‘You don’t have any other option’ – Aakash Chopra dissects RCB’s lineup ahead of LSG game at IPL 2026

Former India batter Aakash Chopra stated that defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have little to no positions in the team that need changing as they enter the business end of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). This comes before their game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana International Stadium on Thursday, May 7.

RCB have a stable batting lineup, which has not seen any changes, apart from Jacob Bethell replacing the injured Phil Salt as an opener alongside Virat Kohli. The former player-turned-pundit does not believe there is any more room for changes up the order. 

“I was trying to read, but I couldn’t find whether Salt is available or not. If Salt is available, play him. If he isn’t available, you will have to go with Bethell. You don’t have any other option available,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

It is, however, worth mentioning that RCB have England batter Jordan Cox waiting in the wings as one other option at the top of the order. Should they decide to bench Bethell, they can opt to open with Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli and have Cox come in at number three. The right-handed batter was the Player of the Tournament at The Hundred 2025, scoring 367 runs to guide the Oval Invincibles (now MI London) to their third consecutive title. 

Chopra, meanwhile, also questioned the underwhelming forms of Romario Shepherd and Jitesh Sharma. The duo have scored just 56 and 63 runs respectively all season long. The West Indian, however, has contributed five wickets this season. 

“So that is the only change I am envisaging. Apart from that, you can think about what you need to do with Romario Shepherd. Jitesh Sharma should come in form. That is the only box that hasn’t been ticked,” Chopra added.

RCB are currently third in the points table with 12 points under their belt. A win in Lucknow will take the Bengaluru-based outfit one step closer to qualifying for the playoffs and have a chance of retaining the title.

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