RCB Skipper Rajat Patidar Chooses to Bowl First Against LSG in IPL Clash

In a pivotal IPL match, RCB's captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first against LSG, who are fighting for playoff survival. With both teams making strategic adjustments, the match promises to be thrilling. RCB returns refreshed after a break, while LSG must secure a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Read on for insights from the captains and the playing XI for both teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 7, 2026, 20:17 IST

Match Overview

In an exciting Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Thursday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and decided to field first against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow.

RCB comes into this match rejuvenated after a week-long break, while LSG is facing a critical moment in their season, teetering on the edge of elimination.

Playoff Implications

For the Lucknow Super Giants, securing a victory is essential to maintain their chances of reaching the playoffs. A loss would nearly extinguish their hopes of advancing.

Captain Insights

"We will bowl first. Although it's not as noisy as Chinnaswamy, the atmosphere is still vibrant. The pitch appears favorable, and our goal is to limit their score," Rajat Patidar commented during the toss.

"We have made a few adjustments due to injuries, with Inglis and Mohsin Khan unable to play. It's crucial to maintain clarity in our strategy. We recognize our potential as a top team, but clarity is key. We have tweaked our batting order, and while stability is important, adjustments are sometimes necessary. The pitch looks like it could yield scores between 180-190, which is better than many previous matches," LSG captain Rishabh Pant stated.

Team Lineups

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Josh Hazlewood.

RCB Impact Subs: Jordan Cox, Tim David, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Venkatesh Iyer.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh, Arshin Kulkarni, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Akshat Raghuwanshi, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav.

LSG Impact Subs: Mayank Yadav, Mukul Choudhary, Abdul Samad, Manimaran Siddharth, Avesh Khan.