The Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Chennai Super Kings in a fresh episode of one of the IPL’s fiercest rivalries. The two sides will meet for
the 36th time, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on April 5.
In their first game of the season, RCB beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad comprehensively, by six wickets, chasing down 202 with more than four overs to spare. The team performed on a flat Chinnaswamy wicket, with both bat and ball.
They have continued with the same core that they won the title with, a unit which looks balanced and formidable. The team has made a few additions due to circumstances, but the majority remains the same.
Here is the best possible XI for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Top order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt form a formidable opening pairing for the defending champions. While Salt failed to get going against SRH, Kohli’s innings was the backbone of the chase, as he scored an unbeaten 69, holding his end when runs flowed around him and then showing his array of shots as the game waned.
Devdutt Padikkal, whose place was under question with the arrival of Venkatesh Iyer, received the backing of the team, and repaid that faith with a brilliant 61 off just 28 balls, which took the game out from the SRH’s reach early on.
Middle order: Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya
Captain Rajat Patidar will be at No. 4 is in his best role. He has earned his place as a dangerous spin-hitter and an equally capable player of pace. He is one of RCB’s most crucial members with the bat. He is followed by Jitesh Sharma, who came onto his own as a finisher in 2025.
The duo will be followed by the dangerous big-hitting pair of Tim David and Romario Shepherd, who have been reliable for RCB in finishing innings. Shepherd adds another option with his bowling, being able to come on whenever necessary.
It is unusual to see Krunal Pandya this low in a line-up, but with the batting prowess in this team, he often finds himself coming in this late. But his skill allows him to come early if needed. It is his bowling though, that has been vital for RCB. As the lead spinner, he is expected to hold the middle overs, a job he has done successfully in their title winning season.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma (impact)
Jacob Duffy is expected to take his role as Josh Hazlewood’s backup, after a Player of the Match performance. Mangesh Yadav is expected to slot in for Abhinandan Singh, who could be point of difference as a left-arm option. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is the ever-reliable veteran of the attack, and Suyash Sharma, with his wrist spin could be the impact player.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru predicted playing XI:
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mangesh Yadav, Jacob Duffy
Impact player: Suyash Sharma
