Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants pacer Prince Yadav produced the moment of the night in Lucknow after dismissing Virat Kohli with a stunning nip-backer — a wicket that, remarkably, came from advice given by the RCB superstar himself.In a rain-hit IPL 2026 clash reduced to 19 overs per side, LSG kept their playoff hopes alive with a tense nine-run DLS victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. While Mitchell Marsh’s explosive century powered LSG to a daunting 209/3, it was Prince’s fiery spell of 3/33 that ultimately sealed the contest.
The 24-year-old pacer grabbed headlines after castling Kohli with just his second ball of the innings. After beginning with an outswinger, Prince followed it up with a sharp 140.4 kmph delivery that jagged back viciously through Kohli’s defence and crashed into the stumps.Prince later revealed that the wicket was inspired by a conversation with Kohli himself after the previous match.“I misfielded the first ball, but I knew I had to put it behind me and ensure I don’t lose focus,” Prince said after the match.“After the last match I was talking to Virat bhaiya and he only told me — as long as it’s moving around off a length, stick to that length,” he added while speaking about the dismissal.Prince punched the air in delight after removing one of the biggest names in world cricket for a duck — Kohli’s first IPL duck since April 2023.
Marsh’s century powers LSG revival
Earlier, Marsh unleashed complete destruction on the RCB bowling attack with a sensational 111 off 56 balls, smashing nine fours and nine sixes in a breathtaking display of power-hitting.With LSG desperate to end a six-match losing streak and register their first home win of the season, Marsh tore into Josh Hazlewood and the rest of the attack from the outset. He raced to his fastest IPL fifty in just 20 balls as LSG stormed to 95/0 in nine overs before rain briefly interrupted play.Marsh added a 95-run opening stand with Arshin Kulkarni and another rapid partnership with Nicholas Pooran before skipper Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 32 off 10 deliveries provided the finishing touches.Chasing a revised target of 213, RCB slipped to 9/2 after Shami removed Jacob Bethell and Prince dismissed Kohli.Rajat Patidar’s aggressive 61 and Devdutt Padikkal’s 34 revived hopes through a 95-run partnership, but Prince returned to break the chase open again by dismissing Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma in the same spell.Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd launched a late assault, but Digvesh Rathi defended 20 runs in the final over to hand LSG a crucial victory and keep their playoff dreams alive.
