RCB Predicted Playing 11 vs KKR for Match 36 of IPL 2024

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 36 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, April 21.

With only one win from seven matches, RCB are dead last in the IPL 2024 points table. They haven't been able to identify their ideal combination so far and could thus make more tweaks as they attempt to revive their campaign.

While it is extremely tough to predict what an erratic team management will do, in this piece, we attempt it.

RCB's squad for IPL 2024: Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan.

On that note, here is RCB's predicted playing XII (including one impact sub) for Match 36 of IPL 2024 against KKR.

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Openers: Faf du Plessis (c) and Virat Kohli

RCB have stuck to the same opening combination throughout IPL 2024. With Will Jacks entering the fold, the think tank will have something to consider, but they might be more comfortable with the Englishman batting at No. 3. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli will need to set a good platform for him.

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Middle order: Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Mahipal Lomror, Suyash Prabhudessai, and Dinesh Karthik (wk)

RCB have tried out many domestic batters in the middle order without much success. Mahipal Lomror has been a relative standout, but Saurav Chauhan and Anuj Rawat haven't been very impressive.

As Bengaluru attempt to find their ideal combination, they could drop both Chauhan and Rawat while trying to beef up their bowling attack by including a wrist-spinner. Suyash Prabhudessai, who hasn't gotten a chance in IPL 2024 but was in excellent form in domestic cricket ahead of the tournament, could come in.

The rest of the RCB middle order is expected to wear a similar look. Cameron Green might have to be consigned to the bench once more, with Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik needing to deliver.

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Lower order: Karn Sharma, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, and Reece Topley

Faf du Plessis spoke about bringing a wrist-spinner into the side for the middle overs. Karn Sharma, who was on the impact subs list in the last game, could be the man for the job, with Himanshu Sharma seemingly falling out of favor after just one game.

Another bowler could be in line to return - Mohammed Siraj, who has a good head-to-head record against Sunil Narine. With Reece Topley and Lockie Ferguson playing in tandem in the previous encounter, Yash Dayal could be the man to make way.

There's also the possibility of RCB dropping Topley, who hasn't done much to justify an overseas spot. But that might weaken their bowling further at a venue where the left-armer's skills could prove valuable.

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RCB's predicted playing XII (inc. impact sub): Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Mahipal Lomror, Suyash Prabhudessai, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Lockie Ferguson, Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj.

Other impact sub candidates: Anuj Rawat, Yash Dayal, Saurav Chauhan, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage.