RCB Predicted Playing 11 vs KKR: The Sportsrush presents before you RCB’s Predicted Playing 11 for their fifth match of IPL 2019.
Advertisement
Irrespective of the department, anything that could have gone wrong for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2019 has gone wrong. Having lost four matches on the trot, RCB are now placed at the bottom of the table as the only team to have won a single match as of now.
While they have played nowhere near to their potential this season, them frequently changing combinations has also not worked for them. The fact that Bangalore are yet to field the same opening combination in two matches speaks highly about them struggling to find the apt combination.
After losing their last match against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur, RCB captain Virat Kohli hinted at making further changes to the Playing XI in the upcoming matches.
RCB Predicted Playing 11 vs KKR
Top-order
The idea of again changing Royal Challengers’ opening combination might come with a statuary warning but it seems likely to be done. Having scored 533 runs in 13 matches at an average of 53.30 and a strike rate of 130.63 including four half-centuries, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was exceptional at the top of the order in the last season of Big Bash League.
There appear less reasons for RCB to not try him at the same position alongside wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel. Doing that will strengthen their middle-order with Kohli batting at No. 3.
Middle-order
In AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali, RCB have a couple of overseas batsmen who have it in them to dictate terms in the middle overs if they play to their potential. Having scored 15 runs in four matches at an average of 3.75 and a strike rate of 57.69, Shimron Hetmyer has had a horrible start to his IPL career.
RCB can play an overseas fast bowler in his place and include Gurkeerat Singh Mann in the middle order. Other than being an adept batsman and fielder, Mann can also contribute with an over or two of off-spin bowling.
Bowlers
Royal Challengers have missed a trick by not playing New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee in the tournament so far. Not getting a wicket despite bowling well might see rookie fast bowler Navdeep Saini being benched for the overseas pacer.
Currently the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has dismissed eight batsmen in four matches at an average of 13.12, an economy rate of 6.56 and a strike rate of 12. Bangalore would be hoping for him to continue doing well in the tournament.
RCB Predicted Playing 11 vs KKR – 1) Parthiv Patel (wk) 2) Marcus Stoinis 3) Virat Kohli (c) 4) AB de Villiers 5) Moeen Ali 6) Gurkeerat Singh Mann 7) Akshdeep Nath 8) Tim Southee 9) Umesh Yadav 10) Yuzvendra Chahal 11) Mohammed Siraj
How Twitter reacted:
For more IPL-related news, click here.
