IPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bengaluru strongest predicted playing XI against Chennai Super Kings

The 17th edition of the IPL 2024 is going to be kickstarted with a mouth-watering clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The two immensely popular teams are going to square off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Friday, March 22.

Just over 24 hours before the start of the season, Chennai Super Kings shocked the cricket fraternity by appointing Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain, replacing the legendary MS Dhoni. The iconic wicketkeeper-batter led CSK to a record-equaling fifth IPL title last season, commendably manoeuvring an inexperienced bowling lineup with his sharp cricketing brain. This time, the 42-year-old would be guiding young Ruturaj from the back in what could be his last dance.

The men's team of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru received a huge boost when the women's team lifted the WPL title on Sunday, March 17. Faf du Plessis and Co. have compiled a strong team and would look to go the distance and complete a historic double. Last year, they were in contention for a playoffs berth until they lost their last league match against Gujarat Titans. Eventually, the Bengaluru-based franchise finished sixth on the points table, missing out on playoffs qualification for the first time in four seasons.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table

Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, they traded in the talented Australian all-rounder Cameron Green from the Mumbai Indians. Also, the return of Ruturaj Gaikwad has bolstered their squad this season. While there are concerns in the bowling department after the releases of proven performers like Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga, there are quite a few options that could help RCB excel in the cash-rich league.

CSK have had the upper hand against RCB in the head-to-head scoreline. The Men in Yellow have won 20 while RCB have won only 10 out of the 31 matches they have played against each other. MS Dhoni and Co. also defeated them in the finals of IPL 2011. Last year, these two sides faced each other only once in Bengaluru. The visitors won a high-scoring thriller by eight runs, defending a target of 227.

Here’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru's predicted playing XI for the clash against Chennai Super Kings:

Openers: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c)

The legendary Virat Kohli has been with RCB since the inception of the league. He skipped the recently concluded series between India and England due to personal reasons. The Delhi batter became a father for the second time last month. In IPL 2023, Kohli was in scintillating form as he smashed 639 runs from 14 matches at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82, finishing as the fourth-highest run-getter in the campaign. The experienced campaigner is also the leading run-scorer in the history of the competition. If he is in form, RCB will look like a much stronger side than they already are.

Faf du Plessis has led the team from the front in the last couple of seasons after taking over from Kohli. He had an even better tournament last season as he finished second on the list of highest run-getters with 730 runs from 14 matches at an average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 153.68. He would be eager to continue the good work alongside Kohli at the top and set things up nicely for the destructive middle-order batters.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

Middle Order: Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik (wk)

Rajat Patidar established himself as a reliable No. 3 batter for RCB during IPL 2022, as he scored 333 runs at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75. His century against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator at Eden Gardens was remarkable. However, last season RCB didn't get his services as he was ruled out of the tournament due to a heel injury. The franchise tried different options at No. 3 but struggled to find a suitable replacement before they were forced to promote Maxwell to that position.

The charismatic Glenn Maxwell also had a solid season last year. He scored 400 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 183.49 and also registered five half-centuries. With Cameron Green in the squad this year, Maxwell won't have to do all the heavy lifting himself. However, there is only one way that the 35-year-old plays and if he is on song, the bowlers could be in for a very long night.

Dinesh Karthik is set to end his IPL career after the upcoming season. After having one of his best seasons in 2022, the wicketkeeper-batter had a forgettable campaign last year. In 13 matches, he scored just 140 runs at a paltry average of 11.67 and a highest score of just 30. The 38-year-old will look to finish his IPL journey with a memorable performance.

Click Here: CSK vs RCB Live Score, Match 1

All-rounders - Cameron Green, Mayank Dagar

Cameron Green's performance will be crucial for RCB as he is a genuine all-rounder, who can go big with the bat and also take crucial wickets with the ball. He made his IPL debut last year and had an excellent season with the bat, scoring 452 runs at an average of 50.22 and a strike rate of 160.28. The 24-year-old didn't have a great season with the ball as he picked up just six wickets from the 16 matches and conceded runs at an economy rate of 9.50. However, in the past 12 months, he has continued to improve as a bowler and a much better performance can be expected from him with the ball in IPL 2024.

Mayank Dagar was traded in by the Royal Challengers from Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder from Delhi. The 27-year-old played three matches in IPL 2023 and couldn't make much of an impression. However, he has done well in the domestic circuit, having picked up 55 wickets in 54 matches at an average of 23.03 and an economy rate of 6.57 in T20 matches.

Also Check: Chennai vs Bangalore, Match 1 - MPL Opinio Prediction

Bowlers - Karn Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Karn Sharma played seven matches last season and picked up 10 wickets at an average of 22.30. However, he leaked runs at 10.37. As far as RCB's spin-bowling department is concerned, there is nothing much to write home about. Faf and Co. will be banking on Karn's experience and hope he has an admirable season with the ball.

Alzarri Joseph holds the record for the best figures by a bowler in IPL history. He finished with figures of 6/12 against Sunrisers Hyderabad while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. However, his overall record in the league hasn't been great. In 19 IPL matches, he has picked up 20 wickets at an economy rate of 9.19. However, he has done relatively well in T20Is, having bagged 35 wickets from 22 matches at an economy rate of 8.89.

Mohammed Siraj will have to spearhead the attack once again. He is a much-improved T20 bowler now and on his day, he has the ability to dismantle batting lineups on his own. The 30-year-old has the experience of playing 79 IPL games and he has taken 78 wickets at an average of 29.82. Last season, he scalped 19 wickets from 14 matches at an average of 19.79 and an economy rate of 7.52. If Siraj fires on all cylinders, RCB will stand in good stead.

Vijaykumar Vyshak impressed fans as well as experts with his ability to bowl a wide variety of slower deliveries last year. He conceded runs at 10.54 but picked up nine wickets in seven games. On the Chepauk track, which tends to be a little slow, Vyshak's variety could come in handy.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Purple Cap

RCB Predicted Playing XI:

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, Cameron Green, Mayank Dagar, Karn Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyshak