 |
| Bowlers | Nuwan Thushara, William O’Rourke | 42, 38 |
Optimal Dream11 Team Post-Match Analysis
Based on actual performances, the ideal Dream11 team would have been:
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma (C)
- Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Mitchell Marsh, Mayank Agarwal
- All-rounders: Krunal Pandya
- Bowlers: Nuwan Thushara, William O’Rourke, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan
This combination would have maximized points by capturing the high-scoring batsmen while including bowlers who managed to take wickets in a high-scoring game.
Expert Advice for Future Dream11 Predictions
- Track Form Over Reputation: Jitesh Sharma’s explosive innings reinforces the importance of considering current form rather than just big names.
- Venue Analysis is Crucial: The Ekana Stadium’s 80% success rate for chasing teams should have influenced captain selection from the chasing side.
- Balance Risk and Reliability: While differential picks can provide an edge, core selections should include consistent performers like Kohli and Marsh.
- Adapt to Team News: RCB’s stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma proved to be the match-winner, highlighting the importance of staying updated with last-minute team changes.
- Consider Match Context: With playoff implications, players from teams with more at stake (RCB in this case) often deliver exceptional performances.
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FAQs
What made Jitesh Sharma the best captain choice for this match?
Jitesh Sharma’s aggressive batting style perfectly suited the chase scenario at Ekana Stadium. As stand-in captain, he took additional responsibility and his position in the batting order (coming in during the middle overs against potentially tired bowlers) maximized his scoring opportunities. His 85* off just 33 balls, including 8 sixes, translated to approximately 127 Dream11 points
How should Dream11 players approach the playoffs based on this match?
This match demonstrated that high-pressure situations often bring out exceptional performances from key players. For playoff Dream11 predictions, prioritize players with proven big-match temperament, consider the specific match context (eliminator vs. qualifier), and don’t overlook the impact of venue characteristics on likely match outcomes.
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