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. As far as injury and availability news goes, the likes of Phil Salt and Matthew Breetzke are in focus.
We look at some of the key players and their availability for LSG vs RCB IPL 2026 clash
3) Phil Salt – not playing today
According to the latest update, England and RCB opener Phil Salt has flown home, rendering him unavailable for likely for the remainder of the tournament. The right-handed batter has sustained a finger injury and last played in the game against the Delhi Capitals at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, scoring 63. With the business end of the 10-team tournament fast approaching, it is highly unlikely for Salt to be available.
2) Matthew Breetzke – not playing today
Matthew Breetzke, who has been with the Super Giants for two seasons now, hasn’t played a game. The South African batter has flown home for personal reasons, making himself unavailable for the remainder of the tournament. But LSG have got a highly capable batter in Josh Inglis, who opened the innings against the Mumbai Indians and got their side off to a promising start.
1) Rishabh Pant – playing today
Not only is Rishabh Pant’s captaincy but also his performances with the bat has been as much a big talking point in IPL 2026. Since his measured 68* against the SunRisers Hyderabad that came in a match-winning cause, Pant’s highest score is 43 and has struggled to get the Super Giants with the much-required momentum, especially in the middle overs. With his captaincy, yielding only two wins for LSG out of nine games for LSG, there have been rumours about him being sacked from captaincy. But the Super Giants are highly unlikely to take such a kneejerk decision and Pant is all set to play today.
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.
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.
LSG vs RCB – Head to Head
Played – 7
LSG won – 2
RCB – 5
The two sides had also locked horns against one another earlier in the tournament and the Royal Challengers registered a comfortable five-wicket victory.
