Tue May 27 17:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text, keeping in mind that the article is dated May 27, 2025.
**PANT’S BLISTERING CENTURY POWERS LUCKNOW TO HUGE TOTAL AGAINST RCB**
**Lucknow, May 27, 2025** – In a crucial final league stage match of the 18th edition of the IPL, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have set a daunting target of 228 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Captain Rishabh Pant led the charge with a magnificent century, his first in seven years, propelling LSG to a formidable total.
Pant, who has faced criticism for his form this season, silenced his detractors with a blistering innings, reaching his half-century in just 29 balls and completing his century off 54 balls at a strike rate of 185.19. His knock included a scintillating display of power hitting, featuring 6 sixes and 10 fours. This is Pant’s second IPL century, matching Rohit Sharma’s record.
With this century, Pant, who was acquired by Lucknow for a staggering INR 27 Crores, has also become the most expensive player in IPL history to score a century, surpassing Heinrich Klaasen, who was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 23 Crores.
For RCB, this is a must-win game to secure a top-two finish and a place in Qualifier 1, giving them an extra chance to reach the final. Whether RCB can chase down the imposing target remains to be seen, making this a highly anticipated encounter.
First Piper 