RCB player celebrating a wicket by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Credits- AP
The Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) returned to winning ways in the first match of the Raipur leg. The defending champions will take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 57 for their final home game of the IPL 2026.
In their previous game, RCB won a close game against MI. On a dual-paced track, Krunal Pandya played the innings of his life, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam kept their calm to take them home, and to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
With the game, again Bhuvneshwar ruled the charts by taking four wickets, alongside Romario Shepherd, who bowled well.
Ahead of their next game, let us look at the best RCB Playing XI vs KKR for Match 57 of the IPL 2026, considering they will bat first.
RCB Playing XI vs KKR, IPL 2026, Match 57
Top Order: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal
Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck for the second straight time. The champion batter will look to bounce back against KKR, as he wishes to perform in such situations. Kohli's opening partner will be Jacob Bethell, especially after his key knock in the last game. The southpaw will look to do better to be a part of the RCB Playing XI.
Devdutt Padikkal started off beautifully, but was dismissed on 12 off 11. Considering Raipur's conditions and Kolkata's bowling attack, he will have to play the anchor's role in the RCB Playing XI vs KKR.
Also Read: RCB Qualification Scenario For IPL 2026 Playoffs After Win Vs Mumbai Indians
Middle Order & All-Rounder: Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya
As he himself stated in the post-match, RCB's batting was far more burly than it was against MI. Captain Rajat Patidar will look to lead from the front as a premier part of the RCB Playing XI.
Jitesh Sharma was looking brilliant during his 18-run blitz, but his dismissal cracked the game open for Mumbai. RCB will want their key middle-order batter to get back to form, and will trust him vs KKR. Tim David, again, let MI slip into the game with his dismissal, but it was a rare failure for the RCB finisher.
Romario Shepherd was the point of difference with the ball, returning with 1 for 18 in his three-over spell. However, he struggled miserably with the ball. There is a question about his place in the RCB Playing XI vs KKR, but the explosive all-rounder will likely be backed.
Krunal Pandya, after the knock of his life, will be looking to win more games for his team, but he cramped badly in the last game. If fit, there is no doubt about his place in the RCB Playing XI.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Josh Hazlewood
The form in Bhuvneshwar Kumar is that he has been single-handedly winning games for RCB. However, he will hope for better assistance from his pace partners, Rasikh Salam and Josh Hazlewood, to deliver in the RCB Playing XI.
Suyash Sharma went for runs against MI, as the track was favouring pace more, but against his former franchise, the leggie could be the biggest trump card in the RCB Playing XI vs KKR. He will most likely play as an Impact Player.
RCB Playing vs KKR- Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Josh Hazlewood.
RCB vs KKR Impact Player Options
RCB Impact Players: Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Swapnil Singh.
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