IPL 2022: Match 54 – Predicted Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have six victories in 11 league matches and are at fourth position in the IPL 2022 points table. They need to win a minimum of two out of the remaining three fixtures to reach the playoffs. After suffering three losses on the trot, they made a comeback by securing a victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their last fixture.

RCB posted a total of 173 on the board, on the back of a strong start by the openers and the middle order providing a late flourish. Then, most of the bowlers were clinical with their performance to hand a 13-run victory to the team. In their next league match, they will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and are not likely to make a change in their winning combination.

Here’s a look at the Royal Challengers Bangalore predicted XI against SRH:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c) and Virat Kohli

Two of the finest players in the IPL since the last decade, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli have been the opening duo of RCB for the last three matches. After an average show in the first two, they stitched a stand of 62 runs in the latest outing, which helped the team to get a much-needed victory as well.

Faf has garnered 316 runs in 11 innings at an average of 28.72, with a top score of 96. However, he has been rather inconsistent with his contributions on most occasions. In the last fixture, he returned with 38 off 22 balls and would wish to continue the good form.

On the other hand, the former RCB captain Kohli has 216 runs in 11 innings at an average of 21.60. His last two knocks are read as 58 and 30 and he has gradually returned to form and will play a key role for the team.

Middle-order: Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror

The middle-order will be a key force if the openers fail to provide a good start to the team. The youngster Rajat Patidar has provided his contribution in the last two league matches and is looking in good touch after his inclusion in the team. In total, he has scored 89 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 141.26.

Another talented batter, Mahipal Lomror has been impressive with his ball-striking abilities. In the last fixture, he smashed 42 off 27 balls, with three fours and two sixes. The southpaw has featured in two fixtures and has 58 runs to his name.

The experienced wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik helped the team to win the initial matches with his composure in crunch moments. After a few quiet games in the middle, he scored 26* off 17 balls in the last outing to provide a late flourish to the team, which proved to be the difference in the end.

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed

The all-rounder bracket of RCB has done well on most occasions in the ongoing season and is in fine form. The contributions of Glenn Maxwell and Shahbaz Ahmed in both departments play an important role in the outcome of the match.

In eight innings, Maxwell has garnered 160 runs at an impressive strike rate of 175.82, with a top score of 55. He has picked up three wickets as well with an economy of 6.92. In the last game, the Aussie cricketer bowled his full quota of overs and finished with 2/22.

The youngster Shahbaz Ahmed comes into a crucial situation and changes the equation of a match. In 11 appearances, Ahmed has 198 runs at an average of 28.28 and has taken three wickets as well.

Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood

The team has a decent bowling attack, comprising a couple of key members of their respective international sides, and can absorb pressure well. The Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has got opportunities in every match and has scalped 16 wickets at an economy of 8.21.

The pacer Harshal Patel finished with 3/35 in the last league fixture and contained the opposition in the death overs. In total, he has 13 wickets to his name in 10 appearances at an economy of 7.78. His partner Mohammed Siraj has been average throughout the tournament and has only eight wickets in 11 matches, at an expensive economy of 9.47.

The Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood returned to form by picking up an important wicket of MS Dhoni and giving away only 19 runs in the last game. He has been intelligent with his back-of-a-length deliveries, which have fetched the team, all-important dot balls. In seven matches, he has picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.2.

RCB’s predicted playing XI for the SRH clash: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood.