IPL 2021: Match 16 – RCB vs RR – Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side has been in ‘red hot’ form in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) thus far. The Virat Kohli led outfit has won all the 3 matches that they have played in the 14th edition of the IPL, and are comfortably placed at the top of the points table.

In their previous encounter, the Royal Challengers royally crushed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side by 38 runs. All in all, the ‘Men in Red’ are looking menacing on the field. Next up, they will clash against the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) side on 22nd April 2021. So, let us delve into the predicted playing XI for the RCB side for their match against the Rajasthan Royals outfit.

Openers- Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal

Batting icon Virat Kohli and youngster Devdutt Padikkal are expected to wield the blade at the top of the order for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side. Kohli has been in decent form in this season of the IPL. The right-hander has got starts in 2 out of the 3 innings that he has played thus far in the 14th IPL edition. The RCB skipper has scored 71 runs in 3 innings in IPL 2021. In RCB’s previous match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kohli could score just 5 runs.

Devdutt Padikkal scored a sedate 25 in RCB’s clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Bangalore side would need Kohli and Padikkal to lay a solid platform at the top of the order for the other batsmen to capitalize on.

Middle Order- Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers

Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers will form a lethal middle order for the Bangalore side. And, both these behemoths ripped apart the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling attack on 18th April 2021. Glenn Maxwell was in scintillating form and scored a belligerent 78 off just 49 deliveries.

And, AB de Villiers absolutely pounded the Eoin Morgan led side. The batting legend scored a pulsating 76* at a strike rate of 223.53 to help the Bangalore side amass a total of 204/4 on the board in their previous match. The Rajasthan outfit will surely be wary of the destruction that both de Villiers and Maxwell can cause with the willow.

All Rounders- Daniel Sams, Shahbaz Ahmed, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson

For the rubber against Rajasthan Royals (RR), the 4 all-rounders who are likely to walk onto the field for RCB are Daniel Sams, Shahbaz Ahmed, Washington Sundar, and Kyle Jamieson. Sams has reportedly recovered from Covid-19 and is expected to take the field in the encounter against the Sanju Samson-led side.

And, Shahbaz Ahmed has been impressive with the ball in the 2021 edition of the IPL. The left-arm spinner has scalped 3 wickets in as many matches this season. In fact, it was Ahmed who played a key role in RCB’s victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad side on 14th April 2021 with his crafty left-arm spin. Also, Washington Sundar scalped a solitary wicket for the RCB side in their previous match.

And finally, Kyle Jamieson too picked up 3 crucial wickets for the ‘Men in Red’ in the clash against the Kolkata outfit. The RCB side surely has some quality all-rounders in its armory.

Bowlers- Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj

Yet again, Harshal Patel put up an impressive show with the ball in hand in the match between Bangalore and Kolkata. The right-arm pacer bowled 4 overs, gave away only 17 runs, and also scalped 2 wickets. In fact, Patel is currently the Purple Cap holder and has picked up a total of 9 wickets in the 3 matches that he has played so far.

Yuzvendra Chahal was also among the wickets in RCB’s previous rubber. Even though the leg spinner gave away 34 runs in his quota of 4 overs, he picked up 2 wickets with the ball in hand. And, Mohammed Siraj did a neat job too. Even though he did not scalp a wicket, Siraj bowled an economic spell, giving away 17 runs in his 3 overs, and continuously put the opposition batsmen under pressure by bowling tight lines.