IPL 2026: Is Virat Kohli playing in RCB vs LSG Match 23?

With Virat Kohli not opting to take the field during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's previous clash against Mumbai Indians due to an ankle injury, a lot of fans of the star cricketer are wondering if he took the field in the ongoing clash versus Lucknow Super Giants in Match 23 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

RCB vs LSG: Toss Update

Lucknow Super Giants had to bat first, as RCB skipper Rajat Patidar confirmed his side's decision to field first. LSG came into this contest unchanged. On the other hand, the Bengaluru-based franchise made one big change to their line-up.

RCB vs LSG: Hazlewood comes in; no changes for visitors

Much to the relief of fans, Josh Hazlewood came back into the squad, replacing Jacob Duffy. To add to the delight, Virat Kohli also seems to have recovered fully from his ankle pain, and will be taking part into this contest, and is expected to open the innings when RCB come out to chase the target set by the Rishabh Pant-led side. To avoid any further risk, he will not be taking the field in the first innings, and will be coming in to bat as the Impact Player for today's game.

RCB vs LSG: Predicted Playing XI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar

Lucknow Super Giants

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav

Impact Substitutes: Manimaran Siddharth, George Linde, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Mayank Yadav

RCB vs LSG - What did the captains say?

Rajat Patidar, RCB captain, said

We're gonna bowl first. It's pretty obvious. I see a pretty good surface. So, we bowl first and take the advantage of the first innings and keep the pressure. Not much (on the pitch). The previous game was having a lot of grass. But I think this wicket, there is no grass. So, it will be a good track. But yeah, let's see. I think everyone is doing pretty much good for the team (on the necessary improvements). And coming on the different stage and performing for the team. I think that's what the team stand for us. Just one change. Josh Hazlewood comes in place of Duffy.

Rishabh Pant, LSG captain, said

(On batting first) Pretty confident. It's a good wicket to bat on. Because in wickets like this, you can bat first or bowl first. Eventually, you've got to play a better cricket. We feel as a group, we've got to regroup, come together and take ownership of whatever role we are playing as a team. And it's easier, in every match, we don't want to introspect how we are playing cricket. We just want to trust in the group. And hopefully, people will put their hand up and say, I'm going to win the match for the team. Definitely, you know, we talk about being leaders. And there are a lot of leaders in the group. Eventually, you've got to go out there and perform at the same time, soak in that pressure for the team and try to do well. We're playing with the same team.