🏏IPL 2026: RCB vs LSG, 23rd Match,Bengalaru 15 Apr 7:30pm IST🏏

🏏IPL 2026: LSG vs RCB, 23rd Match, at M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru on 15/04/2026 @7:30PM IST🏏

It has been a difficult journey so far for the Lucknow Super Giants who have lost as many as they have won. And as the results indicate, they are also contending with middling form of key players, especially the overseas ones, who have not come to the party as yet. But heroes from unlikely quarters, such as Mukul Choudhary, have also given them reasons to rejoice. And on paper, they still command a threat that will not allow Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take them lightly.

But for all that to fall in place they would need the likes of Mitchell Marsh (75 runs; Ave:18.75) and Nicholas Pooran (41 runs; Ave 10.25) to step it up significantly. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has proved to be a place where runs can be scored with a bit of application and targeted hitting. Against an in-form RCB, LSG will be desperate to play to the potential that's there on paper. The happier front has been the bowling department, led by Mohammed Shami, which has given them a lot more to cheer about. Adding to that cheer would be the news that their pace bowling could be further strengthened.

Tom Moody, Global Head of Cricket at LSG, made it clear that both Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are closer to full fitness and could be available as early as the RCB game which could only add to their strength especially on a surface that has tended to assist the pacers that hit the hard lengths. And that's an area that the defending champions have cornered more effectively than their opponents so far at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With that, they have set the tone early in the season, winning three of their four outings so far, and resemble a well-oiled unit where every piece knows and plays its part.

Leading the way and really embodying the step-up is the captain Rajat Patidar, who has started the season phenomenally well. In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz before the start of the season, Patidar had hinted that he preferred playing against pace rather than spin as is the popular perception about him. True to his words, Patidar has 129 runs off 59 balls against pace in this season, and undermining tactics that come with the popular perception. With each of their batters creating an impact at some point this season, the bowling is where RCB's focus would shift deeper into the season. Although still minute, there have been some cracks that could be exploited - RCB has the second-poorest economy rate of the season only behind Kolkata Knight Riders. Particularly, their death bowling, barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been below-par, going at 12.75 an over.

It'll be up to LSG to find a way and widen the cracks and derail the RCB juggernaut.

When: April 15, 2026 at 07:30 PM IST

Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

What to expect: The Chinnaswamy pitch, so far, has played true to its reputation. Big scores are possible, but there is also something for the bowlers - especially the tall, fast ones - to exploit. Chasing teams have found it easier largely with four of the last seven games across the last two seasons being won by chasing sides.

Head to Head: RCB lead 4-2 overall, but have lost both at Chinnaswamy.

Team Watch:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

Injuries/Unavailability: Virat Kohli, who did not field in their previous outing against Mumbai with a suspected leg issue, seemed better off in the practice session on the eve of the game. Although he had his left leg strapped up, Kohli went through a routine 45-minute batting session without any pressing discomfort, which should augur well for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, the status of Josh Hazlewood remains unknown. The pacer has played only one game so far in the season and didn't practise a day before the match.

Tactics and match-ups: Mohammed Shami vs Phil Salt and Virat Kohli could be one to look out for early in the RCB batting innings. On a pitch that provides early assistance for pacers, this could be a spicy contest against RCB's in-form top order. Shami has also got Kohli out five times in 12 innings!

Probable XII: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy/Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Lucknow Super Giants

Injuries/Unavailability: The potential availability of Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav - both returning from injuries - could provide a happy headache for LSG.

Tactics and match-ups: Krunal Pandya has dismissed both Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant thrice in the IPL. RCB could toy with the option of introducing him early if there is a partnership brewing in the top order.

Probable XII: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde/Anrich Nortje, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan/Mohsin Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav/Mayank Yadav

Did you know?

- Rishabh Pant has four fifties and a hundred at a stike-rate of 159 against RCB in the IPL

- Since IPL 2024, Rajat Patidar has eight fifties at a strike-rate of over 170 at the No. 4 position

- RCB have scored 200-plus in all four games in IPL 2026, but the opponents have also returned the favour in each of them.

In the spotlight

With 195 runs at a strike rate of 214.28, Rajat Patidar has emerged as the driving force for RCB in the middle overs. At one stage against MI, he was on 44 off 11 balls. He's striking at more than 200 against both spin and pace this season, making him extremely difficult to plan for, and is the joint highest six-hitter (18) along with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Patidar's surge in the IPL has sparked whispers of higher honours, and if he can sustain this tempo that debate will only get louder.

Rajat Patidar is striking at more than 200 against spin and pace•BCCI

Bowling at full tilt this season, Mohammed Shami has proved a challenge with the new ball when batters are scoring faster than ever before in the powerplay. While the wickets haven't come - he only has three in the powerplay - he has exerted control. His economy rate in that phase is only 6.1 and Tom Moody, LSG's global director of cricket, couldn't be happier with where he's at.

Stats and trivia

• RCB are on a four-match winning streak at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The last time they won five in a row at home was in 2013.

• Kohli is two short of 300 sixes in the IPL. He has the third most sixes in the tournament after Chris Gayle (357) and Rohit Sharma (310).

• LSG have only one half-century partnership so far this season, in their win against KKR at Eden Gardens, where Mukul Choudhary hit 52 of the 54-run stand with Avesh Khan.

Pitch and conditions

The match will be played on the surface on which CSK fell 43 short of RCB's 250. Expect another belter. Dew wasn't a factor in the first two games at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but there was a fair bit on match eve. The ground staff are aiming to limit its impact on the game by using the anti-dew spray.

Quotes

"He looks fit and strong. He's got great wisdom, good leadership characteristics and he's bringing all that to the table for us. What makes him good is his durability, his ability to swing the ball early and his pace is up there. He's bowling high 130s, which is as good as it has been throughout his career. It's a credit to him that he's in that condition." Tom Moody on Mohammed Shami

What they said:

Tomorrow night is a great opportunity for all our batters that haven't had the consistency of the start of the season they'd like to really be able to lock in on a good surface, small ground and have an impact. I'm hopeful that one, if not more, of our top order will help take us to those totals, whether it be the first or the second innings - Tom Moody,Global Director of Cricket, LSG