Virat Kohli, IPL 2026 (AFP)
The toss update is out, and so are the team sheets for the RCB vs LSG IPL match today. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain won the toss and chose to bowl first.
However, what caught everyone’s eye was the absence of Indian legend Virat Kohli from the RCB playing 11 against Lucknow Super Giants at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Is Virat Kohli not playing today IPL match?
Notably, for the first time in the history of the IPL, the legendary Virat Kohli has not been named in the first playing 11; instead, he will play as an impact player for the RCB.
Most likely, Kohli has been moved to the Impact players list as a precautionary measure after the batter suffered a potential ankle injury in RCB’s previous fixture against Mumbai Indians.
Also read: Rohit Sharma To Miss IPL 2026 Matches; Ruled Out Of These Mumbai Indians Games
Adding salt to the injury, it was further confirmed that Kohli was also suffering from a fever, and thus, didn’t take the field in the 2nd innings. Even during the training session on the eve of the RCB vs LSG contest, his left leg was heavily strapped.
Here’s how the RCB playing 11 looks like vs LSG
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam, Josh Hazlewood
Impact players: Virat Kohli, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Kanishk Chouhan
When was the last time Virat Kohli missed an IPL match due to an injury?
Touted as one of the fittest cricketers in the world, Kohli has raised the fitness standards of the Indian Cricket Team ever since he took over the leadership duties in 2015.
However, despite his constant efforts to be match-ready through rigorous recovery sessions, Kohli has had his fair share of injuries that have forced him to miss matches.
The last time Virat Kohli missed out on playing 11 in the IPL was back in 2017. After sustaining a shoulder injury in a Test match against Australia at home, he was ruled out for the first few weeks of the season.
How has IPL 2026 panned out for Kohli so far?
The former RCB captain, Virat Kohli, has started the IPL 2026 strongly, scoring 179 runs in four innings at an average of 59.67 and a strike rate of 162.73. So far, he has recorded two fifties, including a 50 against Mumbai Indians.
In the high-octane game, Kohli also surpassed Babar Azam for the most century partnerships in T20 cricket, with 47 such instances to his name.
Meanwhile, under Rajat Patidar’s astute captaincy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also made a strong start to their title defence in IPL 2026, winning three of their first four matches to sit third on the points table.
Follow RCB vs LSG Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash
