Now, the Titans are gearing up to adjust their strategies at a venue notorious for being tough for spin bowlers.
Overview
Virat Kohli has often struggled against spinners in T20s, but in the recent match, he showcased his brilliance against one of IPL’s top spin attacks, keeping RCB’s season hopes alive, albeit narrowly. This Saturday, he faces the same challenge as Gujarat Titans visit the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Before the first encounter with GT, Kohli’s strike rate against spin this season was 123.57, while in IPL 2023, it stood at 112.8. However, in Ahmedabad, he scored 61 out of his 70 runs against spinners, at an impressive strike rate of 179.41. Notably, Kohli’s last innings was one of the most dominant displays by an opener against spinners in IPL history, with no other opener scoring a higher proportion of runs against slower bowlers while reaching the 50-run mark.
Kohli seems poised to replicate his performance, having dedicated an extended session to face spinners on the eve of the match, focusing on improving his ability to hit them for boundaries.
Kohli’s dismantling of GT’s spinners, combined with Jacks’ explosive batting, ensured RCB chased down 201 without needing their designated spin hitters – Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell – to bat.
R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad all conceded more than 10 runs per over, setting up a challenging rematch on a ground known to be tough for spinners. With GT relying heavily on their bowling strength, they must rethink their strategy to prevent RCB from securing a third consecutive victory.
Team Updates and Key Players Strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Having secured consecutive victories, RCB is expected to maintain their winning combination from the previous match. However, they have the flexibility to consider including Mahipal Lomror or an additional bowler like Vyshak Vijaykumar or Akash Deep.
Expected Playing XII:
- Faf du Plessis (capt)
- Virat Kohli
- Will Jacks
- Rajat Patidar
- Glenn Maxwell
- Cameron Green
- Dinesh Karthik (wk)
- Karn Sharma
- Mohammed Siraj
- Yash Dayal
- Swapnil Singh
- Mahipal Lomror/Vyshak Vijaykumar/Akash Deep
Gujarat Titans: GT are unlikely to tinker with their team, although they may be tempted to play an extra pacer in Josh Little or Spencer Johnson ahead of Noor Ahmad in Bengaluru.
Expected Playing XII:
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shahrukh Khan
- David Miller
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- R Sai Kishore
- Mohit Sharma
- Noor Ahmad/Josh Little
- Sandeep Warrier
Recent Track Record
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: [RCB] :[ W , W , L , L , L]
Gujarat Titans: [GT] :[ L , L , W , L , W]
In the limelight
Glenn Maxwell, a consistent performer for RCB in past seasons, has faced a slump in form in IPL 2024, managing only 32 runs across six innings, with a notable 28 coming in a single match. After being dropped from the XI, he returned against GT but didn’t bat in Ahmedabad, although he did contribute with the crucial wicket of GT’s captain, Shubman Gill. With Patidar and Jacks finding form in RCB’s middle order, Maxwell’s role may be less demanding, allowing him to play more freely.
Shubman Gill, leading an IPL team for the first time and arriving in this season after an impressive run in the previous edition, hasn’t hit the heights expected. With only 320 runs in 10 matches and two half-centuries to his name, it’s been a modest tournament for him so far. However, a return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium could reignite his form, as he had scored a century during his last visit there in IPL 2023.
Pitch Conditions and Statistics
Bengaluru experienced heavy rainfall on Friday afternoon, although it eased off in the evening. The forecast for Saturday predicts cloudy skies, but it’s unlikely that rain will disrupt the match.
Important Stats:
- Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the only batsmen in IPL 2024 to face 100 or more balls in the powerplay while striking below 140. This has contributed to GT having the slowest scoring rate in the powerplay this season.
- Virat Kohli has shown a strong performance record against Gujarat Titans, with his lowest score being 58 in four innings, boasting an impressive average of 151 against them.
- GT’s Afghan spinners could pose a challenge for RCB’s skipper Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis has been dismissed by Rashid twice in 13 innings and by Noor twice in two innings.
Optimizing Dream11 Lineups with Spontasy App
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RCB, led by the dynamic Virat Kohli, presents a formidable challenge with a star-studded lineup including Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans boast a strong bowling attack led by Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore, making them a force to reckon with.
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