Fantasy Pick: Bank on the in-form KL Rahul to deliver
Apr 19: Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 31st Match, DY Patil Stadium
Safe XI: KL Rahul (capt), Quinton de Kock, Dinesh Karthik, Faf du Plessis, Deepak Hooda, Manish Pandey, Glenn Maxwell (vice-capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Ravi Bishnoi
Captain: KL Rahul
KL Rahul has phenomenal numbers against Royal Challengers. Since 2018, he has scored 451 runs in eight outings at an average of 90.20 and a strike rate of 151.85 against the side. He is fresh out of a 60-ball 103* against Mumbai Indians in the previous game. Expect him to bring that form into this game.
Vice-captain: Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell has been in good touch with the bat scoring 26 (11) and 55 (34) in recent outings. He was the leading run-scorer for Royal Challengers last season too, with 513 runs in 14 games at an average of 42.75 and a strike rate of 144.10. He has been particularly brilliant against spin since 2021, scoring 326 runs at a strike rate of 163.81, averaging 46.57.
Hot Picks
Dinesh Karthik: The man in form, Dinesh Karthik has been exceptional for Royal Challengers, topping the run-chart this season with 197 runs in six outings at a stellar strike rate of 209.57. He is the leading run-scorer in the death overs this tournament with 136 runs at a strike rate of 238.59, and just one dismissal in six innings.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Hasaranga is one of the very few bowlers who have not gone wicketless even in a single outing this season. He has taken 11 wickets in six games so far this season. Although he is yet to get a solid batting opportunity, he can definitely get you batting points as well.
Differential Picks
Mohammed Siraj: After a couple of disappointing performances, Siraj came back well in the last outing picking up 2 for 31 against Delhi Capitals. Since 2020 in powerplays, he has taken 13 wickets in 28 outings at an economy of 6.98.
Ravi Bishnoi: The youngster has been bowling very well but has been a bit unlucky in terms of wickets and is due for a big one. He has taken five wickets in six outings so far at an economy of 7.16. Against Royal Challengers, he has taken 2 for 17 and 3 for 32 in the past.
High Risk XI: Dinesh Karthik (vice-capt), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Glenn Maxwell, Jason Holder, Shahbaz Ahmed, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga (capt), Ravi Bishnoi