May 27: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Qualifier 2, Narendra Modi Stadium
Safe XI: 1 Faf du Plessis (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal (vice-capt), 3 Jos Buttler, 4 Sanju Samson, 5 Rajat Patidar, 6 Devdutt Padikkal, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Yuzvendra Chahal, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Wanindu Hasaranga, 11 Obed McCoy
Captain: Faf du Plessis
Among players from both these squads, du Plessis has scored the most runs in the IPL playoffs – 348 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 134.88. He has also won three Man-of-the-Match awards in the IPL playoffs which is the joint-most for any player. He is the leading run scorer for Royal Challengers this season with 443 runs in 15 games.
Among players from both these squads, du Plessis has scored the most runs in the IPL playoffs – 348 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 134.88. He has also won three Man-of-the-Match awards in the IPL playoffs which is the joint-most for any player. He is the leading run scorer for Royal Challengers this season with 443 runs in 15 games.
Vice-captain: Yashasvi Jaiswal
The young left-handed opener had a rollercoaster of a season. He was dropped after some indifferent performances at the start but came back strongly in the recent games. He has been especially successful in the powerplay, scoring 129 runs at a strike rate of 135.78, one of the best strike rates for an Indian opener this season.
The young left-handed opener had a rollercoaster of a season. He was dropped after some indifferent performances at the start but came back strongly in the recent games. He has been especially successful in the powerplay, scoring 129 runs at a strike rate of 135.78, one of the best strike rates for an Indian opener this season.
Hot Picks
Sanju Samson:The Royals captain looked in a good striking form in the last game, scoring 47 off 26 balls. Although he has recorded only two 50-plus scores this season, he has 421 runs in 15 games at a strike rate of 150.35. He has struggled against Wanindu Hasaranga in the past, but on a fresh track in Ahmedabad, he is expected to do well.
Sanju Samson:The Royals captain looked in a good striking form in the last game, scoring 47 off 26 balls. Although he has recorded only two 50-plus scores this season, he has 421 runs in 15 games at a strike rate of 150.35. He has struggled against Wanindu Hasaranga in the past, but on a fresh track in Ahmedabad, he is expected to do well.
Yuzvendra Chahal: The current purple-cap holder has his task cut out in Qualifier 2 as he is being chased closely by Hasaranga. Chahal has taken 26 wickets in 15 games, one more than his counterpart. He has the experience of playing at this venue and has taken seven wickets in as many outings.
Differential Picks
Harshal Patel: Last season’s purple-cap winner might not end with a similar tally this time, but he has been effective in the death overs. He has taken 19 wickets in 14 games at an impressive economy of 7.56. He has never gone wicketless against Royals picking up 15 wickets in just eight outings at a strike rate of 12.40.
Harshal Patel: Last season’s purple-cap winner might not end with a similar tally this time, but he has been effective in the death overs. He has taken 19 wickets in 14 games at an impressive economy of 7.56. He has never gone wicketless against Royals picking up 15 wickets in just eight outings at a strike rate of 12.40.
Obed McCoy: The West Indian left-arm seamer might not be one of the big names in this game, but he has fantastic fantasy potential as he bowls his majority of his overs at the death. In the 46 balls he bowled in the death overs this season, he picked up six wickets at an average of 11.33. Since 2021, he has picked up 32 wickets in 19 T20s and has gone wicketless only twice.
High-risk XI: 1 Sanju Samson (capt), 2 Glenn Maxwell (vice-capt), 3 Dinesh Karthik, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Faf du Plessis, 6 Devdutt Padikkal, 7 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 8 Josh Hazlewood, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Prasidh Krishna, 11 Wanindu Hasaranga
Source: ESPN Crickinfo