Match #30, RCB Vs LSG, IPL 2024, will face off in match #30, with Virat Kohli and strugglers Maxwell and Green. Rajat Patidar’s form is also under scrutiny, while KL Rahul’s fitness is a top priority for LSG.
The RCB and LSG cricket teams will square off in a high-scoring IPL encounter, with Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran displaying range-hitting skills. Except for Virat Kohli, the top order has failed to find its groove, with Faf du Plessis and Cameron Green struggling to adjust to their new RCB roles. Rajat Patidar’s form is also being scrutinized, as he must be a floater in a rearranged middle order. The overseas combination is also under scrutiny, with Alzarri Joseph allowing over 12 per over in the opening three games. Lockie Ferguson, Reece Topley, and Akash Deep are expected to be contenders.
LSG’s focus is primarily inward, with KL Rahul’s fitness a major issue. Bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke with Mayank Yadav, the IPL’s new speed sensation, while Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, and Ayush Badoni practiced hitting the ball far and hard. The match is likely to be high-scoring, with the outcome perhaps determined by whether the team hits the most sixes.
Team Watch: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
In the spotlight
Faf du Plessis was dismissed for under-20 only once in the IPL 2023, where he scored 8 fifty-plus runs. His opening partnership with Virat Kohli was the tournament’s best batting combination, scoring 939 runs for the first wicket, matching the mark set by any duo in an IPL season. So far this season, except for his powerplay torrent in Chennai, du Plessis has struggled to establish himself. Previously to the IPL, he had a poor SA20 and had retired from international cricket. RCB is hoping he develops quickly.
Team news and impact player strategy
RCB used fast bowler Vyshak Vijaykumar as an impact substitute for Dinesh Karthik in the previous game. Vyshak has a case to be in the starting lineup. He had a breakout domestic season in 2023–24 as a lower-order batsman, recording his first first-class century and List A fifty. Patidar or Mahipal Lomror are potential candidates for Impact Sub when batting, while Reece Topley is likely to be substituted when bowling.
Injury and availability
Glenn Maxwell is struggling with his form and is also recovering from a finger injury acquired while fielding against the Mumbai Indians. He went off the field following the blow.
Tactics and Match-ups
Two weeks ago, when RCB hosted LSG here, the visitors did not think twice about using both of their left-arm spinners, M. Siddharth and Krunal Pandya, in the PowerPlay. Spinners gave up at an economy rate of only 8.35 at the Chinnaswamy this season, making it an appealing choice against two left-handed SRH openers who like speed on the ball. If Maxwell is declared fit to start, RCB might field two off-spinners.
Probable XI
[Impact Sub: Saurav Chauhan] Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Reece Topley, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
Team Watch: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
In the spotlight
Mayank Yadav thrilled IPL fans, much like Umran Malik did three years ago. Umran is a prime example of Mayank realizing how hard it is to live in the fast lane. This 21-year-old from Delhi who can bowl at speeds of up to 155 kph will not be a novelty for long, and it will be interesting to see how he develops.
Team news and impact player strategy
Rahul’s fitness will determine LSG’s impact plan. Rahul or another batsman will probably be replaced temporarily by the powerful-hitting Ashton Turner or Naveen-ul-Haq.
Injury and availability
Mayank Agarwal, who had reported being ill, has resumed training and might play as an impact replacement at his home stadium.
Tactics and Match-ups
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken just one wicket in the PowerPlay this season, but he has a particularly impressive record against this season’s leading run-getter, Virat Kohli, whom he has dismissed four times in the IPL. Bhuvneshwar also has a terrific record at the venue, taking 9 wickets in 8 games at an outstanding economy rate of 7.31
Probable XI
Travis Head, Andrew Sharma, Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Jaydev Unadkat, T. Natarajan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar [Rahul Tripathi/Mayank Agarwal, Impact Sub]
Pitch and conditions
To keep the Chinnaswamy surface from degrading, the curator has left more grass than normal. Bengaluru is experiencing a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. On the night before the match, large portions of the outfield were covered in hessian. However, RCB coach Andy Flower feels the structure of the deck will remain the same and expects 200 to be smashed.
Did you know?
- Mohammed Siraj gave up 123 runs from 10 PowerPlay overs bowled this season, for a single wicket.
- Glenn Maxwell’s best IPL score of 95 came against Sunrisers Hyderabad while playing for Kings XI Punjab during the 2014 season.
- Heinrich Klaasen has a strike rate of 234.38 in death overs this season, which is higher only by Dinesh Karthik (250.00). Karthik has also struck one six (11), more than Klaasen in this period.
Stats that matter
- RCB’s pacers have been expensive in the powerplay, so there’s a case for taking advantage of a good matchup against Quinton de Kock.
- KL Rahul strikes at 181.13 against Mohammed Siraj, giving LSG even more incentive to send in Maxwell early on.
- In three games this season, Siraj has claimed two wickets at an average of 55.00 and an economy rate of 10.00.
- Krunal had a positive matchup against Maxwell, having dismissed him three times in 35 deliveries and surrendering 42.
Patidar’s maiden IPL century came against LSG in the 2022 Eliminator, bringing him instant notoriety as the first uncapped Indian to get a playoff ton.
When
Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2024, April 15, 19:30 IST.
Where
Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Head-to-Head
RCB 10, SRH 12. The Sunrisers won their only IPL title at this stadium in 2016, defeating the hosts in the final. However, they have only won once before on this turf. The two teams have not met here since 2019.
What to expect
A chasing, toss-winning captain. Even in previous seasons, this has been a site where teams have backed themselves to achieve any goal in front of them. The two-paced character of the surface in the first half of games, which eases out with the arrival of dew, has further increased the difficulties of defending here.
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