IPL: Bowlers do the job as RCB defend 126 to go fifth
Royal Challengers Bangalore 126 for 9 (du Plessis 44, Kohli 31, Naveen 3-30) beat Lucknow Super Giants 108 (Gowtham 23, Hazlewood 2-15, Karn 2-20) by 18 runs
Captain Faf Du Plessis and fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood starred for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in an 18-run win over the Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League (IPL) fixture in Lucknow on Monday.
Du Plessis made a top-score of 44 while Virat Kohli made 31 as RCB struggled to 126-9 off their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq led the way with the ball for the hosts with 3-30 from his four overs while leg-spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Amit Mishra took a pair of wickets, each.
The Lucknow chase was made even more difficult when captain KL Rahul was forced off the field with a thigh injury.
In the end, the Super Giants were bowled out for a lowly 108 in 19.5 overs.
Hazlewood made his return to the RCB side with 2-15 from his three overs while Karn Sharma finished with 2-20 from four overs.
RCB is now fifth in the table with 10 points from nine games. (SportsMax)