Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to field first at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune against Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals (RR). After an embarrassing score of 68 in the previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Du Plessis made one change in the side by bringing in Rajat Patidar for Anuj Rawat.
The RCB skipper also revealed that Virat Kohli will open the innings with him. Kohli has bagged two consecutive golden ducks and has not scored a half-century in the season yet.
“There will be a bit in it early on and we'll look to exploit it tonight. You have to go past it (68), it's just about getting to the playoffs, it's not how you get there. One change for us - Rajat comes in for Anuj Rawat with Virat going to the top. We want him to get going right at the top, want to see the real Virat play. This is a new game, new day and well have to play well,” Du Plessis said after winning the toss.
Samson made a couple of changes to the side despite the win in previous game. West Indies fast bowler Obed McCoy and Karun Nair have been dropped. New Zealand’s batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been handed his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut cap. Also, uncapped fast bowler Kuldeep Sen makes a comeback.
“We would have also bowled here, but we're happy to bat first as well. It's been great, he has set up a great standard, the entire team is learning a lot from him, the way he has played in accordance with the team situation, there's a lot to learn. Just put the best step forward - couple of changes, Daryl Mitchell comes in place of Karun Nair, Kuldeep Sen replaces Obed McCoy,”
RCB XI: Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajat Patidar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik(w), Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj
RR XI: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Daryl Mitchell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal
