IPL 2023: Match 15, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Predicted Playing XI vs Lucknow Super Giants

Following a resounding victory in their campaign opener against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) succumbed to a damaging defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Faf du Plessis' side completely lost the plot in the match despite making a solid start in the first innings. 

The Bangalore-based franchise had their opponents pinned in the corner after a brilliant bowling display in the first half of the first innings. However, Shardul Thakur's scathing assault threw a spanner in their plans as the home side posted a daunting total of 204 runs on the board. The RCB pacers did not help their cause either, dishing out 23 extras in the match.

While it would have taken some batting effort to chase the stiff total set by their opponents, RCB's meek surrender against the KKR spinners made for an embarrassing viewing. They barely managed to breach the 100-run mark during the chase, failing to play out their full quota of 20 overs. Faf du Plessis will hope for a quick turnaround from his side when they host the high-flying Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next outing.

Here's Royal Challengers Bangalore's predicted XI against Lucknow Super Giants:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis continued his form from the last encounter against Mumbai Indians when he took down veteran Kiwi pacer Tim Southee in the powerplay. However, the Proteas' batting ace was completely undone by Varun Chakaravarthy's wrong one, which rattled his stumps, a carbon copy dismissal to that of his opening partner.

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli was looking into the groove as he stitched a brisk opening stand with his skipper at the other end, chasing a daunting total set by the home side. But Kohli's stay at the crease was ended by Sunil Narine, who drew first blood for his side inside the powerplay. 

Middle Order: Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk)

RCB's batting line-up was completely exposed against the guile and craft of the KKR spinners in the previous match and it is likely the team management will strengthen the middle order by including the talented Mahipal Lomror in the starting eleven. The young Indian batter has had a decent run in domestic cricket and will look to translate that form in the IPL as well.

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik's Indian Premier League 2023 campaign is yet to take off as the explosive batter failed with the bat for a second consecutive match for the Bangalore-based franchise. Karthik was dismissed by young spinner Suyash Sharma while trying an expansive shot.

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, David Willey

Big things were expected from star Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell when he joined the RCB camp after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an injury. However, the explosive batter has not been able to live up to his usual high standards so far. He was another RCB batter who failed to thwart the KKR spinners in a horrendous batting performance.

Michael Bracewell was one of the only better performers for the Men in Red and Gold in an otherwise forgetful outing. The Kiwi all-rounder chipped in with a wicket with the ball and also tried to stitch together some sort of a partnership in a losing cause.

It was a dream start for English all-rounder David Willey in his side's clash against KKR as the left-arm seamer was on a hat-trick in his first match of the tournament. Willey's exploits with the new ball was on full display as the English pacer finished with amazing bowling figures of 2/16 in his four overs. 

Bowlers: Shahbaz Ahmed, Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj

Shahbaz Ahmed finally got a chance to bowl for RCB in the IPL 2023 clash against KKR. However, he was afforded just one over despite giving away just six runs in his solitary over. He was powerless against the guile of the KKR spinners as he was dismissed by Sunil Narine.

Karn Sharma has made a tremendous start in the tournament for RCB as the cunning leg-spinner broke the back of KKR's batting innings with the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the hard-hitting Andre Russell on consecutive deliveries. 

It was another forgetful outing for Harshal Patel as the RCB medium pacer was taken to the cleaners by Shardul Thakur and Rinku Singh. He leaked 38 runs in his three overs despite grabbing the prized scalp of Rinku Singh. His form will hold the key for the Bangalore-based franchise as the tournament progresses.

Another RCB bowler who wouldn't want to revisit the clash against KKR was star Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj. The young fast-bowling sensation, who was imperious in the opening clash against MI, leaked 44 runs in his four overs which included seven wides and one no-ball.

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

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), David Willey, Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj

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

Suyash Prabhudessai, Anuj Rawat, Avinash Singh, Mahipal Lomror, Siddarth Kaul