IPL 2022: Qualifier 2 – Predicted Royal Challengers Bangalore XI vs Rajasthan Royals

Royal Challengers Bangalore are looking to end their trophy drought this year as they are ready to lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on 27 May 2022. RCB are coming off an emphatic 14-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator.

Rajat Patidar was the star of the show as he scored his maiden IPL hundred and helped RCB to put a total of 207 runs in 20 overs. In reply, LSG Skipper KL Rahul tried his level best to chase it down but fell 14 runs short of RCB’s total. The RCB Management is not expected to make any changes to this XI as it can hamper the winning combination in this crucial match. Notably, the winner of Qualifier 2 will face Gujarat Titans in the final.

Here’s a look at the Royal Challenger’s Bangalore’s predicted playing XI against RR:

Openers: Faf du Plessis (Captain) and Virat Kohli

This stylish opening pair will look to provide a solid start to their innings in the powerplay overs. A good start can provide the much-needed foundation for middle-order batters to flourish afterwards.

Faf du Plessis has bagged 443 runs so far in 15 innings at an average of 31.64 while Virat has managed to score 334 runs in the same number of innings at an average of 23.86. The RCB skipper will look to add more runs to his tally in this upcoming fixture, as he is coming off with a golden duck in the Eliminator.

RCB management will hope that Virat will explode in these big stages, as he is getting into the groove lately in the tournament. Virat scored 25 runs off 24 balls in the Eliminator before losing his wicket to Avesh Khan.

Middle Order: Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (Wicket Keeper), and Mahipal Lomror

Rajat Patidar has settled himself in the no.3 position for the RCB XI by scoring some crucial runs with a strike of 156.25. He smashed his maiden IPL ton in the Eliminator game against LSG, scoring an unbeaten 112 off 54 balls. Overall, he has scored 275 runs in six innings at an average of 55.

Karthik has been the go-to man for RCB this year, whenever the team has been found in a critical situation. While batting down the order, he has scored 324 runs in 15 matches so far at an average of 64.8 with a strike rate of 187.28. RCB management will hope that DK continues his spark in two innings more. Even, in the Eliminator, he smashed a quickfire unbeaten 37 runs off 23 balls with five fours and one six included.

Mahipal Lomror only has 78 runs in four innings but has managed to deliver some crucial cameos when it mattered. His strike rate of 165.95 has impressed the RCB management and the dasher always looked good when he got opportunities for batting.

All Rounders: Glenn Maxwell and Shahbaz Ahmed

Glenn Maxwell has contributed with both the bat and ball whenever the team has needed him. So far, he has 277 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 167.87. He has also grabbed six wickets so far with his off-spin. RCB Management will hope for a “Big Show” from him in these coming matches.

Meanwhile, Shahbaz Ahmed has been the floater of this team as RCB have brilliantly utilized his all-around abilities. Coming to his numbers, the southpaw has so far scored 207 runs in 10 innings, along with four crucial breakthroughs in crunchy match situations.

Shahbaz did not have a good outing in the last match while Maxwell also failed to contribute with the bat against LSG in Eliminator. So, both these players will look to bring back their A-game to help RCB.

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

Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is the leading wicket-taker for RCB this season with 25 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 7.62. He is in contention for the Purple Cap as he is just one wicket behind the former RCB player, Yuzvendra Chahal (26 wickets in 15 matches). It will be a great battle when both of them face each other in Qualifier 2.

Harshal Patel has 19 wickets in his bag in 14 matches this year, also he continues to enjoy the role of a death bowling specialist. Meanwhile, Siraj will look to improve his economy as batters have looked to target him among all the bowlers. RCB management will certainly bank on Harshal to continue his magic as he had in Eliminator (25/1 in four overs).

Josh Hazlewood has been the perfect partner for Harshal Patel with 18 wickets in this year’s IPL so far. In Eliminator, he went for 43 runs but still picked up crucial three wickets when it mattered most.

RCB’s predicted playing XI for the RR 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.