IPL 2023: Match 60, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Predicted Playing XI vs Rajasthan Royals

11 months ago 149

Faf du Plessis' Royal Challengers Bangalore succumbed to their second successive defeat after a humbling loss against five-time champions Mumbai Indians in their last outing. Not only do they need to win all their remaining matches, but they also need a favour or two from the other sides in IPL 2023.

RCB did a good enough job with the bat against Rohit Sharma's side on their visit to the Wankhede, thanks to blistering half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell. However, their bowlers were powerless against Suryakumar Yadav's majestic innings. The Bangalore-based franchise might look to alter their bowling combinations for their crucial fixture against an upbeat Rajasthan Royals.

Here's Royal Challengers Bangalore's predicted XI against Rajasthan Royals:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis continued his majestic run with the bat after smashing a brisk half-century against five-time champions Mumbai Indians. The veteran opener made full use of the batting-friendly conditions at the Wankhede, amassing 65 runs in 41 deliveries. His partnership with Glenn Maxwell was crucial for RCB during the first innings.

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli failed to make any significant contributions for his side against Mumbai Indians as he was dismissed in the very first over of the match with just a solitary run to his name. He will be hoping to pile the pressure on the opposition bowlers in a crucial fixture against Rajasthan Royals.

Middle Order: Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suyash Prabhudesai, Kedar Jadhav

The Bangalore-based franchise were in a spot of bother after losing influential opener Virat Kohli in the very first over of the match. Anuj Rawat also departed cheaply, leaving his side in a spot of bother. But RCB's explosive Aussie batter Glenn Maxwell launched a scathing assault against the Mumbai bowlers to rescue his side.

He smoked 68 runs off just 33 deliveries in an invaluable stand for the third wicket along with skipper Faf du Plessis. Maxwell's departure brought an in-form Mahipal Lomror to the crease. But he failed to continue his good run with the bat, after being cleaned up by Kumar Kartikeya.

RCB were in a perilous position after they lost Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror and Faf du Plessis in quick succession. They were looking like falling well behind their desired total before veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik upped the ante in the latter stages.

The diminutive batter smashed 30 runs off just 18 deliveries in a whirlwind cameo to take RCB to a competitive total. He found an able partner in Kedhar Jadhav, who was batting for his new side for the first time in this year's edition. The former CSK batter ensured his side's strong finish, stitching a crucial partnership with Karthik.

Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Siddharth Kaul, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj

RCB's star Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with a handy cameo with the bat to take his side to a competitive total in the first innings against Mumbai Indians. However, he was not able the get the desired effect with the ball in the second innings. Although he dismissed both the Mumbai openers in his first over, he leaked 57 runs in his four-over spell.

Both Vijaykumar Vyshak and Harshal Patel were taken to the cleaners by the Mumbai batters in their last outing and the team management might look at making a few changes ahead of their crucial game against last year's finalists Rajasthan Royals. Former SRH pacer Siddharth Kaul is likely to feature for the side in the next match.

Star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood had another lacklustre outing for the Bangalore-based franchise in the 16th edition of the tournament. The towering pacer was unable to contain a belligerent Ishan Kishan in the powerplay and was later taken to the cleaners by a menacing Suryakumar Yadav.

Much like his new ball partner, Mohammed Siraj also failed to impress with the ball on a difficult surface in Mumbai. The Indian pacer, who failed to pick a wicket for the first time in IPL 2023 in his last outing, made it two consecutive matches without a wicket in the tournament. He conceded 31 runs in his three overs as Mumbai Indians made a mockery of the target set by RCB.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) Probable Playing XI:

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Suyash Prabhudesai, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Wanindu Hasaranga, Siddharth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood