RCB Player Watch: Which of our stars are in action this week? | July 17th – July 23rd, 2023

As the cricket calendar arrives into another week of exciting action, the Royal Challengers find themselves engaged in various cricket tournaments all across the globe. Spanning from the Ashes to the Indo-Caribbean rivalry, the cricketing fabric delves deep into the domestic roster with a handful of fixtures in the franchise tournament while the English county championship continues with its next round.

India kickstarted the latest edition of the World Test Championship with a rampant victory in the preceding week and will be hoping to emulate their triumph against the hosts in the second and final Test of the series. Shuffling our focus to another reverberating international competition in the Ashes, England managed to pull one back and with the final two Tests remaining, the needle of excitement can swing both ways and fuelling the fire of mystery, the fourth Test of the series would be starting this week. Without further ado, let us take a deep dive into all the action and where you can follow your favourite RCB players in the upcoming week starting from 17th of July to 23rd July.

International

Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj:

The duo of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj had their own moments of ecstasy in the first Test against West Indies. Siraj scalped Jason Holder in the first innings within the few overs he bowled while also pulling off an absolute ripper at mid off that sent Jermaine Blackwood packing. The second innings saw Miyan claiming the big wicket of Joshua Da Silva as he aided the Indian bowling unit to wrap things up in a flash. Virat Kohli extended his fine run with the bat to another innings as he crafted a patient 76, propelling India to a momentous first innings lead of 271 runs.

July 20th, Thursday: West Indies vs India, 7:30 PM IST (2nd Test)

Josh Hazlewood:

Despite having a slow start to the Ashes, Hazlewood seemed to be in pretty fine touch in the second Test match where he clinched five wickets, with two of them coming in the first innings and three more coming in the second. He will play a key role in the Australian XI as they hope to seal a series win once and for all.

July 19th, Wednesday: England vs Australia, 3:30 PM IST (4th Test)

Smriti Mandhana:

The Indian vice-captain has been going through a lean patch for a while now and would be desperate to get back to those prolific numbers up front. In the ongoing series against the Bangladesh women, she has managed scores of 38, 13, 1 and 11. As India guns up for the last two ODIs of the series, Smriti would be hoping to rally herself and her nation back in form as they trail 1-0 in the ongoing ODI series.

July 19th, Wednesday: Bangladesh Women vs India Women, 9:00 AM (2nd ODI)

July 22nd, Saturday: Bangladesh Women vs India Women, 9:00 AM (3rd ODI)

Heather Knight, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt:

Although the visitors have won the Ashes, the two contingents would be going headstrong against each other for one final time in the series as the England women collide with the Aussies to settle the fate of the series. Heather Knight will hope to lead her side to a win and end the series on a high while Australia duo of Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt will look to stop England from running away with the contest. 

July 18th, Tuesday, England vs Australia, 5:30 PM IST

Domestic:

Will Jacks:

The hard-hitting English batsman would be hoping to make his presence felt for Surrey after a decent start to the County Championship where he registered scores of 35 and 60 against Nottinghamshire. He would be in action in the upcoming week against Middlesex and will be hoping to carry forth the royal battery.

July 19th, Wednesday, Middlesex vs Surrey, 3:30 PM IST

Faf du Plessis:

The RCB captain didn’t really have a glorious start for the Texas Super Kings in the Major League Cricket tournament. However, being the captain of the side, it is needless to say that the South African hard-hitter can change the game on his given day without breaking a sweat.

July 18th, Tuesday, Texas Super Kings vs MI New York, 6:00 AM IST

July 22nd, Saturday, Seattle Orcas vs Texas Super Kings, 3:00 AM IST

Finn Allen:

Despite having a reticent start for San Francisco Unicorns, he was back to his blistering best against the Orcas where he hammered a fine 28. He would be returning to action for another couple of exciting fixtures where he will look to trouble the LA Knight Riders and Washington Freedom bowlers.

July 19th, LA Knight Riders vs San Francisco Unicorns, 6:00 AM IST

July 23rd, Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns, 3:00 AM IST

Wayne Parnell:

The talented South African seamer is captaining the Seattle Orcas in the ongoing MLC and has had a couple of contrasting displays. He clinched a couple of wickets against Washington but didn’t impress against San Francisco, and he will want to jump back into form.

July 22nd, Saturday, Seattle Orcas vs Texas Super Kings, 3:00 AM IST

July 23rd, Sunday, LA Knight Riders vs Seattle Orcas, 11:00 PM IST