Virat Kohli, Rasikh Salam Ruled Out? RCB Strongest Playing XI vs LSG for IPL 2026, Match 23

RCB Strongest Playing XI vs LSG. Credits - AP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) thrashed the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, a couple of days ago, returning to winning ways. On Wednesday, the reigning champions will take on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium.

In their previous game, Phil Salt (78 off 36) and Rajat Patidar (53 in 20 balls) were the stars of the show vs MI, as they put on a gigantic total of 240/4 on the board. Later, the bowlers did a fine job, courtesy of a Krunal Pandya special (1 for 26 in four overs) as they won by 18 runs.

Despite Sherfane Rutherford blasted an unbeaten 71 off 31 deliveries, RCB bagged an emphatic victory. However, they might make a couple of changes to their bowling, considering Rasikh Salam's injury.

Ahead of their next clash, let us see how the RCB Playing XI vs LSG might look in the much-awaited IPL 2026 clash.

RCB Playing XI vs LSG, IPL 2026, Match 23

Top Order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal

Will Virat Kohli play vs LSG after his ankle injury?

Virat Kohli returned with a 38-ball half-century vs MI, before getting out to Hardik Pandya. It was later understood that the star batter had a high fever on the previous game's eve and struggled with his ankle and hamstring in Mumbai. As he didn't field in the last game, there have been various speculations over Virat Kohli's participation vs LSG, but Rajat Paditar had clarified that VK will be fine ahead of LSG vs RCB fixture.

Phil Salt was at his prime best against the Hardik Pandya-led side, as he blasted a 36-ball 78, stitching a remarkable 120-run opening stand with VK. There is no question about the Englishman's place in the RCB Playing XI.

Although Devdutt Padikkal couldn't bat vs MI, he will surely be a part of the RCB Playing XI vs LSG.

Middle Order & All-Rounders: Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya

Rajat Patidar hammered a 17-ball half-century in the last game, and he was well and truly looking to break Yuvraj Singh’s grand record at one moment. Even though he couldn’t, the RCB skipper decorated his knock with four boundaries and five maximums. He will be the most dangerous middle-order batter for LSG to tackle.

Tim David could only face 16 balls, but the burly hitter scored 34 runs in them. That’s Tim David for you. Combined with Romario Shepherd, the RCB Playing XI has two of the most terrorising finishers who can score runs at any given rate. RCB team management will have to use Romario Shepherd, the bowler, more often.

Although Jitesh Sharma hasn’t done much with the bat this season, he will again be a key member of the RCB Playing XI vs LSG. The keeper-batter is just one knock away from winning his team a much-needed game, as he did against the same opposition last year.

Krunal Pandya’s batting may have come to use as of yet, but he has been the biggest match-winner in bowling in the RCB Playing XI. Given the number of right-handers LSG have, the left-hander will be key in all phases of the innings.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

With four wickets in four games, the stats don’t justify what Bhuvneshwar Kumar is bringing to the table. The champion paceman has been the constant go-to bowler for skipper Rajat Patidar, with the ongoing toss-up between Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy.

Duffy played over Hazlewood in the MI match, but the Kiwi was smacked in all corners. Although there was no official word on why the Aussie was dropped after RR vs RCB, he is likely to return in the RCB Playing XI vs LSG.

Suyash Sharma turned the tables around with a single over vs MI, where he had Ryan Rickelton and Tilak Varma. He will again be an important member of this RCB bowling unit.

Rasikh Salam bowled an impressive 2.5-over spell, despite struggling with a calf injury. Even though the gritty might have recovered for the LSG vs RCB, the team management won’t take any risks. Thus, the promising left-armer Mangesh Yadav might get used as the Impact Player option in the RCB Playing XI vs LSG.

RCB Predicted Playing XI vs LSG- Match 23, IPL 2026

Virat Kohli
Phil Salt
Devdutt Padikkal
Rajat Patidar (c)
Jitesh Sharma (wk)
Tim David
Sherfane Rutherford
Krunal Pandya
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Josh Hazlewood
Suyash Sharma