Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 19th match of IPL 2024 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. It will be a clash between two teams placed at different spectrums of the points table. On the one hand, RR is placed comfortably at the 2nd spot in the points table after all three matches played so far.
On the other hand, RCB is at the bottom half of the table at the 7th position as they have lost 3 out of their 4 matches so far in the tournament. After facing a demoralising defeat in their last game against LSG at their home ground which must have dented their confidence they will have to bring their A game against RR, who have been in top form in the tournament so far.
In this article, we will predict the best possible playing XI of RCB for their next encounter against RR which will give them the best possible chance to gain two points:
Top Order
1. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis is their captain and will open the innings for RCB. The former Proteas captain is an IPL veteran and is known for his explosive starts in the powerplay. Although he hasn’t fired with the bat yet in the tournament so far, RCB will hope him to come good against RR which would allow Virat Kohli to take his time at the start.
2. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, like always, has been taking the responsibility of RCB’s batting this year. He has made two half-centuries so far in 4 games but still hasn’t finished the innings in the manner he’s known for. RCB would like him to play throughout the innings while other batters will play around him.
3. Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar is continuing with his harrowing form from the England test series in the IPL as well. The explosive batter has shown glimpses of having something special in him but hasn’t been able to make the most of the opportunities he has been given so far.
However, he played a patchy yet significant innings of 29 runs in the last match and the RCB management would desperately want him to take heart from the previous innings and play a big one against RR.
Middle Order
4. Cameron Green
The Australian all-rounder was traded for huge bucks by RCB hoping that he will come good for the franchise. Cameron Green has been a flop show so far in the IPL both with the bat and ball. He has got started with the bat but hasn’t been able to play a big innings so far. RCB would love to see a big score from Green against RR and some wickets with the bowl.
5. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell has been an enigma of the IPL. Every year, he is picked up for big bucks from different franchises but still hasn’t been able to have a standout season so far apart from one in 2014. Maxwell’s form with the bat has been horrific so far. Although he bowled well and took some key wickets, RCB will desperately need him to score some meaningful runs with the bat too.
6. Mahipal Lomror
Mahipal Lomror has been in belligerent form so far in the IPL. He has played some quick-fire knocks for RCB in the death overs and played a key role in RCB’s sole victory in the tournament so far. RCB would like him to maintain the same form against RR as well.
7. Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik has seemed to turn the clock back once again as he has regained his form in the IPL after a mediocre last season. He is still capable enough to play some big knocks for RCB in the death overs and could take the wicket keeping duties as well.
Bowlers
8. Mayank Dagar
RCB is not a rich spinner in the tournament, but still, Mayank Dagar has performed his role well enough to keep his spot in the team. He hasn’t been among the wickets so far, but he has bowled tight lines and hasn’t leaked too many runs.
9. Vijay Kumar Vyshak
Vijay Kumar Vyshak bowled pretty well against KKR but despite the decent performance, he was dropped from the XI against LSG for reasons best known to RCB. He should be included in the XI against RR as the wicket at Jaipur is a bit two-paced which will assist bowlers like Vyshak who have a really good slower ball.
10. Lockie Ferguson
RCB have tried Alzarri Joseph and Reece Topley as the fast-bowling option so far. But against RR, Lockie Ferguson could be a great option as he can bowl rockets with the ball which could surprise the RR batter and could be difficult to hit on a two-paced Jaiput wicket.
11. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has been a big letdown for RCB in the bowling department this year for RCB. He is their leading bowling in this pace attack but has leaked too many runs in the powerplay as well at the death. In addition, he doesn’t have much to show for in the wicket’s column as well.
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