Jacob Bethell To Replace Tim David? RCB's Probable XI vs DC

RCB's Probable XI vs DC [Source: @88Brooky, @RCBTweets/x.com]

The Bengaluru boys are flying high and how! Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have hit the ground running in IPL 2025 with three wins from their first four games.

They are bossing the field and their batters are firing on all cylinders. Next up? A clash with Delhi Capitals on Thursday, April 10 at their fortress.

With RCB riding the momentum wave, getting the playing XI right could be the final piece in this puzzle. So let’s decode what their XI could look like as they get ready to lock horns with DC in IPL 2025.

Phil Salt And Virat Kohli To Open The Show; Devdutt Padikkal To Hold No. 3

The opening combo looks set in stone. While Phil Salt hasn’t exactly torn the roof off in the last couple of games, one big knock is all it takes to swing the tide in T20s. The England dasher has the firepower, it’s just about finding the rhythm.

And then there is King Kohli. When the man is in form, bowlers start sweating even before the toss. His 67 vs MI last game was all class, all intent. With 164 runs already under his belt this season and a strike rate that is ticking along nicely, Kohli is going to be key up top once again.

Padikkal has been batting with intent. While the big score hasn't arrived just yet, he hs got 78 runs in four matches at a brisk strike rate of 159. That’s not a number to sleep on. He is due a fifty, and Delhi could be at the receiving end if he gets going.

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Middle Order Solid With Patidar, Livingstone, Jitesh And David

Table - Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma and Tim David IPL 2025 Stats

Captain Rajat Patidar has been in beast mode. With 161 runs at a strike rate of 175, he has been RCB’s anchor and aggressor rolled into one. Expect him to keep steering the ship in the middle overs.

Liam Livingstone has shown glimpses of his power, but it’s time to cash in. The England powerhouse hasn’t fired just yet, but with his kind of muscle, don’t be surprised if he tees off in style.

And then there is Jitesh Sharma, RCB’s pocket rocket. His 40 off 19 against MI was brutal. He has got the finishing role covered and with Tim David by his side, there is enough firepower to close out innings with a bang.

There is always the tempting option of bringing in Jacob Bethell, solid striker and a handy bowler but unless they want an extra spin option, David will retain his place.

Table - Jacob Bethell T20 Stats

Krunal Pandya And Pace Trio To Lead Bowling Charge

Table - Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal IPL 2025 Stats

Krunal Pandya was ice-cold under pressure in the last game. Bowling that final over against MI and defending 19 runs was brilliant. He has already picked up 7 wickets in 4 matches, and more importantly, he is keeping things tight in the middle overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has only 3 wickets to his name so far, but don’t let that fool you. He has been miserly with the ball, giving away just 8.27 per over.

Hazlewood is breathing fire with the ball 8 wickets in 4 games. His back-of-length stuff, sharp lines and ability to choke runs at the death are doing wonders. And Yash Dayal has quietly done his job too with 5 wickets, showing he’s got the temperament to handle pressure.

RCB’s Probable XI vs DC

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Swastik Chikara, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh

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