Royal Challengers Bangalore seek a return to winning ways as they host high-flying Lucknow Super Giants

With RCB’s visit to Kolkata coming to an unexpected end when they were beaten comprehensively by the Kolkata Knight Riders, a lot will be on the line as they host the Lucknow Super Giants at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, seeking redemption for their earlier collapse.

RCB will be keen to address their death bowling woes, with the bowlers giving away runs aplenty against both MI and KKR in the last five overs, letting go of a solid foundation. More importantly, they will also be having a closer look at the extras that have been conceded in the last couple of games.

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis seem to be in good touch but with Rajat Patidar ruled out, a lot will rely on the opening duo two followed by Michael Bracewell and Glenn Maxwell in the middle order. 

Lucknow Super Giants are still to open their account against RCB as they lost both their fixtures in 2022, with the first one coming in the league stages followed by another defeat in the first Eliminator of the tournament. However, the current year has a different equation altogether. The Giants got off to a blinder against Delhi Capitals but soon lost to CSK in their first away game. Yet, with a win against SRH to show for in their latest encounter, LSG will undoubtedly want to prove quite a challenge against hosts RCB. 

Venue Watch

They say that Chinnaswamy is a bowler’s graveyard and the first game was a burning testimony to the same as the RCB openers made merry against an MI bowling attack featuring the intimidating Jofra Archer. The team that would bat second will have the upper hand unless it’s a 200-plus number on the scoreboard that will need to be chased down. 

Personal battles to watch out for:

Faf du Plessis vs Mark Wood 

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis is the second-highest run-scorer for RCB in IPL 2023 with 96 runs from two games at a stunning strike rate of 174.54. He is an excellent player of pace and Mark Wood’s excellent returns from the first two games would make him a perfect fit for what is going to be a cracking match-up of two skilled players.

Virat Kohli vs Ravi Bishnoi

Virat Kohli has been in top touch with the willow so far in IPL 2023, with 103 runs from two games at a strike rate of 153.73 that has started conversations among fans of the batting star returning to his supreme form. However, his vulnerability against leg spin has been a topic of discussion of late and that is where young leggie Ravi Bishnoi can be the game-changer against the former RCB captain.

Harshal Patel vs KL Rahul

Harshal Patel is a top pick with the ball considering his recent success against KL Rahul. His mix-up of pace is one factor that can create a few significant challenges for the LSG captain who has the potential to turn the tide around if he gets going.

Match detail:

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants

Venue: Chinnaswamy Stadium

Date: 10th April 2023

Time: 7:30 PM

Head-to-head:

Matches played: 2

RCB: 2

LSG: 0

Squads:

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Faf Du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudessai, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, David Willey, Wayne Parnell, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav, Michael Bracewell, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Lucknow Super Giants:

KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Manan Vohra, Ayush Badoni, Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Karan Sharma, Prerak Mankad, Amit Mishra, Mark Wood, Jaydev Unadkat, Romario Shepherd, Naveen-ul-Haq, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yudhvir Singh, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, Swapnil Singh.