IPL 2026: Will Ravindra Jadeja play RR’s must-win clash against LSG today?

Ravindra Jadeja of Rajasthan Royals (Photo by ANI) Ravindra Jadeja is expected to make a comeback for Rajasthan Royals in their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants after missing the previous match against Delhi Capitals due to a knee strain. Jadeja’s absence during RR’s defeat to Delhi raised concerns among fans, especially after captain Riyan Parag only briefly mentioned “workload management” at the toss without fully clarifying the all-rounder’s condition. However, Rajasthan batting coach Vikram Rathour later confirmed that the franchise had rested Jadeja as a precaution due to knee discomfort rather than any serious injury. “I think his knee was just a little bit sore. He’s just trying to deal with it. They felt if we gave him one more game break it would be good for him. That’s why he was rested. He’s just dealing with some nagging,” Rathour said in the postgame press conference. The experienced all-rounder is now likely to return for Tuesday’s must-win game in Jaipur. The timing of his expected comeback is significant for Rajasthan as they enter the final stages of the league stage under a lot of pressure. RR are currently sitting sixth in the table with 12 points from 12 matches after suffering three straight defeats, including two losses against Delhi Capitals. Their recent struggles have badly damaged the momentum at a crucial stage of the tournament. Rajasthan have also lost their last three home matches while concerns about batting consistency and power bowling continue to grow. A dip in form from Yashasvi Jaiswal and inconsistent contributions from the lower middle order added further pressure to the side after a strong first half of the season. Despite the slump, Rajasthan still remain firmly in the playoffs. Wins in their remaining matches against Lucknow and Mumbai Indians would take them to 16 points, which would be enough to secure qualification.