IPL 2018: Match 53, RR vs RCB- Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted XI

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been on a rampage having comprehensively won their last three matches. The team found themselves in dire straits after losing a string of games. However, they have been phenomenal and have managed to soar above expectations. They made a number of changes in the lineup and almost all of them faltered.

Nevertheless, Virat Kohli & Co. didn’t lose their calm and somehow managed to keep themselves in contention for a berth in the playoffs. In our article, we take you through their potential lineup in their do-or-die match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Openers (Virat Kohli (C), Parthiv Patel (wk))

Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel are the likely openers. Both batsmen have been in decent touch and have been scoring runs on a consistent basis. Kohli opened in the last two matches in order to get quick runs for his team. He faltered in the last match against SRH and will be keen to make amends and get a handy knock under his belt in RCB’s last league match.

Patel was drafted in place of Quinton de Kock and the wicketkeeper-batsman hasn’t flattered to deliver thus far. He has been given the responsibility to take his team to flying starts and he rarely has let them down. The franchise will be hoping for the pocket size dynamite to smash the leather inside the field restriction and give them the ascendancy.

Middle-order (AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan)

The middle-order has the likes of AB de Villiers who can be destructive on his day. He notched his fifth half-century the other night against SRH and also fielded brilliantly. Moreover, the South African cricketer took a stupendous catch at the deep-midwicket boundary to dismiss Alex Hales. He was rightfully adjudged as the Player of the Match and needs to carry forward his form against RR as well.

Mandeep Singh has turned out to be an integral part of their lower-middle order chipping in with some useful scores and that has been a major factor for the team to be able to rack up big runs. Sarfaraz Khan also played a breezy cameo last time around, and that will make life easier for him as well as the team.

All-rounders (Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee)

Moeen Ali came at number four against the Sunrisers and the decision to demote him paid dividends. The Englishman raced away to his maiden half-century in double quick-time and laid the platform for a blistering finish. His skills as an off-spinner have also been effective. He nipped out the vital scalp of Hales while being fairly economical in his spell.

Colin de Grandhomme’s medium pace has been hard to decipher, barring yesterday night when he leaked a few runs. The New Zealand cricketer was stupendous with the willow at the Chinnaswamy and has to deliver in the last game. Tim Southee was roped in as a replacement for Chris Woakes and he hasn’t floundered thus far, either with bat and ball.

Bowlers (Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal)

The bowling lineup is a formidable one. Umesh Yadav is their leading wicket-taker and batsmen have found his pace and bounce a concerning factor to deal with. The fast-bowler has had a superb season and he will be keen to rattle the Royals in Jaipur. Mohammed Siraj has picked up some important wickets, bowled with a plan and thus hasn’t spent a lot of runs which has helped his team restrict the opponents.

Yuzvendra Chahal is gradually finding his rhythm and the franchise will hope for their premier spinner to make inroads into the Royals’ depleted batting lineup. Tim Southee, Moeen Ali and de Grandhomme’s prowess also need to come to the fore. If all the players manage to repeat their performance from the last few games RCB will make a dream entry into the playoffs.

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