IPL 2022: RCB vs MI Match 18 Predicted Playing 11 and Key fantasy picks

IPL 2022 RCB vs MI: Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Mumbai Indians in match 18 as we look at the best predicted playing 11 of both the teams. 

It’s match 18 of IPL 2022, and we have two contrasting teams taking on each other. While Mumbai Indians are yet to kick-start their IPL campaign with a win, the Royal Challengers Bangalore are coming off back to back wins after an initial loss. As they face each other, Mumbai would be desperate for a win, and RCB would want to make it a hat-trick of wins. 

From Mumbai’s standpoint, the campaign has been a disappointment. It was a known fact that they had a weak team on paper, but surprisingly, it’s the young players like Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Murugan Ashwin, Basil Thampi, etc. that have done well, and experienced players like Daniel Sams, Rohit Sharma, Tim David, etc. have been a disappointment. 

Mumbai are in desperate need of Rohit Sharma stepping up in the encounter. He has failed in all three matches so far, and unless he improves his form, he may not be able to motivate the team, which seems to be in a dire state. With Suryakumar Yadav back in the squad, batting looks decent, but the bowling needs some overhaul. 

For RCB, the campaign had been good so far. After heartbreak in the first match, RCB won two close encounters on account of some good lower-order batting of Dinesh Karthik and Co. The bowling for RCB has been their strength, and with the addition of Maxwell, the batting shall look good too. Harshal Patel had once again been at his best this year; thus removing the tag of one-season wonder. 

So, with that, let’s look at the best predicted playing 11 for Match 18 RCB vs MI of IPL 2022. Before that, let’s look at the key match details. In terms of match prediction, According to the leading cricket betting website, Betway, the odds seem to be in favour of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. While RCB have winnings odds of 1.97, MI have winning odds at 1.95. 

Match Details:

• Type: IPL 2022 Match 18 – RCB vs MI
• When: April 9, 2022
• Where: Pune
• Time: 7:30 pm IST

IPL 2022 RCB vs MI: Predicted Playing XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batting shall be boosted by the return of Big show Glenn Maxwell. Having been on personal leave on account of his marriage in the initial few matches, Maxwell’s return strengthens the batting for RCB. He shall take Sherfane Rutherford’s place. RCB would have also liked Josh Hazlewood to return, but he could take some time, and in his place, David Willey should continue. 

Apart from Maxwell, RCB will play the same team. Anuj Rawat did show some signs of form, and that should motivate RCB to continue playing him at the top. However, RCB would want their prime batter, Virat Kohli to return to form. He has three failures from three innings, and that’s not expected from your prime batter. 

The best news for RCB is the form of Harshal Patel. He has continued his good form from 2021, and has answered his critics who were calling him a one-season wonder. In addition, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Deep, David Willey, and Mohammed Siraj look in good form too. With Maxwell back, his off-spin can also be utilized as and when required.

IPL 2022 RCB vs MI: Predicted Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik (WK), David Willey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep & Mohammed Siraj 

IPL 2022 RCB vs MI: Predicted Playing XI for Mumbai Indians

The biggest problem that Mumbai Indians have faced till now has been their bowling. This will definitely see some change, and the most important change that we can see is dropping Daniel Sams. Sams has been very poor as a bowler, and the pace of Riley Meredith can solve this problem to some extent. 

Other than the bowling, Captain Rohit Sharma will have to step up. He has been struggling as a batter in IPL this year, but with batting not being so strong, MI need Rohit to play a captain’s knock to see his team get their first points. The good thing for MI is the form of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.

IPL 2022 RCB vs MI: Predicted Playing 11 for Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith, Tymal Mills, Murugan Ashwin, Basil Thami & Jasprit Bumrah

Fantasy XI Prediction for RCB vs MI: 

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli & Glenn Maxwell

Wks: Ishan Kishan 

All-rounders: Dewald Brevis

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Tymal Mills, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah & Akash Deep

CVC Choice: Virat Kohli & Ishan Kishan

If Mumbai Indians manage to finally get off the mark, it can give them a boost for the remaining campaign. If not, Rohit Sharma led team could find it tough to qualify for the Playoffs. Whereas for RCB, it’s a great opportunity to be the table toppers. With a win, they will be at the number 1 position securing 8 points. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Match 18 RCB vs MI of IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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