{"id":8136,"date":"2026-05-07T14:29:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/rcb-stick-with-same-xi-as-lsg-make-three-changes-for-ekana-clash"},"modified":"2026-05-07T14:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:29:44","slug":"rcb-stick-with-same-xi-as-lsg-make-three-changes-for-ekana-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/rcb-stick-with-same-xi-as-lsg-make-three-changes-for-ekana-clash","title":{"rendered":"RCB Stick With Same XI as LSG Make Three Changes for Ekana Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rajat Patidar won the toss and called correctly as Royal Challengers Bengaluru opted to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium.<\/p>\n

RCB\u2019s team news and batting plan<\/h2>\n

Royal Challengers Bengaluru kept their side unchanged for the contest. With Phil Salt unavailable, Jacob Bethell is set to continue opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli.<\/p>\n

Salt has returned home for scans on an injured finger, though there remains a possibility of him rejoining the squad around the later stages of the tournament.<\/p>\n

LSG forced reshuffle ahead of the match<\/h2>\n

Lucknow Super Giants made several adjustments because of injuries and niggles. Arshin Kulkarni comes in at the top of the order to replace Josh Inglis for his first match of the season.<\/p>\n

There was also a change in the pace-spin balance: Mohsin Khan and Avesh Khan were left out, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Digvesh Rathi brought in\u2014both operating as left-arm spin and legspin options respectively.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the nature of the surface, Rishabh Pant said the pitch was \u201c180-190\u201d in terms of what it could offer and that it looked \u201cbetter [red-soil wicket] than most of the other games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Captains\u2019 thoughts on pressure and the points race<\/h2>\n

With Royal Challengers Bengaluru starting the night positioned above the bottom after wins earlier in the week, Pant acknowledged the challenge of being at the foot of the points table.<\/p>\n

He described the key as \u201cclarity\u201d, adding that while the group knows it is a top side, they have to manage repeated changes in the batting order. Pant stressed that stability is important, but adjustments are required at times.<\/p>\n

RCB\u2019s perspective for the standings is simple: a victory tonight would move them to the top of the table. For Lucknow, it is expected that simply winning may not be enough to lift them off the bottom.<\/p>\n

Playing XIs and impact options<\/h2>\n

Lucknow Super Giants<\/h3>\n