Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and chose to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2026 clash at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. RCB captain Rajat Patidar decided to chase, keeping faith in the same playing XI for this important fixture.
RCB remained unchanged, with Jacob Bethell continuing as opener alongside Virat Kohli in the absence of Phil Salt. Salt has returned home for scans on his injured finger, though he could still rejoin the squad later in the tournament if recovery goes well.
Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, were forced into three changes due to injuries and team balance. Arshin Kulkarni came into the side and will open the batting for LSG for the first time this season, replacing the injured Josh Inglis. Digvesh Rathi also returned to the XI, while Shahbaz Ahmed was included to strengthen the spin-bowling all-round option.
LSG left out fast bowlers Mohsin Khan and Avesh Khan from the starting XI, with Avesh named among the Impact Player options. Their batting order will be led by Mitch Marsh and Arshin Kulkarni, followed by Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram and captain Rishabh Pant.
Pant described the surface as a “180-190 wicket” and felt the red-soil pitch looked better than some of the previous surfaces used at the venue. He also admitted that LSG needed clarity and a stable environment, while still being open to changes when required.
The match carries major importance for both sides. A victory for RCB could take them to the top of the points table, while LSG, currently struggling near the bottom, desperately need a win to keep their campaign alive. With RCB’s settled combination facing LSG’s reshuffled XI, the contest promises an interesting battle in Lucknow.
