IPL 2022: Match 60 – Predicted Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI vs Punjab Kings

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have seven victories in 12 league matches and are currently at the fourth position in the IPL 2022 points table. They need at least one more win to confirm their qualification for the playoffs. In their last league game, the Royal Challengers won by 67 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

RCB had posted a score of 192 on the board, on the back of an anchor role from the captain and some fine hitting from the middle-order. Additionally, the bowlers continued the momentum to restrict the opposition. In their next league game, they will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. For this game, they are expected to play with the same winning combination.

Here’s a look at the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s predicted playing XI against PBKS:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c) and Virat Kohli

The opening duo of RCB is one of the experienced pairs in the IPL. However, both of them have failed to be consistent enough with their performances. Although Faf du Plessis has done well on most occasions, the form of Virat Kohli is a worrying sign for the team. If they want to win the remaining games and reach the playoffs, both these players will have to step up and deliver for their team.

Faf has 389 runs in 12 innings and is currently fourth in the list of highest run-scorers this season. In the last game, he slammed 73* off 50 balls, comprising eight fours and two sixes, and played a key role for the team in putting up a strong total on the board.

On the other hand, Kohli has 216 runs at an average of 19.63, with a top score of 58 coming at a cost of 53 balls. In the last league game, he registered his third golden duck of the season. His ability to steer the team and stitch partnerships has certainly been absent so far in the tournament.

Middle-order: Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (wk) and Mahipal Lomror

The middle-order of the team has been rock solid with their performances to revive them from trouble and keep the team’s scoreboard ticking at a sublime rate. Their confidence has helped the team to be in good stead in most difficult situations as well. The youngster Rajat Patidar has been prolific with a contribution of 137 runs in four innings, at a strike rate of 135.64, with a top score of 52.

In the last league game, Patidar garnered 48 runs off 38 balls, with four fours and two sixes. Another talented batter Mahipal Lomror has 58 runs at a strike rate of 165.71. Whenever given a chance, he has returned with explosive performances to provide a late flourish in the final few overs.

The calm and composed wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has been flawless in the ongoing season and has been able to strike the balls in a very clean manner. In the last outing, he slammed an unbeaten 30 off eight balls, with one four and four massive sixes. In total, Karthik has 274 runs at a strike rate of 200.

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell and Shahbaz Ahmed

The all-rounders have played a pivotal role for RCB this season in terms of their contributions in crunch moments of the game. If ever they have been unable to provide contributions in one of the departments, they have done well in the other one.

Glenn Maxwell has 193 runs in nine innings, with a top score of 55 and also has four wickets to his name. In the last league game, he scored 33 off 24 and also finished with figures of 1/13 off his two overs.

Shahbaz Ahmed has 198 runs at a strike rate of 124.52 and has been calculative with his approach this season. With the ball, he has scalped three wickets at an expensive economy of 9.17. The southpaw has been impressive against the right-handed batters with his arm balls.

Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood

The bowling unit of RCB was terrific with their performances in the last league game and will be confident of their abilities. The Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga finished with 5/18 off four overs and opened the floodgates of the opposition. He is certainly in his best form in the ongoing season and has scalped a total of 21 wickets at an economy of 7.85.

The fast bowling unit has been inconsistent, but has done well in the last two matches. The Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood has bagged 13 wickets in eight appearances at an economy of 6.81. In the last outing, he picked up two wickets and gave away only 17 runs.

Harshal Patel has picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches, while Mohammed Siraj has only eight wickets in 12 appearances. Both the bowlers have not displayed their natural wicket-taking form and need an improvement in their performances.

RCB’s predicted playing XI for the PBKS clash: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood.