If there has been any side in IPL that has promised great things at the start of every season, but have disappointed at the end, it has to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Over the past seasons, RCB have boasted of some of the greatest T20 batsmen, however that has not translated into them getting their hands on the coveted trophy. In the past decade in the IPL, RCB have managed to get to the play-offs of five occasions and have ended up as runners-up on three of those occasions. This season, however, with a squad balance which is much better than the previous editions, RCB fans can hope for some good things coming their way.
Strengths
RCB, as always, have an extremely strong batting line-up. However, their bowling line-up has undergone a massive change. With a whole host of top quality bowlers, Kohli would be glad to have a good bowling attack at his disposal, for a change.
Top quality international all-rounders give RCB the flexibility to choose their team as per the conditions on a given day.
Sundar and Chahal bowled well together in the Nidahas trophy and now are back together for RCB. In addition to these two, they have Negi, Moeen Ali an Murugan Ashwin to complete their spin department. The variety that these guys bring to the table would be great for RCB
Areas of concern
RCB, a lot of times, tend to get their batting line-up wrong. They need to ensure that the best batsmen in their team get to face the maximum deliveries.
Royal Challengers Bangalore squad – IPL 2018
Probable Starting XI: Quinton de Kock, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Colin de Grandhomme, Washington Sundar, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Top-order
Kohli has had a lot of success in that opener’s slot for RCB, he will be looking to repeat it this this season as well. Having let go of Gayle, de Kock will partner Kohli this time around. If both of them get going and with the amount of power-hitting to follow, it will be difficult to stop RCB from getting those big scores. At No.3 will be another RCB regular, the 360 man, AB de Villliers. There is hardly another player who can manipulate the field as well as AB does.
Middle-order
Inspite of having missed the previous season due to injury, RCB have shown a lot of faith in Sarfaraz Khan, by retaining him. He should come in at number 4 for them. With the limited opportunities he has had in IPL, he has demonstrated his capabilities as a batsman. Mandeep Singh and Colin de Grandhomme at 5 and 6 give the top-order batsmen the much needed cushion to go after the bowling sooner rather than later. These three can be pushed up and down as per the match situation. de Grandhomme is a sensational striker of the ball and when he gets going its an absolute delight to watch. RCB will hope that they get a lot of match-defining knocks from him. In addition to his batting, de Grandhomme also contributes quite a bit with the ball.
Lower middle-order
Washington Sundar showed his prowess with the ball in the recently concluded Nidahas trophy. However, he is more than handy as a batsman as well. He might also be used as an opener or as a pinch-hitter at number 3, just like RPS did on a few occasions last time around. He will also, in all probabilities, be opening the bowling for RCB. He is an extremely effective bowler in the powerplay overs, picking up wickets while bowling at an extremely good economy rate. Woakes, coming in at number 7, should give RCB the much needed impetus towards the end of the innings. In addition to his big hitting, is also a very good new ball bowler, someone who can get those early breakthroughs for the side.
Bowlers
Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Siraj and Chahal should complete the XI for RCB. Over the last one year, Chahal has become a constant part of the one-day setup for India. Has a knack of picking up wickets, even though he can go for a lot of runs sometimes. Though, Siraj and Yadav, tend to go for a lot of runs towards the end overs, they can get the early breakthroughs for the side. RCB also have a lot of bowling options to choose from, in case these two do not perform well.
Players to watch out for
Virat Kohli is the only player to be associated with the same franchise since the first IPL. He has been in sensational form over the past one year, across all formats. Having taken a much deserved break before the start of IPL, Kohli would be eager to bring the IPL trophy to Bangalore.
Coming on the back of a terrific series against Australia, AB de Villiers would be riding high on confidence. With almost 3500 runs at a strike rate of almost 150, AB has been a consistent player for RCB over the years.
Colin de Grandhomme is a terrific striker of the ball and in addition to it, is a very handy bowler in the middle overs. With a tendency to break partnerships, his bowling will often be used by Kohli.
If there is any bowler in the RCB ranks who has performed for them on a consistent basis, it has to be Yuzvendra Chahal. Kohli likes using Chahal at critical situations due to the attacking lines that he bowls and his ability to pick wickets. This season too, Chahal will be leading RCB’s spin attack and would play a vital role in their campaign.
Expected position in the league table – Bottom half
Royal Challengers Bangalore start their IPL campaign with an away game, an 8pm start, against Kolkata Knight Riders on 8th April. Full schedule of Royal Challengers Bangalore