IPL 2017, RCB vs DD Playing 11: List of probable XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils

Gayle and Watson need to step up

The much-fancied Royal Challengers Bangalore did not get off to the most auspicious start against the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad. The injury-ravaged team did offer competition at few instances, but could not muster enough to get better of SRH in the opener. 

The bowlers leaked plenty of runs as they conceded a mammoth 207 in their 20 overs. Although the batsmen started in right earnest they fell way short of the eventual target and had to concede defeat by a huge margin of 35 runs. 

In the 5th match of the IPL 2017, they take on the Delhi Daredevils at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Here is the possible playing XI for the RCB -

Openers:

Chris Gayle looked all set to launch SRH bowlers all over the park and he sizzled for a brief moment but could not sustain the momentum for a very long time. He scored 32 runs in 21 balls and looked in fine touch. The towering sixes were all present and now RCB would want him to cash in and go for the long haul. 

Mandeep Singh too was in great hitting form and he started off like a train and played few pleasing strokes but like Gayle could not manage a match-winning performance. He needs to play a crucial role at the top of the order more so because Gayle takes his time to get his eye in. 

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Middle-Order:

Shane Watson who captained the side in the first match did not have a very pleasant outing both with the bat and ball. He came into bat at number 5 which is too low for a player of his calibre and as the saying goes the best batsman in the team should play the maximum balls, the captain should take it upon himself to deliver the good when the going gets tough. 

Travis Head has plenty to offer to RCB this season and after having a great season for Australia, the young man could be the talisman for the team in the absence of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. True to his promise and potential, he started off brilliantly in the previous match before succumbing to a Rashid Khan googly. He scored a bright and breezy 30 off 22 balls.

Kedar Jadhav is no longer the inconspicuous member in the side. He is an Indian international and should be utilised as he has plenty of ability and pedigree. He threatened to take the game away from SRH in the previous match but was cut short by a brilliant piece of fielding by Ben Cutting. His 31 off 16 balls were all risk-free strokes and gave ample evidence of his potential. 

Sachin Baby had a forgettable game in Hyderabad with the bat but the management would still persist with him owing to the lack of options. The left-hander can be a good prospect and hopefully, he finds his feet in Chinnaswamy. 

All-rounders

Stuart Binny always raises plenty of eyebrows but to be fair he has never been given a good opportunity to settle down and play an innings of substance. He could be utilised to bowl few cheap overs at the outset. With the bat, he can be the finisher as he the power game at his disposal. 

Bowlers

Tymal Mills came in for big bucks in this IPL and not surprising was under pressure in his debut game. He had a decent outing and now that he has settled down, we should see a more confident Mills who has the ability to bowl at rapid pace and the vary his pace beautifully. On his day, he can be an out-on-out match-winner and the RCB management would wish it is his day. 

Yuzvendra Chahal is a testament to the fact that leg-spinners are a must in T20s as the lanky spinner always comes up with brilliant performances. Even in the previous match he went for just 22 runs in 4 overs and picked up 1 wicket. He has a solid temperament and this holds him good stead and his record at the M Chinnaswamy is brilliant. 

Avesh Khan should replace Sreenath Aravind who lacked any control in the opener. Avesh will also bring the right arm angle which will add variety to the bowling line up. He is a skiddy customer and should enjoy the wicket at the Chinnaswamy. 

Aniket Choudhary came into the match with plenty of hype but did not quite set the stage on fire. Although there were catches dropped off his bowling, there were instances when he bowled too short and on both sides of the wicket. Vettori wants him to play and for that he needs to put in a more solid performance.