IPL 2017 MI vs RCB: Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) Probable playing XI against Mumbai Indians (MI)

ABD really needs to step up and perform

Who would have thought that the Royal Challengers Bangalore – a side with one of the strongest batting line-ups in the tournament have been finding it so hard to even cross the 100 run mark? Such is the dilemma of Virat Kohli’s side as they are on the brink of elimination with 4 games left for them in the season. 

Despite putting up a good show with the ball over the past few matches, their batting has let them down big time. All 11 players registered a single-digit score against KKR while 10 out of the 11 did so against RPS in their last match in Pune. 

With not much left to play for, RCB will look to go all out in their remaining 4 matches beginning with the one against Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

Here is their predicted XI for the match: 

Shane Watson might finally make a return to the playing XI after being sidelined for the past few matches. Given Chris Gayle and Travis Head’s poor form, Watson will most likely open the innings. He captained the first few games for RCB and was not able to make much of a difference with the bat and the ball. He will need to step up in order to retain his place in the side. 

Virat Kohli was the only batsman in RCB’s line-up to go past the single digit mark against the Rising Pune Supergiant in their previous match. He fought valiantly with a half century but kept losing partners at the other end and hence was not able to take his side over the line. He will give it his all in the remaining few matches for RCB. 

AB de Villiers has been extremely poor with the bat apart from his performance against the Kings XI Punjab in his first match. He has not been at his best and will need to really pull up his socks for the rest of the games. On his day, he can decimate any opposition bowler and RCB desperately need that to happen.

Kedar Jadhav: Apart from Kohli, he has been the only other batsman to have performed decently for the Bengaluru outfit. The ease with which he takes on opposition bowlers is a sight for sore eyes and he will look to make a mark for himself ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in June. 

Harpreet Singh was named as the replacement for the injured Sarfraz Khan but is yet to play a game in the tournament. Given RCB’s batting woes, we could see him play his first match of the season. He has proved himself on the domestic T20 stage as he finished as the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament and will be raring to go in the IPL.

Stuart Binny too has been extremely poor for RCB but given the lack of all-round options, it looks like the team management will continue to persist with him. He picked up the important wicket of Steve Smith in the previous match and will look to improve on his form for the upcoming games.

Pawan Negi has performed well with the ball in the matches has played so far and even showcased his hard hitting ability in the match against the Gujarat Lions. He has cemented his place in the side with those performances and will look to continue his fine run of form. He has the best economy rate so far for RCB. 

Adam Milne played only his third match of the season against RPS and bowled well as he did not leak too many runs despite not picking up any wickets. He will most likely be preferred over Tymal Mills and will look to get a wicket or two under his belt.

Samuel Badree was the first RCB bowler to pick up a hat trick this season against the Mumbai Indians and has been one of the best bowlers for RCB over the past few matches. He has picked up 9 wickets in 5 matches at an economy rate of 7.05. The West Indian has surely cemented his place in the side and will look to get a lot more scalps under his name. 

Sreenath Arvind bowled well against RPS, especially at the death as he conceded only 30 runs in his 4 overs. He has constantly featured in RCB’s playing XI for the past few years and the Karnataka lad will look to make the most of the remaining 4 games for his side and pick up a few wickets.

Yuzvendra Chahal has had a poor outing in the last two games for RCB and will look to turn his fortune around as his side is in desperate need for some good results. He has the ability to pick up wickets at any phase of the match and can be a match-winner on his day.