IPL 2018, RR vs RCB: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) probable playing XI against Rajasthan Royals (RR)
After a high-octane clash that had all the ingredients of a cracking game, the Royal Challengers Bangalore stayed afloat in a hurricane (Hurri-Kane, you can say), defending a massive total that was in real threat of getting overtaken, against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Their next game is against the Rajasthan Royals, and here's how the line-up could look like:
Parthiv Patel is finally getting a consistent run at the expense of Quinton de Kock, and while he hasn't shattered the earth with his scores at the top, he gives the side impetus by pushing out quick runs and releasing the early tension, given his ability to sniff out gaps during Powerplay.
Every time Virat Kohli walks out to bat, expectations go through the roof. He got out against the run of play to Rashid Khan in the last game and will be itching to perform well to lead his team from the front in such a crucial clash.
AB de Villiers was in video game mode in the previous game, hitting sixes at will, and turned into Spiderman by the time SRH were batting. His form in a do-or-die clash holds key to RCB's chances.
Moeen Ali flicked a switch with his adventurous batting in the game against SRH and proved to be a smart move at the position he played, using his ability to find gaps and clear the ropes at will.
Mandeep Singh has had an indifferent tournament so far but has chipped in with useful but small knocks down the order. He can inventive with his shot selection, and provides the glue between the top and lower middle-order.
Colin de Grandhomme, built like a mountain, gave the innings a final flourish in the previous game, showing why exactly he was included in the playing XI and persisted with. His knack for muscling big sixes is all that RCB needs down the order. The military-medium is an added bonus.
Sarfraz Khan might have received a lot of flak for his initial struggle after being retained, but he is slowly showing flashes of his old self, something which made him a popular entity a few seasons back.
Tim Southee was in the news for the wrong reasons after being charged with a Level 1 offence in the last game and would like to make the ball do the talking as he intends to get past a three-match streak of no wickets. He would be aiming to get rid of the streak against his former franchise.
Umesh Yadav has found a new found rhythm in T20s with the RCB this season and is currently third in the list of leading wicket-takers this season. His tight bowling in the initial overs is crucial to RCB's fortunes.
Mohammed Siraj has been on the expensive side this year, but has been picking at least a wicket in every game, forming a decent foil to Umesh Yadav, the spearhead of the attack. His variations at the death could come in handy for the side.
Yuzvendra Chahal, armed with the experience of having played for the RCB for more than a few seasons, is the trump card Virat Kohli will be waiting to employ on the Rajasthan middle-order. His tight bowling spells could make a big difference to the final result.