Faf du Plessis, with the bat, and Josh Hazlewood, with the ball, played stellar roles for Royal Challengers Bangalore who defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday night to zoom to the second spot on the 10-team table with 10 points in hand.

Du Plessis batted with a lot of composure in making 96, his highest score this season having made 88 in the season opener against Punjab Kings here, in 64 balls. He struck two sixes and 11 fours.