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RCB Vs PBKS Timeline: How Rain Could Influence Kohli And Co's Batting Order At Chinnaswamy

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli and Phil Salt [Source: AP Photos]Virat Kohli and Phil Salt [Source: AP Photos]

The 34th match of IPL 2025 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium faces potential rain disruption, with overs being reduced after 8:40 PM at a rate of one over per four minutes. This situation demands strategic flexibility from RCB's think tank to maximize their batting resources based on match duration.

The Full Arsenal: RCB's Batting Firepower

RCB boasts impressive batting firepower this season, with Tim David leading the strike rate charts at 195.74, followed by Phil Salt (187.39) and Rajat Patidar (161.74). The ever-reliable Virat Kohli, while striking at a more measured 143.35, remains their highest run-scorer with 248 runs. This blend of explosive hitters and calculated accumulators gives RCB various strategic options for rain-affected scenarios.

15-Over Strategy: Balanced Aggression

In a moderately truncated 15-over contest, RCB can maintain a relatively traditional approach. Opening with Phil Salt alongside Virat Kohli provides both immediate aggression and stability. The key tactical shift would be promoting Tim David to number three, unleashing his tournament-leading strike rate for RCB earlier than usual.

15-Over Lineup:

  1. Phil Salt (SR: 187.39)
  2. Virat Kohli (SR: 143.35)
  3. Tim David (SR: 195.74)
  4. Liam Livingstone (SR: 133.87)
  5. Rajat Patidar (SR: 161.74)
  6. Jitesh Sharma (SR: 154.39)
  7. Devdutt Padikkal (SR: 141.67)

10-Over Assault: Strike Rate Priority

A severely shortened 10-over match calls for bold decision-making. The traditional batting hierarchy must give way to strike rate supremacy. Livingstone and Salt should open together, creating maximum powerplay damage. Patidar and Tim David should continue the onslaught in the middle, while Kohli – usually an opener – drops to number six.

10-Over Lineup:

  1. Liam Livingstone (SR: 133.87)
  2. Phil Salt (SR: 187.39)
  3. Rajat Patidar (SR: 161.74)
  4. Tim David (SR: 195.74)
  5. Jitesh Sharma (SR: 154.39)
  6. Virat Kohli (SR: 143.35)
  7. Devdutt Padikkal (SR: 141.67)

5-Over Blitz: All-Out Attack

In an extreme 5-over scenario, RCB must abandon conventional batting wisdom entirely. The lineup becomes a simple strike-rate hierarchy, with David and Salt tasked with facing most of the 30 deliveries. The remaining batters serve mainly as insurance against early wickets.

5-Over Lineup:

  1. Tim David (SR: 195.74)
  2. Phil Salt (SR: 187.39)
  3. Liam Livingstone (SR: 133.87)
  4. Rajat Patidar (SR: 161.74)
  5. Jitesh Sharma (SR: 154.39)
  6. Virat Kohli (SR: 143.35)

Conclusion: Flexibility is Key

RCB's batting depth allows them to adapt seamlessly to whatever playing conditions materialise. By reorganising their lineup based on match duration rather than rigid batting positions, they can maximise their scoring potential in any scenario. This willingness to promote the highest strike-rate players in shortened games could prove decisive in a rain-affected encounter where every ball carries heightened importance.