It is expected to be houseful when defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore take on hosts Lucknow Super Giants here in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (left) and Virat Kohli (right) chat during a training session in Lucknow on Tuesday. (SOURCED) RCB hold a 5–2 head-to-head record against LSG, having won the home meeting in IPL 2026 by five wickets. The rivalry, which began in 2022, is known for high-scoring games and intense encounters, although LSG are languishing at the bottom of the table with four points in nine matches.
Almost all the tickets are sold out with the biggest draw being Virat Kohli, who went through the paces on Tuesday evening at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
RCB, having ended their wait for an IPL title last term, are making a statement this season as well. What makes their run—they have 12 points from nine matches—even more impressive is their consistency. They are not dependent on individuals. They are winning as a unit, with clearer plans, stronger roles, and a calmer approach under pressure.
At the heart of it all is Kohli, who is in superb touch, scoring 379 runs at an average of 54.14 and batting with usual intensity. His biggest value is his control. He has used the conditions well, picked matchups smartly, and build innings.
RCB also owe their success to an improved batting depth. Earlier, they often leaned heavily on a small group of top-order stars. This season, the contributions have been more
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