IPL 2020: Match 48, MI vs RCB – RCB Predicted Playing XI

Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Mumbai Indians in one of the most competitive clashes of IPL 2020. Both the sides have won seven games each and they are sitting comfortably on the top of the table. RCB have had a decent season this time and they would like to seal their playoffs spot with a win against MI.

The game is at the Abu Dhabi, the most sporting venue of the tournament. As RCB have lost their last game against CSK they would like to play as per their potential this time to dominate the defending champions. Bangalore have quite a settled and balanced side but Mumbai is expected to provide great competition.

Here is the predicted XI of RCB for Match 48, MI vs RCB:-

Openers (Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal)

Aaron Finch’s disappointing season has continued as the Victorian batsman has scored only one fifty in IPL 2020. Despite getting starts in most of the games, he hasn’t built it up to a big knock and RCB would want the experienced campaigner to step up and perform as per his reputation. Padikkal hasn’t been in form in the last few games and he would like to break free this time.

Middle Order (Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali and Gurkeerat Singh)

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers stitched a partnership in the last game and they looked comfortable in the middle as well. However, both would want to play at a better scoring rate this time as Mumbai has a very strong batting order. RCB’s run-rate is the lowest in the middle overs and it can be concerning in the playoffs.

Moeen Ali will feature as a batting all-rounder. He is a solid force in the middle order with the ability to hit big shots, and his bowling is equally effective in the middle overs as well. Gurkeerat Singh Mann has played as a floater to provide extra batsman to the RCB line-up.

All-rounders (Chris Morris and Washington Sundar)

As RCB is playing an extra batsman in Moeen Ali, the role of Chris Morris and Washington Sundar will become more important while bowling. Morris will play a significant role in death overs along with his new-ball heroics. Sundar will again be seen bowling in the powerplay as MI has two left-handed openers.

Bowlers (Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal)

Navdeep Saini’s injury is not a good sign for RCB at the business end of the tournament. If his finger injury rules him out of this game, Umesh Yadav could fill in for him. Mohammed Siraj should continue the role of bowling with the new ball. Yuzvendra Chahal is their leading wicket-taker and he should continue his magic in the middle overs.