IPL 2026: Why is Virat Kohli not playing today in RCB vs LSG clash?

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are hosting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday night (April 15) in the important IPL 2026 fixture. The playing squad has experienced a couple of tweaks for the match. While the Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood has returned to the playing XI, the leading IPL run-scorer Virat Kohli is missing from the playing XI. 

Defending champions RCB are the in-form team, as they have recorded three victories and one defeat in their first four games of the season. Apart from losing their away game against Rajasthan Royals, RCB beat Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings at home and the hosts Mumbai Indians.

The leading run-scorer in IPL history, Virat Kohli, is one of the in-form batters this IPL season. The right-handed opening batter has scored 179 runs in four innings of the IPL 2026 with an average of 59.66 and a strike rate of 162.72, including two half-centuries. However, the RCB fans are shocked at not seeing Kohli in the playing XI for the home match against LSG, where RCB are fielding first after winning the toss. 

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Josh Hazlewood replaces Jacob Duffy in RCB vs LSG IPL 2026 match

At toss, RCB captain Rajat Patidar confirmed that Josh Hazlewood has returned to the squad, as the Australian pacer has replaced New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy for the match. Hazlewood, the RCB title-winning hero in the IPL 2025 edition, has played one match this season. He played during the away fixture against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. While RCB failed to defend their 201/8, which the hosts chased down in 18 overs after losing four wickets, Hazlewood had the bowling figures of 4-0-44-2.

However, in their next game against the hosts Mumbai Indians, Hazlewood missed out. In fact, he wasn't present on the ground, while Jacob Duffy replaced him.

Virat Kohli in Impact Sub in RCB vs LSG IPL 2026 match

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli fans need not worry, as the former RCB captain is present in the impact sub list for the game against LSG. Kohli was hurt in their previous game against the hosts Mumbai Indians, as he didn't field in the second innings of that match. The scenario is likely to be the same for today's match, as Kohli is not in the playing XI but in the impact sub. While he is not present in the field for the game, he is likely to bat as an impact sub.