RCB players celebrate a wicket against DC (IPLT20.COM)
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fell eight runs short of their target against the Chennai Super Kings at home earlier this week. Their recent loss marked their third defeat in the past four games, as they continue to capitulate their dominant start to the season.
Currently placed at number eight on the IPL 2023 points table, Faf du Plessis and co. will be aiming to reboot their campaign with a string of wins in the coming weeks. Their next assignment features an away fixture, as they are scheduled to face the Punjab Kings in Mohali on April 20.
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Ahead of the much-awaited contest, here at OneCricket we predict RCB’s strongest starting XI, along with five impact players.
Openers
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis
Virat Kohli has registered three fifty-plus scores in the five innings he has turned up so far this season. Meanwhile, his captain and opening partner Faf du Plessis is also enjoying a purple patch, as he has thumped 259 runs at an average of 65, with three half-centuries to his name.
Middle Order
Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell was utilised as RCB’s number three earlier in the season, but to no avail. However, the all-rounder remains a force to be reckoned with, considering not long ago, he hammered a 78-ball 140 in an ODI match in India.
Mahipal Lomror
Mahipal Lomror struck a match-winning 26 against Delhi Capitals, before returning with a five-ball duck against CSK in a stiff run-chase. Despite his recent failure, the youngster will likely get an extensive run this season owing to his batting brilliance in this year’s Ranji Trophy and overall T20 track record.
Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell in action in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.COM)
Glenn Maxwell came up trumps against CSK with a 36-ball 76 in a big run-chase. However, his dismissal triggered a batting collapse that led them eight runs within their target. The all-rounder also hammered a 29-ball 59 against LSG earlier in the season.
Shahbaz Ahmed
Shahbaz Ahmed’s striking brilliance, coupled with his left-arm spin provides an additional bowling option for his skipper. Moreover, his 12-ball 20* with the bat against Delhi Capitals helped RCB accelerate their innings in the death overs.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik returned to form against CSK with a 14-ball 28. While his innings turned out to be insufficient for his side in the run-chase, it may have served as a confidence booster for him going ahead in the tournament.
Bowlers
David Willey
David Willey conceded just 16 runs off his four overs against KKR, in an innings where the Nitish Rana-led side mounted 204-7 upfront. The Englishman also scored an unbeaten 20 with the bat later in the run-chase. Willey, who has only played two games so far in the season, might get another crack for the RCB against Punjab Kings.
Akash Deep
Akash Deep’s pace and bounce might come in handy on Mohali wicket. The speedster is also capable of striking big with the bat in the death overs.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel after dismissing CSK's Devon Conway (IPLT20.COM)
RCB’s strike bowler Harshal Patel has claimed at least a wicket in each of his side’s five fixtures this season. With six wickets to his name this year, the cricketer remains RCB prime choice for the death overs.
Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has trapped eight victims so far in five matches, and is currently one of the leading wicket-takers of the season. The veteran pacer recently delivered a match-winning spell against Delhi Capitals.
Impact Players
Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva
Wayne Parnell
Suyash Prabhudessai
Anuj Rawat
Vijaykumar Vyshak
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