Last Updated on 3 days ago by Charbel Coorey

The impressive Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 23rd match of IPL 2026.

RCB won their first two games, then lost against the Rajasthan Royals before storming back against the Mumbai Indians (by 18 runs) in their last game. They are third in the table. Phil Salt (78 runs), Rajat Patidar (53 runs), and Virat Kohli (50 runs) made sure they posted a good total batting first. Tim David (34* runs) also chipped in well. The top five have been in terrific form for the defending champions. Jitesh Sharma’s form is a concern, but the others are making up for him. 

Bowling-wise, they haven’t been at their best, as they’ve conceded big totals as well. Josh Hazlewood played one game and sat out in the last one. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is searching for impact, while Rasikh Dar was very impressive in the last game. Krunal Pandya has bowled exceptionally well, and Suyash Sharma too has assisted him well. Overall, they’ll need the overseas pacers to be consistent, especially in the powerplay.

The Lucknow Super Giants are struggling at the moment. Their power-packed top order is yet to fire. Rishabh Pant has been scratchy, while Nicholas Pooran has looked in all sorts in the four games so far. They have won two games, but they need more consistency from their top four if they are to have a sustained run of form.

Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav have bowled well, but the spin unit hasn’t been up to the mark. Good news for them is that both Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are fully fit and will be available for this game. Both will enjoy bowling at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

IPL 2026 23rd Match: RCB vs LSG Probable Playing XIIs

Josh Hazlewood, if fit, will replace Jacob Duffy. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Virat Kohli, 3. Devdutt Padikkal, 4. Rajat Patidar, 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6. Tim David, 7. Romario Shepherd, 8. Krunal Pandya, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Rasikh Salam Dar, 11. Josh Hazlewood/Jacob Duffy 

Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma

It will be interesting to see how LSG manages to get both Mayank and Mohsin in the XI. They may drop George Linde to accommodate both, but Linde adds to the batting depth, and he’s quality with the ball too.

Lucknow Super Giants: 1. Mitchell Marsh, 2. Aiden Markram, 3. Rishabh Pant (c & wk), 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Ayush Badoni, 6. Abdul Samad, 7. Mukhul Choudhary, 8. George Linde/Mohsin Khan, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Prince Yadav, 11. Divesh Rathi 

Impact Sub: Mayank Yadav

M Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru Pitch Report and Weather

There will be help for the pacers with the new ball, especially in the first 2-3 overs of the innings. After that, the wicket will be a run-fest for the batters. Pacers will get good bounce with the spinners getting little to no help. Overall, the batters will dominate the game. 

The average first innings score here this season has been 225 runs. Teams will prefer chasing, but batting first and putting a big total on the board is not a bad option either.

It will be a clear day in Bengaluru with no chance of rain. The temperature will be about 25 degrees celsius at the start of the game.

Insights that could decide who will win the RCB vs LSG match

Below are some interesting insights that could decide this contest, according to SPODA AI data.

• RCB have a 78% chance of winning if they bat first, lose one wicket in the powerplay, hit 50 runs at the death and finish with 220. Interestingly, the figure is higher for LSG (83%).
• RCB have scored 75, 65, 66, 89 and 61 in the powerplay in their last five matches at the Chinnaswamy.
• Teams lose more wickets in the powerplay batting second at the Chinnaswamy since 2019 (2.12) compared to batting first (1.89).

For more such information, check out SPODA AI below – a platform that can help you create winning fantasy teams. You can even ask a question ChatGPT style.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for RCB vs LSG: Players to Watch/Key Stats

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Top Wicketkeeper Picks:  

• Phil Salt has 151 runs against LSG in three innings at an average of 75.50 and a strike rate of 188.80. He looked in great touch in the last game and will be a top fantasy pick considering he can score big on his day. 
• Rishabh Pant has 539 runs against RCB at an average of 53.90, including four fifties and a hundred. His strike rate is 158.10 in 13 innings. Pant is struggling at the moment, but he will be a must in your fantasy teams. He has a 42.19% chance of making a 30+ score according to SPODA AI predictive analysis.
• Nicholas Pooran will be a key batter for LSG and should come out at 4 in this game, as RCB lacks an off-spinner in their lineup. He will be targeted with the hard length at his body, but he’ll be in for a good day if he can negate that.

Key batter picks: 

• Virat Kohli has 179 runs in four innings at an average of 59.66 at a strike rate of 162.72. He wasn’t at his fluent best in the last game, but he’s a quality batter and will be a no-brainer in your fantasy teams. Virat will be a top C/VC choice as well.
• Rajat Patidar has piled up 195 runs in four games at an average of 65 and strike rate of 214.28 with two fifties. He has the best chance of any batter of making a 30+ score: 50.98% probability according to SPODA AI predictive analysis.
• Mitchell Marsh scored 67 runs when these two sides met last time, but he has struggled against RCB in the IPL – 131 runs in 6 games at an average of 21.80 (SR 123.60). Marsh has made starts but has failed to convert them into big scores.

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Aiden Markram will be a key batter for his side at the top. He will look to exploit the field restrictions and can score big if he gets going. The only issue with Markram for years has been his inconsistency in converting starts into big scores. Despite that, he’ll be a top fantasy pick. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Jacob Duffy (or Josh Hazlewood) will get good movement with the new ball and some good bounce too. Duffy (or Hazlewood) will be used to target LSG’s middle order, especially Pooran with the hard length in the middle order. He will be a key bowler for RCB and a top fantasy pick.
• Hazlewood is considered a 44.07% chance of taking 2+ wickets according to SPODA AI – the highest probability of any bowler in this match.
• Mohsin Khan is expected to play this game, and he’ll be a key bowler for LSG. He will get good assistance in the power play, and he can trouble RCB’s top order. Mohsin can bowl towards the end of the innings as well.

For predictive analysis that could help guide you in creating your fantasy cricket teams, check out SPODA AI (AI Cricket Prediction & Match Analysis Tool) below. If you sign up, you will receive 3 FREE match passes to start.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Devdutt Padikkal
• Prince Yadav
• Mayank Yadav (if plays)
• George Linde
• Mohammed Shami

Other Matchups and Facts 

• Head to Head: 4 RCB, 2 LSG. 
• Aiden Markram vs Krunal Pandya (T20s): 4 runs, 3 dismissals in 8 deliveries.
• Virat Kohli vs Mohammed Shami (T20s): 107 runs, 5 dismissals in 77 deliveries.
• Virat Kohli vs Avesh Khan (T20s): 75 runs, 3 dismissals in 44 deliveries.

IPL 2026 23rd Match: RCB vs LSG Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

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IPL 2026 23rd Match: RCB vs LSG Match Prediction: Who will win?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be the clear favourites to win this game. They have great depth and quality in their side with their batters being in top form right now.

On the contrary, LSG has had their struggles with the bat, and they’ll have to be at their best, especially with the bat, if they are to win this game. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win this match.

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