IPL 2023: Match 65, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Predicted Playing XI vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo Source: IPL)

Royal Challengers Bangalore sent the record books tumbling after handing a chastening defeat to title contenders Rajasthan Royals in their last outing. While Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Anuj Rawat shone with the bat in the first innings, it was RCB’s bowling which tore apart Rajasthan’s batting order.

Anuj Rawat’s belligerent cameo helped RCB finish the innings on a high and the visitors continued their momentum with the ball in the second innings. Wayne Parnell, who was drafted into the starting eleven, scalped three crucial wickets in his spell to derail RR’s chase, restricting the home side to the third-lowest total in IPL history.

The Bangalore-based franchise needs to win their remaining two matches, starting with their upcoming match against a struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad on their home ground.

Here’s Royal Challengers Bangalore’s predicted XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli

South African batting superstar and Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis has been unstoppable with the bat this season. The leading run-scorer of the tournament so far, the RCB opener continued his purple patch against Rajasthan Royals, registering his second successive half-century to steady the ship for the visitors. He is the current IPL 2023 Orange Cap holder and will hope to retain it with big scores in the upcoming matches. 

Meanwhile, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has hit a bit of a lean patch after he was dismissed for another low score, his second in a row, against Rajasthan Royals. However, Kohli has been in decent touch in the ongoing 16th edition of the tournament and he will hope to come good in the upcoming crucial match against SRH.

Middle Order: Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Anuj Rawat

RCB’s Australian import Glenn Maxwell registered his second successive half-century against last year’s losing finalists, stitching a crucial partnership with skipper Faf du Plessis. While his skipper was a bit measured with his approach at the crease, Maxwell took the attack to the Rajasthan bowlers on a two-paced surface. He also chipped in with a wicket in the second innings.

The Bangalore-based franchise were dealt a double whammy when middle-order batters Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik were dismissed on successive deliveries by Adam Zampa. While Lomror lasted just two deliveries, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter wasn’t even able to open his account, departing for a golden duck.

With his side in a precarious situation after losing a flurry of wickets in quick succession, Anuj Rawat came to the party for the visitors. The southpaw took over the role of the finisher for his side, smashing 29 runs in just 11 deliveries to take the Men in Red and Gold to more than a competitive total in their 20 overs. 

Allrounder: Michael Bracewell 

Faf du Plessis’ side dropped star Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasarange for the game against Rajasthan in favour of Kiwi all-rounder Michael Bracewell. While he scored a run-a-ball nine with the bat in the first innings, the Kiwi chipped in with two wickets in his three overs, conceding just 16 runs.

Bowlers: Wayne Parnell, Harshal Patel, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

RCB raised a few eyebrows after they dropped Josh Hazlewood from the side to accommodate veteran South African pacer, Wayne Parnell. However, that decision proved to be a masterstroke as Parnell dismissed the dangerous Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson in his first over of the match. He also dismissed Joe Root to end all hopes of a comeback by the Royals. He was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling spell.

While Harshal Patel did not get an opportunity to bowl in the match, veteran Indian spinner Karn Sharma also made the most of his outing. He bagged two wickets in the match and scalped KM Asif’s wicket to end Rajasthan’s misery with the bat, failing to even play out their allocated 20 overs.

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj finally got a wicket to his name after two wicketless outings in his last two matches. It was Siraj who opened the floodgates for the Bangalore-based franchise, getting rid of an in-from Yashasvi Jaiswal for a two-ball duck on just the second delivery of the second innings.

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

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Anuj Rawat, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Michael Bracewell, Wayne Parnell, Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Probable Impact Players:

Vijaykumar Vyshak, Finn Allen, Shahbaz Ahmed, Himanshu Sharma, Suyash Prabhudessai