{"id":9487,"date":"2026-05-13T12:30:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T12:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/zaheer-khan-suggests-rcb-changes-xi-ahead-of-clash-vs-kkr-in-ipl-2026"},"modified":"2026-05-13T12:30:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T12:30:43","slug":"zaheer-khan-suggests-rcb-changes-xi-ahead-of-clash-vs-kkr-in-ipl-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/zaheer-khan-suggests-rcb-changes-xi-ahead-of-clash-vs-kkr-in-ipl-2026","title":{"rendered":"Zaheer Khan Suggests RCB Changes XI Ahead of Clash vs KKR in IPL 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru may need to rethink their XI when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday. It is RCB\u2019s second outing at the venue, and ahead of the contest Zaheer flagged the possibility of a surface that behaves unpredictably\u2014something that could influence both their bowling stocks and the balance of their team.<\/p>\n

In RCB\u2019s previous match at the same ground, the Rajat Patidar-led side secured a dramatic two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in a last-ball finish. That close outcome has only added to the attention on how the Raipur pitch is playing, with Zaheer expecting uneven bounce and more assistance for pace than teams might typically anticipate.<\/p>\n

Zaheer\u2019s suggested changes for RCB vs KKR in Raipur<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Zaheer said RCB should be prepared for a track that may offer irregular bounce, which could make life easier for fast bowlers.<\/li>\n
  2. Based on that expectation, he suggested the Bengaluru management could consider dropping either Romario Shepherd or Jacob Bethell to bring in an additional specialist Indian pace option or an overseas fast bowler.<\/li>\n
  3. He added that if RCB decide to go for an overseas pacer, the team combination would look different, but the adjustment would not be \u201ctoo bad\u201d.<\/li>\n
  4. Zaheer highlighted Jacob Duffy as an example of the kind of bowler who could strengthen the attack, saying that adding a bowler of that profile would improve their bowling.<\/li>\n
  5. He also pointed to the struggles of spinner Suyash Sharma, suggesting the leg-spinner\u2019s current form could be a reason to consider a change.<\/li>\n
  6. Zaheer suggested RCB could potentially drop Suyash Sharma in favour of Venkatesh Iyer, noting that Suyash has managed only seven wickets across 10 matches this season, at an economy rate of 8.57.<\/li>\n
  7. For batting options, Zaheer noted that with Venkatesh Iyer available, either Suyash Sharma or one of the overseas players might have to make way, depending on how the playing XI is shaped.<\/li>\n
  8. He further remarked that Suyash\u2019s form has not been strong and that the pitch may not have offered him much either, reinforcing the case for a possible rethink.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Zaheer\u2019s comments come after he referenced the way RCB\u2019s last match in Raipur unfolded on Sunday. In that encounter, RCB found themselves in trouble after sliding to 39 for 3 in just 5.1 overs, but Krunal Pandya produced an innings worth remembering to keep Mumbai in contention.<\/p>\n

    Krunal struck 73 off 46 balls, holding one end steady under pressure. Still, once his wicket fell, the momentum shifted, and although it opened the door for Mumbai Indians, RCB managed to stay composed and hold their nerve right up to the final delivery.<\/p>\n

    With the chase hanging in the balance, RCB required two runs off the last ball and succeeded in getting the needed result. Earlier in the same match, Tilak Varma contributed a quick 57 off 42 deliveries, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a decisive spell with four wickets, helping limit Mumbai Indians to 166 for 7 in their 20 overs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru may need to rethink their XI when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9486,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Zaheer Khan Tips RCB XI Changes vs KKR | IPL 2026","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Zaheer Khan previews RCB vs KKR in IPL 2026, urging a possible XI rethink for Raipur\u2019s tricky pitch and highlighting how it could shape team balance.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\nZaheer Khan Tips RCB XI Changes vs KKR | IPL 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Zaheer Khan previews RCB vs KKR in IPL 2026, urging a possible XI rethink for Raipur\u2019s tricky pitch and highlighting how it could shape team 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