RCB are currently on top of IPL 2026 Points Table. PC- AP
Both Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have qualified for the playoffs of the IPL 2026. As the teams meet in their respective final league matches in Hyderabad, they will look to win and secure a top-two finish.
RCB played their last game without skipper Rajat Patidar, but hammered the Punjab Kings in an away fixture.
Venkatesh Iyer, playing in place of his skipper and close friend, played a remarkable knock of 73 not out, letting the defending champions post a total of 222/4.
With the ball, it was again Bhuvneshwar Kumar with early wickets, while Rasikh Salam returned with three wickets. As a result, Bengaluru registered their ninth victory of the season to stay at the IPL 2026 Points Table.
Ahead of the big clash, let us look at what could be the best-suited RCB Playing XI vs SRH for the clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday (May 22).
RCB Playing XI vs SRH, IPL 2026, Match 67
Top Order: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal
Jacob Bethell hasn't done anything noteworthy in Phil Salt's absence. However, with the English opener set to be available from the playoffs, Bethell might get one more game in the RCB Playing XI.
Virat Kohli has been the backbone of the RCB's batting, yet again. He has slammed over 500 runs at his career-best strike rate, and with knockouts just around the corner, this is King Kohli's territory to shine.
Devdutt Padikkal started off really well, but he will need to play a big and impactful knock under his belt. He will look to leave a mark against a top bowling attack like SRH's.
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Middle Order & Allrounders: Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya
RCB Captain Rajat Patidar missed the previous game as a concussion precaution, but as confirmed by his deputy Jitesh Sharma, RaPa will feature in the RCB Playing XI vs SRH. Hyderabad are relying more on spin at home, which means Patidar can be the most dangerous RCB batter in this clash.
Tim David has also gained the reputation for playing spin well. However, he will look forward to his match-up with his Australian captain and SRH's skipper, Pat Cummins.
This season hasn't been kind to Jitesh Sharma, but he has received strong backing from the RCB management. He will likely be backed yet again, especially after leading the side well vs PBKS.
Romario Shepherd's bowling will come in handy in Hyderabad, as he will be a bankable bowler using the big horizontal boundaries at Uppal. However, his finishing skills will also be important for RCB, who will need to score big to be on the safer side vs SRH's batting.
Krunal Pandya's left-arm spin will be needful, considering Harsh Dubey has bowled well at SRH's home ground. Thus, he will be crucial in the RCB Playing XI.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the go-to bowler for RCB this season. The right-arm pacer has been in great rhythm and would look to come off good yet again, playing at his former IPL home.
Although Josh Hazlewood has been going for runs in recent games, his presence has given the world confidence to Bhuvi. The two are performing too well in tandem.
The third pacer in the RCB Playing XI will be Rasikh Salam, who bagged three wickets in the last game. The variation he has up his sleeves will be well needed. He will be there as the Impact Player if RCB bowls second.
Suyash Sharma will complete the RCB Playing XI vs SRH. The leggie will be a great threat for the Hyderabad batters in the middle overs.
RCB Playing XI vs SRH- Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Kumar
SRH vs RCB Impact Player Options
RCB Impact Players- Rasikh Salam, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Kanishk Chouhan, Swapnil Singh
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