Predicted XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore for Match 9 of IPL 2023

image-lg3kyn6cKohli scored an exceptional 82* vs MI (AP Photo)

After handing a beating to the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will face the Knights from Kolkata at their den in the Eden Gardens. The rivalry between Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has of late emerged as one of the preparations for, with the former getting an edge over the opposition.

However, one can not predict the result of a T20 game can be definite. But what we can predict is the Playing XI of the Royal Challengers for the contest against KKR. 


Here's the predicted XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Kolkata Knight Riders

Openers

Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis

The opening partnership of the RCB captain and the former team skipper single-handedly bagged a victory in their season-opener, amassing 148 runs between them, meaning the team management won't even be thinking of changing their openers. 

However, they have fetched a headache after their hero from last season, Rajat Patidar, got ruled out. Having said that, RCB played without the injury batter in their season-opener, which hints at them retaining the same openers.


Middle Order Batters

Dinesh Karthik, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Michael Bracewell & David Willey

Determining RCB's batting order would be a complex puzzle to solve, with the Faf du Plessis-led unit having no particular number 3 batter. They might gamble with Karthik batting one down with the tournament just begun. But RCB does have a problem of plenty for various names fighting for that one slot. Most likely, the team in Red and Gold will be going with DK if an early wicket falls, but they can also send in a pinch-hitter.

If DK bats at number 3, which is most certain, then the stumper will follow Maxwell, Bracewell, Shahbaz, and Willey.


Bowlers

Harshal Patel Karn Sharma, Akash Singh & Mohammed Siraj

After Reece Topley got hurt in the last fixture, RCB's already frail bowling becomes more vulnerable. This means the bowlers that played on Sunday will have a huge responsibility - of not leaking runs in phases - in their hands.

Maxwell, Willey, Bracewell and Shahbaz are off whom the Bangalore team will look to take 8-10 overs out. Meanwhile, Siraj, Harshal, Akash and Karn must accountably bowl their quota of overs.

Heading into this fixture, RCB's biggest weakness would be how they bowl in the death overs.


Five Impact Players

Bangalore could also field a Suyash Prabhudessai or Mahipal Lamror as their Impact Player if a case of vulnerability. However, Anuj Rawat, Sonu Yadav and Finn Allen would be the three other Impact Player substitutes apart. 

  • Suyash Prabhudessai
  • Mahipal Lamror
  • Anuj Rawat
  • Sonu Yadav
  • Finn Allen