IPL 2026: Big change in RCB playing XI for LSG clash! Young sensation likely to make debut

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is likely to make at least one change in their playing combination for their match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). RCB is all set to take on LSG tonight at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Ahead of the match, an Instagram post of an RCB player went viral among cricket fans across social media platforms.

If the speculations are to be believed, then Jordan Cox is likely to make his IPL debut for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru tonight in Lucknow. Cox himself has provided a hint regarding this. In his Instagram post, the England international wrote, “Getting to the business end of the competition.”

Jordan Cox is likely to make his debut for RCB tonight, against LSG

Jordan Cox's social media post has forced cricket fans to speculate about the possible changes RCB could make to the playing eleven for the 50^th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League season.

To allocate Cox a room in the playing eleven, the team management will have to exclude an overseas player from their line-up. Who can be replaced to for Jordan Cox? Currently, there are two possibilities: one is Romario Shephard, and the other is Jacob Bethell. According to speculation, between Shephard and Bethell, one of them could be dropped tonight when Rajit Patidar and Co. take on the Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants.

Notable stats of Jordan Cox

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) acquired English wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox for INR 75 Lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. He was purchased at his base price, with RCB being the sole bidder for the player. He is among the emerging talents who have made a positive impression with the England cricket team in the recent past.

Read More: IPL 2026 standings after SRH vs PBKS: Points Table, Wins, Losses & Net Run Rate

The 25-year-old has so far played in 9 matches across the white ball format for England. In 4 T20I innings, Cox has gathered 88 runs with an average of 22.00 and a strike rate of 131.34. In the ODIs, the keeper-batters' total run so far is only 22 in 3 games. In First Class cricket, Jordan’s batting average is 41.81. His stats are not amongst the best in the business, but he has made his name as an impact batter in the T20 format.

Which player should be dropped from the RCB playing XI?

If RCB wants to fit Jordan Cox in their middle-order, then Romario Shephard could be dropped from the team, as he remains out of touch both with bat and ball for a long time now.

Jacob Bethell’s stats in the IPL 2026 are also far from satisfying. In place of the injured opener Phil Salt, he played a few matches for RCB as an opener alongside Virat Kohli. After playing 3 matches, Jacob’s batting average is only 13.00.