The 39th match of the ongoing IPL 2022 will see the second clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the tournament and the match will be played on April 26, 2022, at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
The first time these two sides clashed was in the 13th match of the IPL 2022 and thanks to Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed’s lower-order batting heroics, RCB chased down 170 runs with 4 wickets in hand.
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This time, RR will be looking to equalize the score and they have an RCB team in opposition whose batting is struggling at the moment.
Keeping this in mind, let's have a look at the COC Predicted Playing XIs for the RCB v RR clash in IPL 2022.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
The RCB side is currently going through a really rough patch when it comes to their batting. Apart from Faf du Plessis and a bit of Glenn Maxwell, the remainder of the top order has been absent, to say the least.
Anuj Rawat and Virat Kohli have been disappointed a lot, while Suyash Prabhudessai showed glimpses of his talent, but since then has fizzled out. The only batters to do anything noteworthy have been Shahbaz Ahmed and Dinesh Karthik, who last time as well, helped RCB beat RR by the skin of their teeth.
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Maybe it's time to bring in someone else to replace Anuj Rawat who has been given a more than necessary long rope to prove himself but hasn’t come good. Mahipal Lomror or Rajat Patidar may come in at the top of the order, or Virat Kohli might be asked to open the innings so Lomror could slot in the middle.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel have been very good with the ball, while josh Hazlewood has been their most miserly bowler. Mohammed Siraj has had a lukewarm tournament thus far, but it would be an excellent time for him to step up a few notches.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
Rajasthan Royals are blowing on all cylinders thanks to the amazing batting exploits of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer. Even Devdutt Padikkal has joined in the fun as well as evident from their last match. It doesn’t seem that RR would want to tinker with a winning combination.
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However, their middle-order still remains untested as Riyan Parag has not set the stage on fire, while Karun Nair is yet to get substantial time in the middle. What has been going for the team with the ball is the spin twins R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have been both economical and wicket-takers in this IPL.
Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna have formed a great opening bowling pair, while Obed McCoy provides great support at the fag end of the innings.
RCB Predicted Playing XIs:
Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Suyash Prabhudessai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj
RR Predicted Playing XIs:
Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C-WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Karun Nair, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal