Match #15, RCB Vs LSG, IPL 2024, RCB and LSG face off in an upcoming T20 match, with RCB focusing on Faf du Plessis’ struggles, LSG on KL Rahul’s fitness, and Pooran, Pandya, Hooda, Badoni, and others preparing.
In their next T20 encounter, RCB and LSG are anticipated to bat with joy, freedom, and fearlessness. After a strong start in Chennai, Faf du Plessis has struggled in the last two games. Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran have been hitting very well. Rajat Patidar’s form is also being examined because the updated middle order calls for him to be a floater. Akash Deep, Lockie Ferguson, or Reece Topley are probably going to be in the running.
LSG is mostly focused on itself, with KL Rahul’s health and fitness being a major priority. While Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, and Ayush Badoni have extended batting sessions with the sole goal of hitting the ball long and hard, bowling coach Morne Morkel spent time conversing with Mayank Yadav, the IPL’s new pace sensation. Whichever team hits more sixes could determine who wins the high-scoring match.
Team Watch: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
In the Spotlight
Faf du Plessis got dismissed for under 20 only once in the IPL 2023, where he scored 8 fifty-plus scores. 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 pair in an IPL season. Except for his powerplay torrent in Chennai, du Plessis has struggled to establish himself this season. He’s retired from international cricket and had a mediocre SA20 before the IPL. RCB hopes he comes into his own soon.
Team news and impact player strategy
RCB used fast bowler Vyshak Vijaykumar as an Impact Sub for Dinesh Karthik in the previous game. However, there is a case for Vyshak to be in the starting XI. He had a breakout domestic season in 2023-24 as a lower-order batsman, scoring 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 subbed in when bowling.
Tactics and Match-ups
Glenn Maxwell’s exposure to left-arm spin could be exploited by Krunal Pandya, who has dismissed him three times already. Furthermore, if Maxwell’s poor performance against spin (dismissed twice in 14 balls) this season continues, Ravi Bishnoi and M Siddharth could enter the picture.
Probable XI
Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Alzarri Joseph/Reece Topley, Mayank Dagar, Muhammad Siraj, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Mahipal Lomror/Yash Dayal
Team Watch: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
In the Spotlight: Mayank Yadav has captured IPL spectators as Umran Malik did three years ago. Umran is an example of Mayank grasping the difficulties of living in the fast lane. This 21-year-old from Delhi, who can bowl 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
LSG’s impact strategy will be dependent on Rahul’s fitness. For the time being, the big-hitting Ashton Turner or Naveen-ul-Haq will most likely replace Rahul or another batsman.
Tactics and Match-ups
This season Ayush Badoni, Quinton de Kock, and Devdutt Padikkal have all been dismissed twice when facing left-arm pace. If the recent form is any indication, the RCB could have two of these practitioners.
Probable XI
KL Rahul (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Quinton de Kock, Devdutt Padikkal, Kranal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mayank Yadav, M Siddharth, and Ayush Badoni
Pitch and conditions
To keep the Chinnaswamy surface from degrading, the curator has left more grass than usual. Bengaluru is experiencing a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. On the eve of the match, large areas of the outfield were covered in hessian. RCB coach Andy Flower, on the other hand, feels the nature of the deck will remain the same and predicts an attack of 200.
Did you know?
- At Chinnaswamy Stadium, Quinton de Kock scores two fifties and a century, while Nicholas Pooran scores 229 at the same location.
- Faf du Plessis produced 219 runs in four innings against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Stats that matter
- RCB’s pacers have been pricey in the powerplay, so there’s a case for taking advantage of a favorable matchup against Quinton de Kock. Maxwell has only surrendered 45 runs in 49 balls to him in all T20s while dismissing him twice.
- KL Rahul strikes at 181.13 against Mohammed Siraj, which may explain why LSG brought in Maxwell early on.
- Siraj has taken two wickets in three games this season, with an average of 55.00 and an economy rate of 10.00.
- Krunal had a favorable match-up against Maxwell, having dismissed him three times in 35 deliveries and allowing 42 runs.
- Patidar’s breakthrough IPL century against LSG in the 2022 Eliminator propelled him to instant notoriety, making him the first uncapped Indian to score a playoff ton.
When
At 19:30 IST on April 2, 2024
Where
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
What to expect
On game eve, the pitch, which was the same surface as the match versus Punjab Kings, had a noticeable hint of green. Pace bowlers have been compelled to use cutters in order to obtain any purchase in the few games played at the ground this season. If the pitch goes as quickly as it appears from the outside, that prospect might notice a change.