RCB aim to bounce back strongly as LSG battle poor form ahead
Bengaluru
Second-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to rediscover their batting fluency when they take on bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial reverse fixture of the Indian Premier League 2026 on Thursday.
With five teams tied on 12 points, the playoff race has intensified, making every game pivotal. RCB enter the contest after a disappointing four-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans, where a dramatic middle-order collapse saw them slump from 79 for 2 to 96 for 6, eventually folding for 155.
Despite that setback, RCB’s batting has been one of their strengths this season. Virat Kohli has led the charge with 379 runs, while Devdutt Padikkal and skipper Rajat Patidar have chipped in with valuable contributions. With Phil Salt sidelined due to injury, young Jacob Bethell will be expected to provide aggressive starts alongside Kohli.
RCB will also benefit from a week’s break, entering the clash fresher than their opponents. Their bowling unit remains a formidable force, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who have consistently delivered impactful spells. The duo notably dismantled Delhi Capitals for just 75 earlier in the tournament. Krunal Pandya has also impressed with his variations, while Suyash Sharma and Romario Shepherd add depth.
In contrast, LSG’s campaign has unravelled, with five losses in their last six matches leaving them at the bottom of the table. Led by Rishabh Pant, the side has struggled with inconsistency and frequent batting-order changes. Key players including Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran have failed to deliver consistently.
LSG’s bowling has shown flashes of promise, with Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan leading the wicket charts, but death-over struggles have hurt them badly.
Having already defeated LSG by five wickets earlier this season, RCB will take confidence into the clash. With momentum, form and playoff stakes on the line, the contest promises to be a high-pressure encounter under lights, starting at 7:30 pm IST.