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RCB vs SRH: Strongest XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 Match 67

Kabir Anand · 22/05/2026 · 2 min read

RCB vs SRH: Strongest XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 Match 67

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 Playing XI vs SRH

The RCB Playing XI vs SRH is expected to include captain Rajat Patidar, who missed the previous game due to a concussion precaution. The team will also feature Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Suyash Sharma.

Top Order

Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal are expected to form the top order for RCB. Bethell has not done anything noteworthy in Phil Salt’s absence, but he might get one more game in the RCB Playing XI. Kohli has been the backbone of the RCB’s batting, and Padikkal will look to play a big and impactful knock under his belt.

Middle Order & Allrounders

Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, and Krunal Pandya are expected to form the middle order and allrounders for RCB. Patidar can be the most dangerous RCB batter in this clash, given Hyderabad’s reliance on spin at home. David has gained a reputation for playing spin well, and Sharma has received strong backing from the RCB management.

Bowlers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Suyash Sharma are expected to form the bowling attack for RCB. Kumar has been the go-to bowler for RCB this season, and Hazlewood’s presence has given the world confidence to Bhuvi. Sharma will be a great threat for the Hyderabad batters in the middle overs.

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Impact Player Options

RCB’s impact player options include Rasikh Salam, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Kanishk Chouhan, and Swapnil Singh. Salam will be the Impact Player if RCB bowls second, given the variation he has up his sleeves.

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

Kabir Anand

Kabir Anand is a senior cricket correspondent for India Today, respected for turning intricate match data into accessible and compelling narratives. A graduate of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, he began his career covering the city’s Kanga League and age‑group tournaments before stepping onto the IPL and international stage. Kabir specialises in T20 tactics, with a unique focus on the often‑overlooked art of wicketkeeping and fielding analytics. Whether breaking down a death‑over strategy or profiling the sharpest glovesmen in world cricket, his writing combines clarity with technical rigour. He has reported from multiple IPL seasons, T20 World Cups, and bilateral series, and is a regular contributor to India Today’s digital and broadcast platforms. A RedInk Award winner, Kabir remains driven by a belief that modern cricket journalism must blend real‑time data with the timeless craft of storytelling.