LSG vs RCB, IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are battling for survival as they will lock horns against a strong Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at their home venue of Ekana International Cricket Stadium on May 7, Thursday. While the Royal Challengers had also lost their previous game, they are in a much comfortable position, unlike the Super Giants, who are likely on the brink of elimination even if they win tonight. With the impact player rule that was introduced in the 2024 edition and changing the face of IPL it will yet again be in focus on Thursday. The likes of Rasikh Dar, George Linde and Digvesh Rathi could be in the mix.
LSG vs RCB Impact players for today’s IPL match
3) Rasikh Salam Dar for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have slotted in Rasikh Salam Dar as an impact player on plenty of occasions and the right-arm seamer has been quite effective, especially with his change-ups, headlined by his six wickets in five games at 22.66 alongside a good economy rate of 8.58. While the surface at Ekana Stadium favours spin, Dar could still be useful for his change-ups.
2) George Linde for Lucknow Super Giants
George Linde was roped in by the Super Giants as Wanindu Hasaranga’s injury replacement but the South African all-rounder has fared poorly. In three games, Linde has only managed one wicket at 55 apiece. But if there’s a venue that the left-arm spinner can find success, it is at the Ekana Stadium.
1) Digvesh Rathi for Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants’ fiesty spinner Digvesh Rathi announced himself in IPL 2025 with some incisive bowling, contentious celebrations and on-field confrontations with oppositions. While Rathi has dialed down his aggressiveness, the wrist-spinner’s returns have diminished too. In 6 matches, he has managed only three scalps at 75 but LSG could well bring him as an impact sub to have an extra spin option.
LSG vs RCB – IPL 2026, probable XIs
Lucknow Super Giants XI: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Akshat Raghuwanshi/Shahbaz Ahmed, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav. (Impact subs: Manimaran Siddharth, Abdul Samad, Mayank Yadav, George Linde)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood. (Impact subs: Rasikh Salam Dar, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer).
