RCB vs KKR Playing 11 and Toss News, IPL 2026: Rajat Patidar opts to bowl first against Kolkata

RCB captain Rajat Patidar has won the toss and decided to field first against KKR in this crucial IPL clash in Raipur. Both teams have made one change each for the game.

Big moment for left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey, who has officially been handed his KKR debut cap ahead of the clash against RCB.

As per Accuweather, Raipur will not witness much rain in the next few hours. If it turns out to be true then we will have an uninterrupted game of cricket. However, orange alert has been issued in the city for evening thunderstorms, so nothing can be said.

Will Kohli be given the ball tonight?

There’s a patch of water near the boundary rope and that could hinder some movement there for players. But the other parts of the ground are good enough. Players are out there warming up as we move towards the toss.

Jacob Duffy has marked his run-up and so has Josh Hazlewood. Will we see both the pacers play for RCB tonight? Conditions are expected to favour fast bowling so it would not be a bad decision.

We have the official announcement now. Toss takes place at 8:30 PM and we will have the first ball at 8:45 PM. We can all hope for the rain to stay away now. No overs lost!

Players have started warming up and toss could take place shortly. But we are still awaiting an official update which will come after the inspection takes place at 8.15 PM.

The IPL 2026 playoff race is getting tighter with eight teams still in contention for the top four spots.

Krunal Pandya was seen taking a close look at the pitch as preparations continue for the RCB vs KKR clash. While a large part of the ground is now uncovered, some covers still remain in place near the square following the earlier rain interruption. Ground staff are continuing their efforts to dry the surface and outfield, with inspection scheduled at 8:15 PM IST.

The rain has stopped in Raipur and groundsmen are currently working hard to dry the outfield and remove the remaining wet patches after the earlier showers delayed proceedings. Some covers are still on, but are slowly being removed.

(How do you keep yourself positive despite the lack of runs this season?) Some people see the glass half empty, some see it half full. Similarly, I understand that I’m not scoring runs right now, but I focus on how much effort I can put into my keeping, how much feedback I can give the team or how much I can help the captain. I focus on the things I can do instead of overthinking the things that are not happening. I focus on what’s going well. (On his keeping, especially whem Krunal is bowling) I wouldn’t say difficult, it’s exciting because normally you keep wickets in a certain way, but they’ve brought something new into the sport. So as a cricketer, it excites you when something new comes up. It’s exciting, keeping for Hazlewood, Bhuvi bhai, and Krunal bhai. (On the pitch) Nobody can ever be 100% sure about how a wicket will play. As the game progresses, you have to keep adapting. Yes, I stay close to the wicket, but still you can’t be completely sure. Your intent, however, should always be right, that’s the key.

There is encouraging news from Raipur as the covers are now being removed ahead. Ground staff are working hard to clear the remaining water after the earlier rain interruption.

There is finally some positive news from the stadium as the rain has stopped for now. An inspection is scheduled to take place at 8:15 PM local time.

Rain has delayed the toss in the big IPL clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ground staff are currently keeping the pitch and square covered.

It has started to rain again in Raipur and the covers were already in place. So, definitely the toss will be delayed. Stay tuned for official update.

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur remains under covers as rain threat is looming in the city. It is not raining as of now but fans of both the sides will keep their fingers crossed.

While RCB are in second position in the IPL 2026 points table, KKR are struggling at the bottom.

“We have to be ready for all kinds of surfaces we get and as a team we are pretty much prepared to face such challenges. It is part and parcel of the game, we have to adapt, read the situation and respond.”

The Kolkata Knight Riders have a 20-15 lead over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and KKR have won four times and lost only once to RCB since 2023.

The previous RCB vs MI game turned out to be a final-over thriller. The ball swung early on, and spinners had it easier in the first innings. It was the first IPL game since 2016 at the venue.

KKR Probable Playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Finn Allen: Impact Player

RCB Probable Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar.

Devdutt Padikkal: Impact Player

KKR coach Shane Watson revealed that Varun was ‘sore’ and was being monitored. The spinner was not spotted at training, prompting concern over his status for tonight’s match.

In case Chakaravarthy misses out, KKR have two replacement options in Daksh Kamra and leg-spinner Prashant Solanki.

Phil Salt has not opened for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru since April 18, and has flew home after a finger injury he suffered against Delhi Capitals. As of now, he is yet to link up with the camp.

In Salt’s absence, Jacib Bethell pairs up with Virat Kohli as the opening duo.