RCB vs SRH ( Photo source: X / Twitter )
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be taking on each other in the 30th match of the IPL 2024. Both teams had contrasting journeys in the league so far. RCB is placed in the last spot in the points table. They have a solitary win to their name in 6 matches so far. With a total of 5 losses and a negative net run rate of -1.124, they have managed to claim just two points. The 2016 runner-ups need to win all their upcoming matches.
SRH is placed well in the points table. They have played 5 matches and claimed 3 wins so far, losing just two matches in the process. They are placed in the fifth spot in the points table with a total of 6 points and a positive net run rate of +0.344 to their name. They are placed better than RCB and look good to make it to the playoffs with the way they are playing at the moment. Even on paper, they have a better squad with a better set of quality players.
In their last match, RCB suffered a huge loss against MI. Despite scoring 196 runs on the board, RCB lost the match by 6 wickets with a whopping 28 balls left in the game. SRH won their previous game against a team like PBKS by just 2 runs. It would have given them a lot of confidence which would be handy against RCB. The match between the two sides will happen at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on the 15th of April 2014 at 7:30 PM (IST). One can expect a good match between the two sides.
Here is the probable playing XI of RCB for the game against SRH:
Openers – Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis (C)
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. (Source -Twitter/X)
RCB is likely to go with the same opening pair of Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis. The return of Faf would have given them a lot of confidence. In the last game against MI, the star batter scored a fifty and was impressive. After batting well against CSK in the season opener, Du Plessis could not make any impact. But against MI, he looked fluent and was up for a big one before getting dismissed. He would love to continue the good run against SRH.
Virat Kohli could not bat well against MI. He managed to score 3(9) and perished against Jasprit Bumrah. But the star batter is the highest run-scorer in the tournament so far. The experienced batter can hold one end up and allow others to bat around him. If necessary, the right-handed batter plays explosive knocks too. At his best, Kohli can be an unstoppable entity. He would be hungry to score runs against SRH which will be important for RCB.
Middle Order – Rajat Patidar, Will Jacks, and Dinesh Karthik (WK)
Rajat Patidar. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
In the middle order, RCB has some good options. They have an emerging batter like Rajat Patidar who just returned to form in the game against MI. The 30-year-old scored a brisk fifty and helped RCB to increase the run rate at quick rate. With this form, he becomes a dangerous batter. RCB got Will Jacks in their batting lineup for the game against MI. The English player can contribute both as a batter and as a bowler. He was good with the ball against MI.
The right-handed batter can singlehandedly win matches for his side. The key for the management of RCB would be to back him and provide enough opportunities to prove himself. Dinesh Karthik has been in brilliant form as a batter. The experienced batter has been explosive lower down the order finishing the game more often than not. In the last game against MI, the right-handed batter scored an unbeaten fifty. Even with the gloves, he has been good.
All-Rounders – Mahipal Lomror and Cameron Green
Cameron Green. (Source -IPL)
Mahipal Lomror has been one of the best finishers in the league so far. The youngster has played some fine cameos and helped RCB to post good totals on the board. He can step up with the ball if required. In addition to it, RCB has Cameron Green who has not been in his best form. The Australian has played some good knocks but has not been consistent as a performer. The emerging player can win matches on his own, but has not done well for RCB.
The key for the management of RCB would be to back him and provide enough opportunities to prove himself. In the absence of Glenn Maxwell, he must do the job for his team. In addition to it, RCB has some good talents who have not gotten opportunities to play so far. The likes of Manoj Bhandage, Sourav Chauhan, and Suyash Prabhudesai can step up in different roles. If required, jacks can also be handy with the ball and assist the bowlers.
Bowlers – Mohammed Siraj, Mayank Dagar, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak (Impact substitute)
Mohammad Siraj. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
RCB’s bowling has been poor, to say the least. None of their bowlers have been able to bowl consistently. Despite Bengaluru being a good bowling surface, their bowlers have let the team down. Mohammed Siraj is having the worst season as a pacer. At the other end, Yash Dayal and Vijaykumar Vyshak have not gotten enough backing despite doing well in many matches. They are likely to operate with the new ball and in the middle overs for RCB.
Mayank Dagar is likely to come in for the game against SRH after getting dropped against MI. He will be the economical bowler for RCB in the middle overs. To bowl alongside would be Vyshak who would be handy with his slower ones and cutters. Lockie Ferguson might make his debut for RCB. The right-arm pacer might be the key for RCB in the middle overs and the death overs. To bowl alongside him would be Siraj who is decent with yorkers and wide yorkers.
RCB XI for the game against SRH:
Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis (C), Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, Will Jacks, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Mahipal Lomror, Mayank Dagar, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal
Impact substitute – Vijaykumar Vyshak