IPL 2022: Match 67 – Predicted Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are at the fifth position in the points table with seven wins in 13 league matches of Indian Premier League 2022. In their last league match, Punjab Kings (PBKS) smashed the bowlers all around the park to hit 209.

In reply, the team could score only 155 and lost the match by 54 runs. In their last league game, RCB will be up against the table-toppers Gujarat Titans (GT). They will have to win this game in order to stay alive in the pkayoff race. The team management is not expected to make any changes, as they are playing with a settled squad and would not look to invite instability in an important league match.

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

Openers: Faf du Plessis (c) and Virat Kohli

One of the finest opening pairs in the tournament has been able to click together on very few occasions. In this crucial fixture, they have to use their experience well and guide the team well in the powerplay overs.

Captain Faf du Plessis has 399 runs in 13 innings at an average of 33.25 and a strike rate of 132.56. Faf’s last three innings have fetched him a total of 121 runs and surely he is in a good space of mind.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli has 236 runs in 13 innings at an average of 19.67, with his top score being 58. His ability to pierce the gaps and convert the starts into a big one has been missed this season and the veteran batter will look to rise on this occasion.

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

Coming at number three, Rajat Patidar has looked confident with his abilities and has 163 runs in five appearances at an average of 32.60, with a striker rate of 133.61. In the last game, he contributed 26 off 21 and will be the key player to steer the team or provide acceleration.

The experienced campaigner, Dinesh Karthik has been terrific with his finishing abilities to provide a flourish to the team in the final overs. In 13 matches, Karthik has 285 runs at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 192.57, and he will be the backbone of the middle-order.

Mahipal Lomror has 64 runs in four appearances at a strike rate of 168.42, and has been successful in hitting a long ball on four occasions. Although, he could score only six in the last outing, he would look to do better in this league match.

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell and Shahbaz Ahmed

The all-rounders of RCB have come to the party with their fine performances in both departments of the game, especially with the bat. The experienced Aussie cricketer, Glenn Maxwell has slammed 228 runs in this season at a strike rate of 166.42, and has five wickets with the ball as well.

In the last game, he scored 35 off 22 balls and picked a single wicket. His contribution was vital for the team to keep their net run-rate close to their opposition’s, in order to gain advantage in the qualification for the playoffs.

The left-handed batter and an useful spinner, Shahbaz Ahmed has 207 runs and four wickets in the ongoing season. In the last game, he went for 40 and took one wicket in four overs and was dismissed for nine. His performance certainly hs some scope of improvement.

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

The bowling department which has a sufficient experience in this format will be biggest hope for the team management in this fixture. Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is the team’s leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 7.49. In the last game, he returned with 2/15 in four overs and would be confident of his abilities.

The leading wicket-taker in the previous edition, Harshal Patel finished with best performance of 4/34 in the last game and will hold the key in the death overs. On the other hand, Mohammed Siraj was struck 36 runs in two overs and will have to be proficient with his line-lengths in this game.

The Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has 13 wickets in nine appearances. However, after the opposition smacked him for 64 runs off four overs in the last game, he will remain under pressure and will have to maintain composure to secure a victory for the team.

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