A Young Rivalry With Outsized Drama
In just 6 meetings across 4 IPL seasons (2022–2025), Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants have already produced a knockout classic, a 1-wicket thriller, and a 28-run blowout. The head-to-head record reads 4-2 in favour of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but the numbers barely capture the volatility of a fixture that has delivered a different storyline every single time.
What makes the RCB-LSG rivalry compelling is the context in which it emerged. Lucknow Super Giants entered the IPL in 2022 as one of two new franchises, and their very first season pitted them against RCB in a high-stakes Eliminator at Eden Gardens. From that baptism of fire, every subsequent meeting has carried a sense of unfinished business — the newer franchise trying to prove it belongs, the established one asserting its seniority.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Metric | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Lucknow Super Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Matches won | 4 | 2 |
| Win percentage | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| Total meetings | 6 | 6 |
| Biggest victory margin (runs) | 18 runs (2022, 2023) | 28 runs (2024) |
| Biggest victory margin (wickets) | 6 wickets (2025) | 1 wicket (2023) |
| Playoff meetings | 1 (Eliminator 2022) | 0 wins in playoffs |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 66.7% win rate against Lucknow Super Giants is among the strongest conversion rates RCB hold against any franchise in the IPL. Of their 4 victories, 2 came by 18 runs — an oddly specific margin that bookends the 2022 league stage meeting and the 2023 away win in Lucknow.
Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 May 2025 | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 6 wickets | JM Sharma |
| 2 Apr 2024 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Lucknow Super Giants | 28 runs | MP Yadav |
| 1 May 2023 | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 18 runs | F du Plessis |
| 10 Apr 2023 | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Lucknow Super Giants | 1 wicket | N Pooran |
| 25 May 2022 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 14 runs | RM Patidar |
The pattern is striking: Lucknow Super Giants have won both their victories at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru — RCB's own fortress. Meanwhile, RCB have won both matches played at Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium, turning the away-game narrative on its head. The neutral venue encounter — the 2022 Eliminator at Eden Gardens — also fell RCB's way.
Defining Moments
The 28-Run Blowout — Chinnaswamy, 2 April 2024
Lucknow Super Giants produced their most dominant performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 15 of IPL 2024. Visiting RCB's home ground, LSG posted a commanding total and then restricted the hosts to a margin of 28 runs — the largest victory by either side in this fixture. Mayank Yadav's devastating pace earned him the Player of the Match award. The result was emphatic: it was one of the few occasions where RCB looked completely outclassed at Chinnaswamy in this rivalry.
The 1-Wicket Nail-Biter — Chinnaswamy, 10 April 2023
If the 2024 blowout was Lucknow's statement of power, the 2023 Chinnaswamy encounter was their statement of nerve. In Match 15 of IPL 2023, Nicholas Pooran's explosive innings guided LSG to a 1-wicket victory — the closest finish in the history of this fixture. Chasing in Bengaluru is never straightforward, and the single-wicket margin underlined how fine the line between these two sides can be. Pooran took home the Player of the Match honour for his match-winning contribution.
The Eliminator Classic — Eden Gardens, 25 May 2022
The most consequential meeting between these franchises came in the 2022 IPL Eliminator at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. For Lucknow Super Giants, in their debut season, reaching the playoffs was already an achievement. For RCB, the pressure of knockout cricket was a familiar burden. Rajat Patidar rose to the occasion with a match-defining innings that powered RCB to a 14-run victory. That knock remains one of the signature moments of the 2022 IPL season and cemented Patidar's reputation as a big-game player. It was also the first time these two franchises met in a match with genuine elimination stakes — and RCB's composure under pressure proved decisive.
Venue Split
| Venue | Meetings | RCB Wins | LSG Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 1 | 1 | 0 |
The venue split produces one of the most counterintuitive patterns in any IPL head-to-head: Lucknow Super Giants have a perfect record at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium (2 wins from 2), while Royal Challengers Bengaluru are undefeated at Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium (2 wins from 2). Each team wins away and loses at home. The neutral venues — Mumbai's DY Patil and Kolkata's Eden Gardens — both went to RCB, giving them the overall edge despite the home-ground anomaly.
This crossover pattern may reflect batting conditions. The Chinnaswamy's flat pitches and short boundaries have historically favoured teams with pace firepower — which Lucknow possess in abundance. Ekana's slower surfaces may suit RCB's combination of spin variety and wrist-pace.
LSG's Early Years — Finding Their Feet
Lucknow Super Giants entered the IPL in 2022 and immediately showed they could compete against established franchises. Against RCB specifically, LSG won 2 of their first 6 meetings — both at Chinnaswamy. However, the franchise has never beaten Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow across 2 attempts, and their only home-city successes in this fixture came at the opponent's ground.
Between 2022 and 2025, LSG went through significant squad evolution — from KL Rahul's captaincy in their debut season to new leadership structures. Against RCB in particular, LSG's victories have been built on individual brilliance (Pooran's 1-wicket chase in 2023, Mayank Yadav's pace in 2024) rather than sustained team dominance. RCB, by contrast, have won through varied means: Faf du Plessis's batting in Lucknow, Patidar's Eliminator heroics at Eden Gardens, and a 6-wicket chase in 2025.
The Rivalry's Place in IPL History
With only 6 meetings since 2022, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru versus Lucknow Super Giants rivalry is among the newest in the IPL. It lacks the decades-deep narrative of MI-CSK or RCB-KKR. Yet what it lacks in volume, it compensates for with drama — a knockout classic, a 1-wicket finish, and a perfectly inverted venue record that defies conventional home advantage logic. RCB's 4-2 lead is significant but not commanding; 2 more matches would level the series, and LSG's wins have been among the most emphatic in the fixture.
As both franchises continue to compete across future IPL editions, the peculiar away-win pattern, the emerging player rivalries, and the memory of that 2022 Eliminator will ensure this fixture carries weight every time it appears on the schedule. Six meetings in — and the best chapters of this rivalry are likely still unwritten.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the head-to-head record between RCB and LSG in the IPL?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead the head-to-head 4-2 against Lucknow Super Giants across 6 IPL meetings played between 2022 and 2025. RCB have won on 4 occasions while LSG have won twice.
What was the biggest victory in RCB vs LSG matches?
The biggest victory margin came in IPL 2024, when Lucknow Super Giants defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 28 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Mayank Yadav was named Player of the Match for his pace bowling performance.
What was the closest match between RCB and LSG?
The closest encounter was Match 15 of IPL 2023 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Lucknow Super Giants scraped home by just 1 wicket. Nicholas Pooran's innings was decisive in guiding LSG to the narrowest possible victory in a run chase.
Have RCB and LSG met in the IPL playoffs?
Yes. The two teams met in the 2022 IPL Eliminator at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 14 runs, with Rajat Patidar earning the Player of the Match award for his match-defining knock.
Which is the most common venue for RCB vs LSG matches?
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow have each hosted 2 of the 6 meetings. Interestingly, the away team has won all 4 of those matches — LSG are unbeaten at Chinnaswamy (2 from 2) and RCB are unbeaten at Ekana (2 from 2).
How many IPL titles do RCB and LSG have?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their maiden IPL title in 2025, ending an 18-season wait. Lucknow Super Giants, who entered the league in 2022, have not yet won the tournament. LSG reached the playoffs in their debut season (2022) but were eliminated by RCB in the Eliminator.
Where can I watch RCB vs LSG matches live?
All IPL matches, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru versus Lucknow Super Giants fixtures, are broadcast live on JioStar across all IPL seasons. Digital streaming is available on JioCinema in India.