IPL 2026: Will Virat Kohli play today vs LSG? Latest update on RCB star

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter Virat Kohli, who has been in ominous form in IPL 2026, had walked off the field with an ankle niggle during the match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. His availability for the clash against Lucknow Super Giants became a major talking point ahead of Wednesday’s game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

However, Kohli attended the training session, practised, interacted with teammates, and shared light moments as he usually does. The only concern was that the star batter was seen training with his left knee heavily strapped.

In a video shared by LSG’s social media handle, Kohli was seen walking with his left knee strapped while meeting New Zealand great Kane Williamson. He greeted Williamson, who is part of LSG’s support staff, and also hugged LSG captain Rishabh Pant.

Despite the visible strapping, Kohli spent time in the nets and had an extended batting session, easing immediate concerns.

In four matches so far this season, Kohli has scored 179 runs at an average of 59.66 and a strike rate of 162.72, including two fifties, with a highest score of 69*.

In the previous outing against Mumbai Indians, he struck a 38-ball 50, hitting five fours and a six.

RCB will once again rely on their strong batting unit as they look to overcome an inconsistent LSG side and move clear of the mid-table congestion.

The Bengaluru outfit are currently third on the points table with six points, while four other teams trail with four points each. RCB are two points behind leaders Rajasthan Royals and one point behind Punjab Kings.

Squads:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Josh Hazlewood, Jordan Cox, Nuwan Thushara, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal

Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Yadav, Matthew Breetzke, Anrich Nortje, Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Mohsin Khan, Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Maharaj Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari.