IPL 2020, Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - RCB Predicted XI

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will meet Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator of IPL 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Both teams are on a contrasting streak – RCB on a four-match losing and SRH on a three-match winning.

Despite losing four consecutive matches at the end of the league stage, RCB managed to sneak past Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the net run rate and finished at fourth place. However, their match against SRH being a knockout, the Virat Kohli-led side has to perform a lot better than they have in the last ten days to stake a strong claim for their maiden title.

IPL 2020, Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – RCB Predicted XI

Josh Philippe

After batting for a couple of matches in the middle-order, Josh Philippe was given the opening slot replacing compatriot Aaron Finch. Opening in three games, his scores are 33, 32, and 12. While Philippe has bided time in the middle, he isn’t scoring as quickly as he did in the last Big Bash League. He has a strike rate of 101 in 5 games.

Since it is a big pressure game, Kohli might be tempted to bring back Australian skipper, Aaron Finch who has experience of playing in World Cup knockouts. Another option for RCB is Moeen Ali, who can play the role of a floater; he can open, and finish the innings strongly. If Kohli plans to open with himself, Ali can be a perfect replacement for Philippe.

Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal in his maiden IPL season is RCB’s leading run-scorer by the end of the league stage. The left-hander has amassed 472 runs in 14 matches with 5 fifties. He is coming off a half-century against Delhi and will have the responsibility to give his team a strong start in an important game.

Virat Kohli

While Virat Kohli is fifth on the run chart – 460 runs in 14 matches – his strike rate of 122 is concerning. The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper has received a lot of flak from all fronts for his slow and cautious approach, especially in the middle-overs. Against DC, he scored a 24-ball-29, and the team finished on a sub-par total. RCB fans would hope to see Kohli back at his aggressive best.

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is once again having an AB-esque season. His numbers in IPL 2020 are staggering. The magician has scored 398 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 163 with 4 half-centuries. Time and again he has bailed Royal Challengers Bangalore out of a hole and put in a winning position. The huge onus lay on the South-African in the clash against SRH.

Shivam Dube

The Royal Challengers Bangalore batting falls off the cliff after AB de Villiers. One of the main reasons for Virat Kohli batting cautiously is the lack of firepower in the lower middle-order. As good as Dube can be with the bat, he hasn’t delivered on last year’s promise which led to a national call-up. He has been expensive with the ball as well. If Navdeep Saini is fit, he can come in place of the left-hander, and an overseas batsman could replace Isuru Udana.

Chris Morris

Chris Morris has been terrific with the ball in hand and is a key factor in RCB qualifying for the playoffs. Morris has been brilliant at either end of the innings. The right-arm pacer has picked 11 wickets at an economy of 6.63.

Royal Challengers Bangalore would expect more from the South-African with the bat. He has scored just 34 runs from 5 innings.

Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar is having a stellar season with the ball, and that has paved his way back into the national T20 mix. Sundar has predominantly bowled in the powerplay and has been highly impressed with the new ball. He has 8 wickets at an economy of 5.77- the best in the RCB team.

Isuru Udana

Isuru Udana might face the axe if Navdeep Saini returns to fitness. However, he could also be benched if RCB decides to bring Moeen Ali in the eleven. Udana’s numbers this season are not at all confidence-boosting for the management. He has picked 8 wickets in 10 matches at an expensive economy of 9.72. The other options are Dale Steyn and Adam Zampa, who have even worse economy rates than Udana.

Shahbaz Ahmed

Shahbaz Ahmed was impressive in the match against DC. He took wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan, both of whom are established players of spin bowling. The coach and the captain were satisfied with Ahmed’s performance after the match, and the 25-year-old might retain his place.

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has been outstanding at times with the new ball this season. His 3/8 against KKR was one of the best spells of the tournament. The 26-year-old has been consistent with his lengths throughout; however, he needs improvement on his death bowling skills.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is Kohli’s trump card and the go-to bowler for the captain at any situation in the game. At an economy of 7.16, the leggie has picked 20 wickets and is chasing the purple cap. In a knockout fixture, Chahal will pose a challenge to a strong SRH middle-order.

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