After losing in the recent match versus the Rajasthan Royals and languishing in the bottom half of the points table,RCB will look to go on a winning streak from now on ,if they have chances of making it into the play offs.
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OPENERS:
Parthiv Patel
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was a key player in the Mumbai Indians’ squad from 2015 to 2017, opening the batting for them for all three seasons. He formed a formidable partnership with Lendl Simmons and Jos Buttler and gave the Indians a good start on a number of occasions.He will most likely come into the team in place of De Kock who has looked out of sorts in the IPL.
Brendon McCullum
Brendan McCullum has been in poor form this season and RCB’s chances this year hinges a lot on how Baz gives them a fast start which he has failed to give in the recent matches.Teams have identified him to be vulnerable against spin and usually start the innings with spinners.
MIDDLE ORDER:
Virat Kohli
Skipper Virat Kohli, irrespective of the situation, will walk in at number three. Chasing a target well above 200,Kohli scored a quick fire 57 off 30 balls but got out at crucial junction in the match, he will be looking to get his team through in this match.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers has undoubtedly been RCB’s best middle-order batsman since he joined the side in 2011. He has single-handedly taken RCB to numerous victories over the years and produced some breathtaking knocks along the way.He has been off colour in last two matches for RCB and thus has hurt RCB a lot.
Mandeep Singh
In a team with the likes of Kohli, De Villiers, McCullum, Mandeep has been the most consistent of RCB batsmen and providing the finishing touches to innings which RCB have missed in the previous editions of the IPL.
Sarfaraz Khan
After losing his side to Pawan Negi in the last match, he is likely to get his place back in the side after Negi failed to impress either with his bowling or batting.
ALL ROUNDERS:
Colin de Grandhomme
De Grandhomme could be added into the middle order, after the Bangalore bowlers were thrashed all over the park by Samson.De Grandhomme will also bring in the much needed fire power lower down the order required in chasing huge totals.
Washington Sundar
He will continue to carry on his good form both with the bat and the bowl, where he conceded only 30 runs in his quota of 4 overs while scoring a 35 with a strike rate of 180 odd.
Tim Southee
RCB will look to strengthen their bowling attack by bringing in the experienced Kiwi, Tim Southee.He will bring in wickets in the initial stages of the innings and is also a good depth bowler with his Yorkers and slower balls
BOWLERS:
Yuzvendra Chahal
Arguably one of the best T20 bowlers in the world right now, Yuzvendra Chahal came into the limelight after some noteworthy performances in the IPL.He was off colour in the first two games by his high standards but came good in the last game,picking two important wickets in the middle overs.
Mohammed Siraj
Kulwant Khejroliya will be replaced by Mohammed Siraj,who impressed everyone in last year’s IPL with Sun Risers Hyderabad and went on to play for India last year also will be looking to impress the captain with his nippy pace and bounce.
