Nicholas Pooran OUT? LSG Predicted Playing XI vs RCB- IPL 2026, Match 23

LSG predicted XI vs RCB [Source: AFP]

The Lucknow Super Giants will face the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on April 15 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, at 7:30 PM.

So far in IPL 2026, both teams have played four matches each, where RCB have emerged victorious in three games, losing one. On the other hand, LSG have won two and lost two of their four matches.

The host, RCB are currently placed third in the table and could go to the top if they manage a win over LSG, while LSG can go as high as number 3, in case of a big win after a topsy-turvy start to the season.

For the Super Giants, Rishabh Pant has regained some of his form after promoting himself up the order in IPL 2026; however, the highlight of their two wins has been the bowling attacks, who have bowled at miserly economy rates and impressed everyone.

As they visit the Chinnaswamy Stadium, here’s a look at their likely playing XI for the clash.

LSG Likely XI vs RCB- IPL 2026, Match 23

Top Order: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markam, Rishabh Pant (c)(wk)

The Lucknow Super Giants' top-order has been set since the beginning of the season, with the proven pair of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh opening the innings and captain Rishabh Pant batting at 3. Markram has been their best batter so far, with 108 runs in 4 innings, at 152.11, while his partner, Marsh, is in search of form with only 75 runs at 136.36.

Rishabh Pant has started IPL 2026 steadily, with his newfound position at 3. He is just behind Markram with 103 runs, including a match-winning 68* vs SRH. He has scored at a strike rate of 130.37, which he would like to improve.

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Middle Order: Matthew Breetzke, Ayush Badoni, Akshat Raghuvanshi, Mukul Choudhary

Nicholas Pooran has only scored 41 runs in 4 innings at 85.41, and it would work out well for the team and the player to take a break and give chances to Matthew Breetzk. He scored a match-winning 68*(49) from a losing position in the SA20 final.

Ayush Badoni will retain his spot after a fifty to his name in the tournament already, alongside the fiery Mukul Choudhary, who single-handedly won LSG a match against KKR. He has 88 runs at 154.38 in the tournament.

Another change, which could be seen happening, is Abdul Samad getting replaced by a young Akshat Raghuwanshi, who lit the MP T20 League on fire in 2025, with 239 runs in 4 innings at 177.04. So far in IPL 2026, Samad has only scored 72 runs at an underwhelming strike rate of 114.28.

Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav

The leader of the bowling line-up will be Mohammed Shami, after his 4 wickets in 4 matches, including a 2/9 (4). He has conceded only 6.25 runs per over. He will be followed by Avesh Khan, who has picked 3 wickets in 3 innings, but would like to improve on his 10.40 economy rate ideally.

Their x-factor leg-spinner, Digvesh Rathi, will be the lead spinner of the attack after picking 3 wickets at an economy rate of 8.50 in three matches. He could be paired with either M Siddharth or George Linde, according to the team's requirements as impact players.

The impressive Prince Yadav, who has caught the attention of the experts and fans with his variations and disciplined lines, will cap off the playing XI. He is their leading wicket-taker with 6 scalps in 4 innings with the best figures of 2/20 so far.

LSG Playing XI vs RCB- Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markam, Rishabh Pant (c)(wk), Matthew Breetzke, Ayush Badoni, Akshat Raghuvanshi, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav