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IPL 2026: Virat misses out on Playing XI vs LSG, Hazlewood returns in place of Duffy for RCB

IPL 2026: Virat misses out on Playing XI vs LSG, Hazlewood returns in place of Duffy for RCB

IPL 2026: Virat misses out on Playing XI vs LSG, Hazlewood returns in place of Duffy for RCB Photograph: (AFP)

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Playing at their home ground at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli was omitted from the Playing XI while Josh Hazlewood came in place of Jacob Duffy, having missed the contest against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made two key changes to the Playing XI in their Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) onWednesday (April 15) as Virat Kohli missed out on action. Playing at their home ground at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Virat was omitted from the Playing XI while Josh Hazlewood came in place of Jacob Duffy, having missed the contest against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

Virat misses out on Playing XI

Having won the toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar decided to bowl first before announcing the team news for the LSG contest. Virat was suffering from a leg issue and did not take to the field against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, having scored a 37-ball fifty. He was clearly seen in pain during the RCB innings. He was replaced under the Impact Sub rule, meaning RCB retained a fully fit Playing XI while defending the 241-run target.

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On the other hand, Hazlewood was given the nod in the bowling department as Duffy made way for him. The Australian pacer was dropped against Mumbai but reinstated for the crucial clash on Wednesday.

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Will Virat come in as Impact Sub?

While Virat won’t be taking the field against LSG, his involvement won’t be ruled out entirely in the match. He is expected to come in as an impact sub when RCB come out to bat in the second innings. Virat’s involvement in the match could also depend on the total RCB could chase. In case there is a big total, RCB might ask Virat to bat, while a low score could see him miss out altogether.

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About the Author

Aditya Vidyadhar Pimpale

Parth Seth is a research fellow at India Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, where he studies the themes of development, foreign policy, and multilateralism, particularly in ...Read More