RCB vs PBKS: Will Royal Challengers Bengaluru Pick Lockie Ferguson in IPL 2024 Match 6 Against Punjab Kings?

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RCB vs PBKS: Royal Challengers Bengaluru is likely to make a couple of changes to their playing 11 as they look to bounce back from the opening game loss in IPL 2024 match 6 against Punjab Kings.

Faf Du Plessis-led RCB lost the season opener to Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where the Bengaluru-based side failed to defend 173.

While the bowlers bar Mayank Dagar failed to stem the CSK run-flow, the batters were bailed out by a 95-run stand from Anuj Rawat (48 off 25) and Dinesh Karthik (38* off 26).

Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar fell for ducks, leading to a mini collapse from 41/0 to 78/5 in 11.4 overs, while the pace bowling unit, including Rs 11.50 Crore recruit Alzarri Joseph.

On his RCB debut, the West Indian quick Joseph conceded 38 in 3.4 overs as the team deployed a short ball approach against the likes of Shivam Dube and other CSK batters, but struggled to control those bouncers on most occasions.

Apart from Joseph, even Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, Karn Sharma and Cameron Green also struggled to control the run-flow. So, will RCB make changes to their bowling attack for their next match? Here is a look at some possible changes RCB could make for the match:

Will RCB pick Lockie Ferguson in IPL 2024 Match 6 against PBKS?

The Royal Challengers could rope in the New Zealand speedster as a like-for-like replacement for Joseph, but they may give the West Indies quick another chance to be the first choice overseas quick.

RCB has several overseas quick bowling options in the form of Joseph, Ferguson, Reece Topley and Tom Curran. All four offer something different. However, with the M Chinnaswamy Stadium known to be a batters paradise, it will be tough for any bowler to get away from going for runs.

The Andy Flower-coached side could also tinker their Indian bowling options with Vyshak Vijaykumar or Akash Deep coming into the side to replace Yash Dayal, who was bought by RCB for Rs 5 Crore.

The Challengers could also use an all Indian-bowling attack with Green adding support as an all-rounder. RCB has the choice to play an in-form Will Jacks, who can also roll his arm over as an extra aggressive batting option.

Although there is temptation to ring in those changes, RCB may stick to their 11 that played in Chennai on Friday (March 22) for their encounter against PBKS on Monday (March 25).

RCB Possible 11 vs PBKS

• RCB XI: Faf Du Plessis (captain), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Anuj Rawat (wicketkeeper), Dinesh Karthik, Mayank Dagar, Karn Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj.
• Substitutes: Yash Dayal, Suyash Prabhudessai, Swapnil Singh, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Akash Deep.