IPL 2023: Match 5, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Predicted Playing XI vs Mumbai Indians

Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Royal Challengers Bangalore will kick off their IPL 2023 campaign with a clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the fifth match of the season in front of their loyal home crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, April 2.

Faf du Plessis’ side sneaked into the playoffs last year but were eventually beaten by Rajasthan Royals, ending their hopes of a maiden IPL title. The Bangalore-based franchise made a few shrewd signings at the IPL 2023 auction in a bid to bolster their chances this time around.

However, RCB were hit by injuries to their two-star players, Josh Hazlewood and Rajat Patidar in the lead-up to the tournament. Both players are set to miss the earlier half of the tournament and are facing a race against time to make it in time for the crunch stage of the competition. The other players will have to pull their socks up in their absence, especially when they take on a replenished Mumbai Indians in their campaign opener.

Here’s Royal Challengers Bangalore’s predicted XI against Mumbai Indians:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis head into the tournament opener on the back of a mixed-bag season for the Joburg Super Kings in the inaugural edition of the SA20. Although he hit the ground running with a spectacular century in the initial part of the tournament, his campaign concluded with consecutive ducks. The former South African skipper was RCB’s leading run-getter last year, with 468 runs to his name in 16 appearances.

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli had an underwhelming outing with the bat in last year’s tournament. However, that is a thing of the past, as Kohli is back to his menacing best after a prolific run with the bat in the international arena. His form with the bat at the top of the order holds the key for the Bangalore-based franchise in the 16th edition of the tournament.

Middle Order: Mahipal Lomror, Suyash Prabhudessai, Dinesh Karthik

It could be Mahipal Lomror’s season to shine for RCB as the 23-year-old has been in decent touch with the bat in the domestic circuit for Rajasthan. His form with the bat could play a crucial role for the Bangalore-based franchise, especially with an unfortunate injury to last year’s breakout star Rajat Patidar.

Another young Indian batter who has been piling runs on the domestic front is Suyash Prabhudessai. The 25-year-old batter from Goa registered his maiden double century in first-class cricket at the fag end of last year and will be looking to enhance his reputation in the shortest format of the game in the upcoming fixtures.

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik made his return to the national side after a sensational run with the bat for the Men in Red and Gold last year. The diminutive cricketer played a crucial role in RCB’s qualification for the playoffs in IPL 2022 and will also be looking to extend his prime touch with the bat in this year’s edition.

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed

Glenn Maxwell’s return to fitness ahead of the 16th edition of the tournament was a huge shot in the arm for RCB. The flamboyant Aussie all-rounder had a decent showing with the bat in last year’s contribution and will be looking to better his numbers in this year’s competition. 

Will Jacks’ injury jolted the RCB camp ahead of IPL 2023, however, the team management acted swiftly to rope in explosive Kiwi all-rounder Michael Bracewell. Indian fans would’ve not forgotten his scathing assaults against India earlier this year and RCB fans will be expecting the same from Bracewell in this year’s competition.

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj

Harshal Patel couldn’t quite live up to his usual high standards in last year’s competition as he followed up his 32-wicket season in 2021 with another 19 in 2022. A series of disappointing performances with the ball for the national team, followed by an unfortunate injury marked a disappointing 2022 for the canny medium pacer.

RCB secured the services of English left-arm pacer Reece Topley for INR 1.90 crore at the IPL 2023 auction. The towering pacer revived his white-ball career with a series of impressive performances for the national side in 2022. However, an ankle injury ruled him out of England’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. His exploits with the new ball will hold the key for RCB, especially in the absence of star Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood.

Mohammed Siraj had an underwhelming outing for RCB in last year’s competition as he returned with a lowly tally of nine wickets in 15 matches. But the searing pacer made amends in the international circuit, especially in the 50-over format, where he climbed up to the no.1 position in the ODI rankings. 

Impact player scenarios:

If Royal Challengers Bangalore bat first (Captain chooses the XI with an extra batter at toss):

Probable Impact Player: Anuj Rawat

RCB’s hard-hitting 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter could ruffle a few feathers with his power-hitting abilities. He showed glimpses of his talent in last year’s tournament with a match-winning performance against five-time champions Mumbai Indians. 

If Royal Challengers Bangalore bowl first (Captain chooses the XI with an extra bowler at toss):

Probable Impact Player: Avinash Singh

Jammu and Kashmir speedster Avinash Singh was roped in by the Bangalore-based franchise through RCB’s Hinterland Scouting. He was signed for INR 60.00 lakh at the IPL 2023 auction and has a reputation of generating serious pace with the ball. His signing could turn out to be a masterstroke from the team management.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s predicted XI: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Harshal Patel, Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj