Royal Challengers Bangalore, placed sixth in the league table go up against the fifth-placed Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. In the first double-header of the season, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to take the first spot in the points table before Delhi go up against Kolkata Knight Riders at 19:30 IST.
Royal Challengers Bangalore are on the back of a super-over victory against Mumbai Indians. In a well-fought contest, RCB came on top despite Ishan Kishan and Keiron Pollard’s late onslaught in the game. Though RCB claimed two points, there are a lot of concerns for the Bangalore outfit.
Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s star attraction, Virat Kohli is yet to find his feet in the league and has struggled to score runs. His best score in three games is 14 and if the failure continues, it will burden other players. However, the stupendous performances from Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch and AB de Villiers have saved the grace for the skipper. Also, the death bowling issues have once again cropped up for RCB. If RCB are to win, they have to look after these issues against Rajasthan Royals.
Here are the top three picks for Royal Challengers Bangalore if they are to decimate Rajasthan Royals on Saturday:
#1) Devdutt Padikkal
The Karnataka lad, Devdutt Padikkal has played just three matches in the tournament and has already notched up two half-centuries in them. He also scored a half-century in his first game in the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Though he couldn’t get going in his second game against Kings XI Punjab, the player returned to his best against Mumbai Indians. He was one of the three players who scored the half-century against the Rohit Sharma-led side.
Devdutt Padikkal will be one of the three picks for Royal Challengers Bangalore who can prove to be detrimental in RCB’s victory. The 20-year-old has provided a great platform in two out of three games and will look to keep it going against the “Pink Army”
#2) Aaron Finch
The Australian international has finally rediscovered himself in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. The player scored run a ball inning in his first match whereas, in the second match, the pressure took his wicket. A half-century was pending and it came against the stronger Mumbai Indians. His fifty propelled RCB’s score which proved sufficient to draw the game.
Rajasthan Royals have a great bowling line-up consisting of Jofra Archer and Jaydev Unadkat who can clock above 140. Virat Kohli will bank on Aaron Finch and his opening partner to provide a great start on Saturday.
#3) Navdeep Saini
The Delhi based fast bowler got the applause from the cricket fan base because of bowling against Keiron Pollard and Hardik Pandya in the super over. Royal Challengers Bangalore were forced to super over, courtesy Ishan Kishan‘s great innings. However, it was Saini’s 19th over that stopped the onslaught and sent the match towards a draw.
Watch out, Abu Dhabi. The Karnal Express is inbound! 🏃🏻♂️ 💨#PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers #Dream11IPL #RCBvRR pic.twitter.com/tWRqvAtu1A
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 3, 2020
In the super over, he stopped the Mumbai outfit to a mere 7 runs, removing Pollard’s wicket. After a thumping performance, Saini will be one of the top three picks for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals.