Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 10th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, March 29. Led by captain Shreyas Iyer, KKR emphatically started their IPL 2024 campaign as they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by four runs at home on March 23. With two points on the board, the Knight Riders are placed fourth on the IPL 2024 standings. On the other hand, the Faf du Plessis-led RCB had an underwhelming start to their 2024 season as they lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets in the tournament opener.
However, they bounced back strongly against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their home game, winning by four wickets on March 25. Having won their previous game, RCB are placed sixth on the IPL 2024 points table. Ahead of another enthralling IPL 2024 clash, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
RCB Predicted XI
Faf du Plessis (captain)
South Africa’s Faf du Plessis was dismissed cheaply for three against PBKS. However, the RCB skipper hit 35 runs with a strike rate of 152.17 in RCB’s IPL 2024 opener. Overall, he has scored over 4,100 runs in more than 130 IPL matches.
Virat Kohli
Indian legend Virat Kohli anchored the run chase against PBKS, scoring a 49-ball 77. The IPL great recently crossed the 12,000-run mark in T20 cricket and will aim to provide a strong start for Bengaluru in their upcoming fixture.
Cameron Green
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green had a wonderful IPL 2023 with the bat, scoring 452 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 160.28. He’s struggled to find form this season but is likely to come good sooner rather than later.
Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar has been a part of RCB’s middle order after amassing 333 runs in eight matches in IPL 2022. Patidar hasn’t been able to replicate his 2022 success this year but he will be hoping for a change of fortunes with the bat soon.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell has been a driving force for RCB in the middle order since 2022. The Australian all-rounder has smashed over 700 runs for RCB in that period and it is simply a matter of time before he comes good for Bengaluru in IPL 2024.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik scored 38* off 26 in RCB’s opening fixture against CSK. In RCB’s second game, his 10-ball 28* played a vital role in their thrilling win against PBKS. His rich form could prove effective for RCB this season.
Anuj Rawat (wicketkeeper)
Anuj Rawat was the top scorer for RCB in their first match against CSK, scoring 48 runs off 25 balls. His hard-hitting ability is something to keep an eye on against KKR.
Mohammed Siraj
Experienced right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj wasn’t at his best against CSK, but he delivered an economical spell of 2 for 26 against PBKS. Siraj will spearhead RCB’s bowling unit this season.
Alzarri Joseph
West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph has leaked 81 runs in two matches and picked only one wicket so far. He might be backed by RCB’s think tank for a few more games but Joseph will need to start producing for his team to keep himself in the side.
Mayank Dagar
Mayank Dagar is a left-arm spinner who has been economical with the ball this season despite not taking a wicket yet. He is likely to get more opportunities with RCB, considering he can contribute with the bat and is economical with the ball.
Yash Dayal
Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has looked confident this year having bowled well in the powerplay. He returned with 1 for 23 against PBKS and will hope to deliver a top performance against KKR
Impact Sub
Mahipal Lomror/Karn Sharma
KKR Predicted XI
Phil Salt (wicketkeeper)
England opener Phil Salt scored a mature knock of 54 off 40 in KKR’s first match of the season. He’s made 5,362 runs in 229 T20 games so far and will be an asset to KKR in IPL 2024.
Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine was handy with the ball against SRH in KKR’s IPL 2024 opener. In his fours over, Narine took the crucial wicket of Rahul Tripathi and conceded only 19 runs. He will look to add to his 164 IPL wickets when he faces RCB.
Venkatesh Iyer
All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer smashed 404 runs in 14 matches last year to contribute in KKR’s top order. Even though he didn’t get his desired start to the season against SRH, Iyer is likely to be a key player for KKR this season.
Shreyas Iyer (captain)
KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer had a quiet comeback to the IPL after scoring a duck against SRH. A classy batter, it’s only a matter of time before Iyer gets going and adds to his 2,776 runs in 102 IPL matches.
Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana plays a pivotal role in the middle order for the Knight Riders. The southpaw was one of the shining lights for KKR last year, scoring 413 runs and he will have a key role to play in the ongoing season.
Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh had a memorable campaign last year, scoring 474 runs for KKR. In their IPL opener against SRH, Rinku made 23 to help KKR to 208 for 7. The explosive batter will again play the finisher’s role for KKR in IPL 2024.
Andre Russell
Star all-rounder Andre Russell began his IPL 2024 campaign on a high note as he played a match-winning innings of 64* and took two scalps against SRH. He’s scored more than 2,300 runs and has taken 98 wickets in the IPL, making the explosive all-rounder’s inclusion in the team a no-brainer.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, who was bought for a whopping sum of INR 24.75 crore, had an underwhelming start to the season. Defending 209 runs against SRH, Starc leaked 53 runs in his four overs. He will hope to produce a better display for KKR against his former team RCB.
Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy returned with 20 wickets in 14 matches for KKR last year but went for runs in his first IPL 2024 game. The spinner took the important scalp of Aiden Markram but also went for 55 runs, which is something he will look to rectify against SRH.
Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana, KKR’s hero against SRH, has already made his presence felt by defending 13 runs in the last over. Harshit picked three wickets for 33 runs in KKR’s IPL 2024 opener and will look to kick on against RCB.
Suyash Sharma
Suyash Sharma had a breakthrough season last year and made a decent start to the 2024 season. He bowled two overs, giving away 18 runs in a high-scoring game against SRH in his last outing. Suyash will play a vital role in the spin department for KKR this season.
Impact Sub
Chetan Sakariya
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