Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on SRH in their penultimate league stage game in Lucknow on Friday. Rajat Patidar and co, who have already qualified for IPL 2025 playoffs, will be eyeing to go to the top of the points table with a win against SRH. The RCB vs SRH clash was initially scheduled to be held in Bengaluru but was moved to Lucknow due to rain forecast in the southern city.
RCB predicted playing XI vs SRH
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Phil Salt | Batter |
| 2. | Virat Kohli | Batter |
| 3. | Jacob Bethell | All-rounder |
| 4. | Rajat Patidar (C) | Batter |
| 5. | Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Batter |
| 6. | Tim David | Batter |
| 7. | Romario Shepherd | Batter |
| 8. | Krunal Pandya | All-rounder |
| 9. | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| 10. | Yash Dayal | Bowler |
| 11. | Rasikh Salam | Bowler |
RCB will return to action after a two-week break. Their previous game against KKR was washed out in Bengaluru. Whether this long break will serve as a double-edged sword for RCB remains to be seen.
RCB are still awaiting the arrival of their best bowler Josh Hazlewood. The Australian, who missed the previous game due to a shoulder niggle, is expected to rejoin the side only by this weekend. However, RCB will not be worried too much as Dayal, Bhuvneshwar have done a splendid job in his absence.
Captain Rajat Patidar has recovered from a hand injury and is all but certain to be a part of the playing XI. The side is expected to retain Romario Shepherd in the line-up as well.
RCB squad for IPL 2025
Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Blessing Muzarabani, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Philip Salt, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara
The post RCB predicted playing XI vs SRH: No Hazlewood as Patidar & co eye top spot appeared first on Inside Sport India.