Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam (Source: @RCBTweets/X.com)
On the back of two strong performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side are at second position on the table. With two wins in three games, the Bengaluru-based team have accumulated four points to their name so far.
However, after starting out on a high with two consecutive wins, they lost their previous game against the Gujarat Titans badly by eight wickets and 13 deliveries to spare, as they couldn't defend 170.
Now, in the hope of returning to winning ways, RCB will be looking to set their combination right against the giants of the IPL, Mumbai Indians (MI), whom they're going to face in the upcoming clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
RCB's Playing XI In the Last Match vs GT
Here's a look at the RCB's playing XI from their last game against GT, where they lost the game by eight wickets.
Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Player: Rasikh Dar Salam
Expected Changes In RCB's Playing XI
The RCB side batted first and posted 169 against Gujarat Titans on the back of an excellent batting performance by Liam Livingstone, who smashed 54, while Jitesh Sharma and Tim David's death-over exploits of 33 and 32, respectively, helped them put a decent total on the board.
However, with contributions coming from the middle order, the opening batting order of Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal failed badly, as they lost their first three wickets for just 35. Moreover, Kunal Pandya wasn't able to fire, scoring only five runs.
Additionally, the biggest problem for them last game was the departure of their skipper, Rajat Patidar, for just 12, after previously smashing a blazing half-century against Chennai Super Kings.
Jacob Bethell To Make His Debut?
Although they don't have many Indian options to replace their batting core, the only player who could get a chance to bat in the eleven could be English middle-order batter Jacob Bethell, who could be slotted in to take control of the innings as he can perform both big hitting and provide an anchor in the middle when required.
While Livingstone, David, and Hazlewood have performed well so far, Phil Salt has been decent enough, too, with two good scores in the first two games, but going forward, Bethell could be a viable option for the RCB side, if and when they require a replacement for a foreign slot.
Adding to this, Romario Shepherd is also another great all-rounder who can chip in with his four overs of medium-pace bowling and variations, when combined with his death-overs hitting ability.
Suyash Sharma To Return?
The RCB bowlers are doing fine enough, but Rasikh Salam who came in as an impact substitute in two of the games, bowled three overs each while giving 35 runs apiece in both the matches, and managing to pick a single wicket so far, could be a problem in the coming games. He's been a touch expensive, considering the pacer has leaked runs at an economy of 11.66.
Whereas Suyash Sharma, the leg spinner, who has only featured in two games until now this season, was expensive in the first match against Kolkata, but came back strongly against CSK, delivering 4 overs for 32 runs, however, without a wicket.
With the pitch in Wankhede mostly assisting the pacers, Suyash could only get a look-in if it turns slow during the game. Then, RCB can utilize their impact substitute option wisely, by including the leg spinner instead of Rasikh Salam, who bowls medium pace. Rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal alongside Krunal Pandya are all doing brilliantly with the ball.
RCB's Probable XI vs MI
Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Players: Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh
.jpg?type=mq?im=Resize=(250, 250) "Arnav Chopra")
