Limping Rishabh Pant walks over to gift a fan something special

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will tread carefully in their final league-stage clash against the unpredictable Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday, as they chase a coveted top-two finish in IPL 2025.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be eager to end a disappointing campaign on a high note.Back-to-back defeats for Gujarat Titans have opened the door for third-placed RCB to break into the top two — a feat they haven’t achieved since 2016.

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Finishing in the top two offers a crucial advantage: a direct entry into Qualifier 1, with the winner moving straight to the final, and the loser getting another shot in Qualifier 2 against the Eliminator winner.In the build-up to the match, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant was seen limping with his knee strapped. Despite the discomfort, he made a heartwarming gesture, signing a ball for a young fan while visibly in pain.

Monday’s result saw Mumbai Indians lose to Punjab Kings, sealing Punjab’s place in Qualifier 1. As a result, Mumbai Indians will now play the Eliminator.RCB, who have already secured a playoff spot, can jump to the top two if they defeat LSG.

Before the league’s 10-day break due to the India-Pakistan military conflict, RCB were in red-hot form, riding a four-match winning streak.

However, the pause seems to have derailed their momentum. Since the restart, they’ve had one match washed out and suffered a 42-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their last win came on May 3, and signs of rust were visible in their recent outings.