IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s strongest predicted XI against Kolkata Knight Riders

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be aiming to take a giant stride towards qualifying for the playoffs when they lock horns with an in-form Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Match 57 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday, May 13. 

RCB had lost their way in the tournament, losing two consecutive games before tasting victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their previous fixture at the same venue courtesy of a last-ball thriller. 

The defending champions usually refrain from making any drastic changes to their playing XI, apart from the forced ones due to injuries to the usual starters. One can, therefore, expect a similar team to the one that defeated MI a few days ago. 

Here is RCB’s strongest predicted XI vs KKR, Match 57, IPL 2026:

Top Order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt/Jacob Bethell

The RCB top order usually comprises Virat Kohli opening alongside one English batter, be it Phil Salt or Jacob Bethell. Salt, however, has missed the last five games due to injury, allowing Bethell to take his place up the order.

Kohli, on the other hand, is due for a big score after scoring two consecutive ducks in this season’s IPL. Devdutt Padikkal, meanwhile, came in as an Impact Sub during their game against MI, and could do the same against KKR on Wednesday.

Middle Order: Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya

RCB have heavily relied on their top order and skipper Rajat Patidar for a bulk of their runs this season. But they found a new batting hero in Krunal Pandya in their last match. The left-hander scored 73 off 46 to take over the batting mantle after the top order failed to deliver. Jitesh Sharma’s form remains a cause of concern, with the wicketkeeper scoring just 82 runs in 11 matches.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to show his prowess with the new ball to be the rightful holder of the Purple Cap with 21 scalps to his name. The right-arm seamer took four wickets against MI to dismantle their top order. Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood are RCB’s joint-second-highest wicket-takers with 10 each.

RCB’s predicted playing XI vs KKR in Match 57, IPL 2026:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt/Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar.

Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal