IPL: RCB skipper Rajat Patidar wins toss, opts to bowl against LSG
Lucknow, May 7
Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to field in their Indian Premier League clash against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Thursday.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru return refreshed after a week-long break, while the struggling Lucknow Super Giants find themselves on the brink of elimination.
The Lucknow-based side must win tonight to keep their playoff hopes alive. A defeat will virtually end their campaign for a playoff spot.
"We will bowl first. It's not as loud as Chinnaswamy, but it's still loud. The surface looks good, and we'll look to restrict them to a low score. The break was good; everyone is doing well, and we had some hard practice. We are playing with the same team," Rajat Patidar said during the toss.
"Few changes in our team. Some injuries - Inglis and Mohsin Khan miss out. The only thing is to move with clarity. We know we're a top team, but the main thing is clarity. We have a few changes in the batting order. Having a stable environment is needed, but we need to make changes at times. Looks like a 180-190 wicket, a better wicket than most of the other games," LSG skipper Rishabh Pant said.
Teams: 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.
— ANI
Reader Comments
LSG in a must-win situation and they're already missing Inglis and Mohsin? That's a big blow. Pant needs to figure out his batting order mess soon. 180-190 feels about right for this pitch—expecting a high-scoring thriller tonight! 🏏
RCB playing the same XI—that's either confidence or stubbornness. But I'm glad they're sticking with Bethell at the top; he showed glimpses last game. Also, glad to see Suyash Sharma getting another chance. Young spinner can make a difference in the middle overs.
Honestly, I'm a bit worried about LSG's batting order. Mitchell Marsh opening with Arshin Kulkarni? They need Pooran and Markram to fire big time. And Pant saying 'we need clarity' after so many games... hope they fix this soon or it's curtains for them. 💔
Interesting that LSG have Digvesh Rathi and Prince Yadav in the XI—both relatively new faces. Pressure situation for them. Meanwhile, RCB's bowling looks solid with Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Suyash. Could be a close game if LSG's top order clicks early.
RCB fans must be praying Hazlewood and Bhuvi give a good start with the new ball. If they can get Marsh and Pooran early, LSG will crumble. Also, Kohli needs to anchor well—this is his kind of chase situation if needed. ⚡
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