The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are in the midst of yet another disastrous IPL campaign. Despite Virat Kohli’s top form, big names like Faf du Plessis, Maxwell, and Green haven’t delivered, leaving the batting reliant on one man. The bowling, a cause for concern, has been plagued by inconsistency and frequent changes haven’t improved matters. Their campaign is now looking in tatters and it will be no less than a miracle if they manage to qualify for the playoffs.
Tomorrow, they will be up against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in what will be the 30th game of this season. RCB desperately needs a win and while they start as underdogs, anything can happen in a format as fickle as T20. Here, we look at their probable playing XI for the game against Pat Cummins and his side:
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s form has been the biggest positive for RCB this season. He has been batting with fluency and confidence which is reflected in his numbers. He currently holds the orange cap for the highest run-getter and RCB will need Kohli to continue his good form as things can still be worse for them.
Faf du Plessis
Captain Faf du Plessis hasn’t quite scaled the heights fans expect. While he showed glimpses of his class with a fifty in the last game, consistency has been a concern. Given RCB’s bowling woes, du Plessis needs to lead by example and bat with more responsibility.
Will Jacks
The young English all-rounder, Will Jacks, finally got his chance in the previous game. He impressed with a few audacious shots before getting dismissed. RCB needs to give him a consistent run. Jacks’ explosive batting style can provide the much-needed impetus in the middle overs, taking the pressure off Kohli.
Rajat Patidar
Patidar started the campaign on a shaky note. However, he seems to have rediscovered his touch with a crucial fifty in the last game. RCB will be hoping he can build on this momentum and provide some stability to the line-up.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell, the big-hitting Australian all-rounder, has been a major disappointment. Three golden ducks in six games is a clear indication that something is amiss. Maxwell thrives on confidence, and the string of failures might have dented his morale. He needs to introspect, work on his technique, and find his lost mojo quickly before it’s too late.
Dinesh Karthik
The veteran wicket-keeper batsman, Dinesh Karthik, has been a bright spot with his consistent finishing. His experience and ability to find the boundary in the deathovers are crucial for RCB. The team management should ensure he gets enough balls to express himself and guide RCB to defendable totals.
Mahipal Lomror
Mahipal Lomror, another young Indian talent, showcased his potential with a couple of impressive knocks. However, his surprising omission from the playing eleven raised questions. Such chopping and changing can disrupt a player’s rhythm and confidence. If Lomror gets a consistent opportunity, he can prove to be a valuable middle-order batsman for RCB.
Tom Curran
With Alzarri Joseph and Reece Topley failing to make a significant impact, RCB is likely to turn to Tom Curran. The English pace bowler is known for his variations and ability to take wickets in crucial moments. However, he hasn’t quite replicated his international success in the IPL yet. RCB will be hoping his experience and swing bowling can bolster their attack.
Yash Dayal
Young pacer Yash Dayal is likely to return to the playing XI after being dropped from the previous game. He has been good in patches but consistency has been an issue and so, he needs to utilise this opportunity to prove his worth.
Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj, once considered the leader of the RCB attack, has been in terrible form. His inability to contain runs has put immense pressure on the rest of the bowlers. As a senior player, Siraj needs to lead by example and rediscover his rhythm.
Impact Substitute: Saurav Chauhan and Vijaykumar Vyshak
Sourav Chauhan, the batter, hasn’t quite grabbed his opportunities. He needs to be more effective as RCB isn’t a team that provides too many opportunities. On the other hand, Vijaykumar Vyshak, like Lomror, was dropped after a good performance. He received a hiding in his last outing, but RCB will hope he can learn from his mistakes and contribute more effectively.
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