Despite boasting of some of the best batsmen in the world, Royal Challengers Bangalore haven’t got going in IPL 2017. Sitting at the bottom of the table, Virat Kohli’s side have been woeful with the bat and although they can’t qualify for the playoffs, they can certainly make life difficult for sides looking to do so. After back-to-back defeats, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking for the win that gets them back on track and RCB will want to ensure they don't get it.
In the 46th match of IPL 2017, they take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Here is the possible playing XI for Virat Kohli’s side –
Openers
Chris Gayle
The West Indian opener hasn’t really got going so far in IPL 2017 barring a brief flutter against Gujarat Lions. He will be looking to change that as he takes on his former side, against whom he has an excellent record in the tournament, ever since he made the switch to RCB.
Virat Kohli
After injury delayed his start to this year’s tournament, Virat Kohli has really been the only RCB batsman who has fired on a consistent. While the RCB captain may not have been able to live up to his incredibly lofty standards, he has still been amongst the runs and one of the few batsmen who have turned up for RCB this season. With the season winding down, the 28-year-old will be looking to end on a high.
Middle Order
AB de Villiers
After an incredible start in his first game of the tournament, AB de Villiers has been out of sorts. The explosive hitting has been missing and the flurry of wickets around him has meant he hasn’t been able to showcase his complete array of skills in IPL 2017.
Kedar Jadhav (WK)
Among all RCB batsmen, Kedar Jadhav is the only one apart from Kohli, who has scored more than 100 runs at home this season. While the diminutive wicketkeeper has showcased his explosive hitting, he hasn’t always had the platform to go out and play his natural game, with wickets falling all around him. But he will admit that he hasn’t been as consistent as he would have wanted, something he will look to change against KKR.
Harpreet Singh
Ever since he was brought in as a replacement for the injured Sarfraz Khan, Harpreet Singh has been warming the bench. With the likes of Sachin Baby, Mandeep Singh and Stuart Binny not doing enough to justify their spot in the side it might finally be time for RCB to call on the Madhya Pradesh batsman who has been in sublime form in the build-up to the tournament.
All-rounders
Travis Head
Brought in to strengthen the batting line-up in the previous game, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson failed to deliver with both bat and ball and is unlikely to get another match under his belt with Travis Head likely to replace. The Australian hasn't been able to convert his chances so far in IPL 2017 and will be looking to establish himself in the side with a strong performance.
Pawan Negi
With Stuart Binny struggling with both and ball, Pawan Negi was given the opportunity to showcase his credentials and the all-rounder has certainly taken that opportunity with both hands so far in this year’s competition. With the ball, he has been able to stifle the flow of runs while also picking up wickets. While he hasn’t been as consistent with the bat, he has provided some quick runs as well.
Spinners
Samuel Badree
Having begun his IPL career with RCB with a hat-trick, the West Indian leg-spinner hasn’t quite managed to live up to his lofty start to IPL 2017. While injury has meant that he hasn’t been able to consistently play, whenever he has come in, not only has he kept the runs down, he has been amongst the wickets as well.
Yuzvendra Chahal
After a slow start to IPL 2017, Yuzvendra Chahal has got going gradually and is currently the leading wicket-taker for RCB this season. The leggie has been crucial for RCB as he offers them a wicket-taking option on a true batting surface and has also has immense control over his variations.
Seamers
Sreenath Arvind
Having brought in Tymal Mills for big money, not many would have thought that Sreenath Arvind would play a major part in RCB’s campaign in IPL 2017. But injuries, poor form of other pacers and consistent performances have been that he has become an integral part of the side in this edition and will look to end the competition with a few more wickets to his name.
Aniket Choudhary
The 27-year-old left-arm pacer hasn’t really got as many opportunities as he would have wanted so far in IPL 2017. Still, he has managed to pick up four wickets in the four games that he has played this season. His figures of 2/17 in the last game will mean that Aniket is likely to get another go to impress Kohli before the season ends.
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