Phil Salt Out, Jacob Bethell In? RCB Strongest XI vs MI for IPL 2026, Match 20

RCB Strongest XI vs MI for IPL 2026. Credits - AP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were thrashed by the young RR brigade on Friday. After standing up and dusting off their clothes, RCB will be at loggerheads with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in another away game, at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday evening.

In a rain-halted fixture, Bengaluru were asked to bat first. The visitors kept on losing wickets on regular encounters, but Rajat Patidar (63) and Venkatesh Iyer (29*) took them to 201/8 from 125/7 at one stage.

Although 201 runs on the board weren’t enough, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took matters into his hands and stole the show inside the first 10 overs. He was dismissed in the ninth over, but only after hitting 78 in just 26 balls. Later, Dhruv Jurel took them with his unbeaten 81.

Ahead of their next clash, let us look at what could be the RCB Playing XI vs MI.

RCB Playing XI vs MI- IPL 2026, Match 20

Top Order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal

Why RCB won't drop Phil Salt for Jacob Bethell?

RCB had a disastrous start when Phil Salt was dismissed on a golden duck. The fans are asking for the introduction of Jacob Bethell, given his recent form in the 2026 T20 World Cup, but the team management is likely to continue with Phil Salt, especially his assault vs CSK, in the RCB Playing XI vs MI.

Virat Kohli had hit as many as seven boundaries in his brief stay vs RR. Although Ravi Bishnoi set a rare record when he bowled Kohli, there is no question about King's place, and he will be motivated to play a match-winning knock for his team.

Devdutt Padikkal is one of the most consistent batters in this Bengaluru line-up. He had a rare failure against RR, but he will be back in runs on Mumbai's batting paradise.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Sends Special Message To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In IPL 2026

Middle Order & All-Rounders: Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya

Rajat Patidar revived the RCB innings with his first half-century of the season, though his knock was overshadowed by the Vaibhav Sooryavanshi masterclass. RCB dashing finishers, Tim David and Jitesh Sharma, failed when it was needed of them. But it won't be the case every time, and we are all aware of what Tim David did to CSK. There is no doubt about these three's places in the RCB Playing XI vs MI.

RCB missed a trick by underutilising Romario Shepherd against Rajasthan. His ideal length - back of a length - would have been fruitful against Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel. Nevertheless, the all-rounder will be a potent part of the RCB Playing XI.

That Krunal Pandya over pulled things back for Bengaluru when he removed Sooryavanshi and Shimron Hetmyer. He was one of the positives in their line-up in the previous game.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled may have returned wicketless, but he bowled really well in a phase when RR were attacking them. There has to be no debate about Bhuvi's place in the RCB Playing XI vs MI. Josh Hazlewood returned to the RCB Playing XI with a two-fer. He had a brilliant pairing with the swing king.

Suyash Sharma couldn't play against the Royals, as his side was forced to bring Venkatesh Iyer as the Impact Player. However, the leg-spinner is a wicket-taker and is likely to be crucial at Wankhede.

Abhinandan Singh was blasted for 0/51 in his three overs by the Rajasthan batters. After that failure, the right-arm quick might be replaced by Mangesh Yadav, who will come in as the Impact Player.

RCB Predicted Playing XI vs MI- Match 19, IPL 2026

Virat Kohli
Phil Salt
Devdutt Padikkal
Rajat Patidar (c)
Tim David
Jitesh Sharma (wk)
Romario Shepherd
Krunal Pandya
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Josh Hazlewood
Suyash Sharma