with Virat Kohli After opting not to take the field during Royal Challengers Bangalore's previous clash against Mumbai Indians due to an ankle injury, many of the star cricketer's fans are wondering if he would take the field in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants in Match 23.
RCB vs LSG: Toss Update
Lucknow Super Giants got to bat first as RCB captain Rajat Patidar confirmed his side's decision to field first. LSG came into this competition unchanged. On the other hand, the Bengaluru-based franchise made a major change in its line-up.
RCB vs LSG: Hazlewood comes in; No changes for visitors
It is a big relief for the fans that Josh Hazlewood is back in the team in place of Jacob Duffy. To add to the joy, it seems that Virat Kohli has also fully recovered from his ankle pain, and will be taking part in this contest, and is expected to open the innings when RCB comes out to chase the target set by the Rishabh Pant-led side. To avoid any further risk, he will not take the field in the first innings, and will come to bat as an impact player for today's game.
RCB vs LSG: Predicted Playing XI
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyyash Sharma, Rasikh Salaam Dar.
Effect Options: Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Kanishk Chauhan, Mangesh Yadav
Lucknow Super Giants
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Chaudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav.
Effect Options: Manimaran Siddharth, George Linde, Matthew Britzke, Himmat Singh, Mayank Yadav
RCB vs LSG – What did the captains say?
RCB captain Rajat Patidar said
We will bowl first. This is absolutely clear. I see a very good surface. So, we bowl first and take advantage of the first innings and maintain the pressure. Not much (on the pitch). There was a lot of grass in the last game. But I think there is no grass on this wicket. So, it will be a good track. But yes, let's see. I think everyone is doing very well for the team (on the necessary improvements). And coming on different stages and performing for the team. I think the team feels the same way for us. Just a change. Josh Hazlewood has been included in place of Duffy.
LSG captain Rishabh Pant said
Very confident (on batting first). This is a good wicket for batting. Because in such wickets you can bat first or bowl first. Ultimately, you have to play better cricket. We feel as a group, we have to regroup, come together and take ownership of whatever role we are playing as a team. And it's simple, in every match, we don't want to introspect how we are playing cricket. We just want to trust the group. And hopefully, people will raise their hands and say, I'm going to win games for the team. Sure, you know, we talk about being a leader. And there are a lot of leaders in the group. Ultimately, you have to go out there and perform at the same time, bear that pressure for the team and try to perform well. We are playing with the same team.
Get every cricket update! Follow us: :
Leave a Reply