IPL 2023 MATCH PREVIEW: RCB v GT

The equation this time is straightforward: RCB needs to win their last game. Fortunately, RCB holds a superior Net Run Rate (NRR) compared to MI, so the result of MI's match has no impact on RCB's position, as long as RCB doesn't lose to GT.

Following a "sweet win" over LSG, it seemed as though RCB's crusade had regained momentum. However, they experienced two consecutive decisive defeats at the hands of Delhi and MI, significantly compromising their net run rate. This has undoubtedly been RCB’s one of finest seasons with the ball if we exclude the brainfade in the middle overs of 2nd and 3rd game and the onslaught at Wankhede.

Defended 174 at Chinnaswamy
Defended 174 at Mohali
Defended 190 at Chinnaswamy
Defended 126 at Lucknow
Dismissed RR for 59

A left arm pacer with new ball and a leg spinner have been RCB's achilees heel this year. As a twitter user by the handle name @13Ranny_tweets pointed out, RCB have given 22 wkts to leg spin in 9 innings. 9 wkts in 6 innins at 126 SR ( 1st inns ) and 13 wkts in 3 inns at 106 SR ( 2nd inns ). Rashid Khan becomes a huge factor and he has an impeccable head to head record against every RCB batter.

Mohammad Siraj has been exceptional when it comes to opening the bowling, but the Royal Challengers Bangalore face significant challenges in the later stages of the game, particularly in the absence of Hazlewood. This will make their task at Chinnaswamy Stadium even more challenging, as they have suffered three defeats there due to abysmal performances in the death overs. Additionally, besides the "KGF," none of the other players have stepped up in the batting department. RCB's chances of progressing further in the tournament heavily rely on the law of averages favoring their top-order batsmen; otherwise, they could be on the verge of elimination.

Except for one glitch when Rinku Singh went on a rampage and smashed 40 runs in 7 consecutive deliveries, Gujarat Titans have been flawless this season, just like the previous one. Saha has been taking full advantage of the powerplay overs, they gave Sudharshan a run at 3 and scored consecutive half-centuries, and a typical Tewatia finish helped them secure another 2 points. Vijay Shankar after a horrific last season has played 4 outstanding knocks. It seems like everything they touch turns to gold. In addition, they made a shrewd move by bringing back Mohit Sharma, their top performer with the ball in the last game, who was last seen in 2020. GT already have qualified and will play their 1st qualifier against CSK at Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Probable Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Anuj Rawat, Michael Bracewell, Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyasakh

Gujarat Titans

Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya(c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Mohit Sharma, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad

Venue

M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

-Average Total batting 1st: 171.0
-Average 1st innings winning total: 189.4
-Highest total: 263/5 by RCB v PWI
-Lowest total: 82/10 by RCB v KKR
-Total Match Played: 87
-Batting First Won: 37
-Batting Second Won: 46

Head to Head

1-1

Most Runs

Virat Kohli - 131
Glenn Maxwell - 73

Most Wickets

Rashid Khan - 3
Wanindu Hasaranga - 3

Points Table

RCB: 4th
GT: 1st

Team Form (last 5 games)

RCB: W L L W W
GT: L W W L W

Match Ups ( IPL )

Faf v Shami: 90 off 54, 2 out
Kohli v Shami: 90 off 66, 5 out
DK v Mohit: 83 off 78
Miller v Harshal: 59 off 35
Kohli v Mohit: 55 off 46
Kohli v Rashid: 54 off 46, 2 out
Maxwell v Rashid: 49 off 41
DK v Rashid: 31 off 29, 3 out
Faf v Rashid: 19 off 35, 3 out
Saha v Siraj; 30 off 24, 2 out
Hardik v Harshal: 10 off 10, 2 out

Form Update

Key Players

Rashid Khan

He should be your automatic rather a blind pick in your fantasy 11. He is arguably the greatest t20 bowler with more than 500 wickets. He is one of the three bowlers to pick 15 + wkts in a season for 7 consecutive times. In addition to that, he knows how to use the long handle down the order and displayed his prowess with the bat against MI with a knock of 79*

Shubhman Gill

He is GT's highest scorer with 576 runs at a SR of 146. He scored his maiden 100 in last game.

Hardik Pandya

Pandya has been struggling with the bat and his last 25 - 30 t20 innings paint a poor picture. His SR is around 125 and hasn’t played a “good” innings apart from that knock against Lucknow where he smashed 66 in a low scoring game.But given his bowling and ability to pick the odd wkts in the powerplay its difficult to rule him out of the game. He had a memorable season last year where he scored 487 runs and was the MoM in the final.

Faf du Plessis / Virat Kohli

A top order batter should be your 1st priority in Fantasy 11. Faf has been in some surreal form off late with 177 runs at an SR of 143 in BBL and became the 1st centurion in SA 20. He scored 369 runs at an average of 41 (2nd highest). He is the orange cap holder with 702 runs at a SR of 154 with 36 sixes.

In contrast to the preceding few years, Virat Kohli ignited the IPL with his exceptional performance in the 1st half. His approach, intent, and boundary percentage had all improved to a remarkable extent compared to his previous three seasons. But his nos dipped in the last few innings and he fought back with a sensational 100 in the last game against SRH chasing down 186.

Glenn Maxwell

Since 2021, Maxwell has scored 1200+ runs for RCB at a SR of 150+. No one scored more runs than him at a better rate and he did it by batting at 4 or below. He is also an effective off spinner who bowled a few economical overs in Powerplay. With Rajat not in the scene and DK not among runs in the recent past, the onus of carrying the middle order solely lies on him and he did not disappoint against LSG scoring 59 from 29 balls and straightaway took on the spinners in middle overs against Delhi, MI and against CSK. He has 30 sixes so far and a SR of 182 this season

Fantasy XI