IPL 2017: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Predicted Playing XI

The Bangalore franchise is like the bright kid in school who is well versed with everything, but forgets all of it during the actual exam. Their IPL 10 journey has begun on a horrible note, with no Virat Kohli to start the tournament, and KL Rahul sidelined for the whole edition. Sarfaraz Khan was a late entrant to the list, injuring his leg during one of the practice sessions.

As has been the case for several seasons, Bangalore’s team balance seems skewed towards the batting side, despite the absence of Kohli. The composition isn’t ideal, especially because players like Gayle and Watson don’t play for their respective nations anymore, and the bowling is also low on international experience.

It is up to the big names to stand up and deliver, and the youngsters to play the supporting role with earnestness. Here’s a look at what the starting XI might look like against the Sunrisers Hyderabad for their opening match:

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Openers:

Chris Gayle

The maverick is back. His stocks might have dropped, and the international appearances diminished, but Chris Gayle, even at 37, can smack a cricket ball far and wide. The RCB top order is reeling with injury blows, and a characteristically free-flowing Gayle might have to play a more responsible role at the top.

A proven star for the Bangalore franchise, Gayle didn’t have an exceptional IPL 2016. The recent Pakistan Super League failed to see him generate even one 50+ score. The signs aren’t good, but Gayle has never worked on track records. Watching the vociferous Bengaluru crowd cheer from the sidelines of a tiny Chinnaswamy ground, the giant might wake up and deliver a sucker punch.

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Shane Watson (Captain)

His last international game was exactly one year ago. Yet, he has been plying his trade with T20 leagues around the world, more recently in the Big Bash and the PSL. The numbers might not be very impressive, but returning to the IPL, a tournament that gave his career a huge boost, might bring back the Watson of old.

He hinted at playing high up the order, and with no Virat Kohli or KL Rahul to open the innings, he might return to reprise the opener’s role, a job that he did with aplomb for the Rajasthan Royals. Also in the focus will be his bowling, for the innocuous medium pace has been a regular feature across seasons. Also, in the absence of Kohli, Watson will be captaining the side.

Middle order:

AB de Villiers

Things have changed a lot for Mr. 360 since IPL 2016. In the form of his life throughout 2015, de Villiers fell off the tracks after a back injury brought a halt to his charge. Reports further came in that he was close to retiring from Test cricket.

Ever since his comeback in 2017, he has been in sublime form, notching up a string of good scores to get back to his former explosive self. With no Kohli to start the IPL with, the captaincy mantle will shift to the South African. Also, given that de Villiers has to shield the middle order, he might find it tough to for the kill straight away.

He is expected to miss out on Bangalore’s opening game against Hyderabad, but will be fit in time to be part of the second game. In De Villiers’ absence, Travis Head might get a look-in in the playing XI on April 5.

Travis Head might play RCB’s opening match, with AB de Villiers likely to sit out.

Although he missed the Momentum Cup final due to a back problem, AB de Villiers announced his arrival in India with the following tweet:

Great to be back in Bangalore. Looking forward to the start of the 2017 IPL, come on @RCBTweets! #PlayBold

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) April 3, 2017

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Mandeep Singh

The diminutive attacking batsman, who had been on the fringes of national selection for a while, finally got his break last year, when he made his T20I debut for India against Zimbabwe. Before that, Mandeep made all the right noises in the domestic circles, and also in the IPL (he was the highest run-getter for Kings XI Punjab in the 2012 season).

Last year, he managed to play just one match, before an injury ruled him out of the season. KL Rahul came in to fill in the gap, and the move resurrected his career. One year later, with KL Rahul injured, Mandeep can come in and do the same for himself.

Lower middle order

Kedar Jadhav

The rewards might have come a little late, but 32-year old Kedar Jadhav is finally getting the right opportunities. Given a more prominent role of a finisher in the recent ODI series, Jadhav has emerged as a dependable batsman with an eye to pick gaps and the ability to soak in pressure. Given that the RCB middle order is fickle, someone like Jadhav can bring sanity in the middle if a collapse takes place.

Also, Jadhav is likely to emerge as the frontrunner to don the keeping gloves. He might not be brilliant behind the stumps, but he can do the job decently.

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Sachin Baby

Sarfaraz Khan would have pipped him to the playing XI, but an untimely injury to the 19-year old means that he will most likely sit out of the tournament. In such a case, left-handed Sachin Baby, who played 11 matches for the franchise last year, might get a longer rope this time. He couldn’t get going in the last edition, but the Kerala limited overs captain can tonk the ball, as demonstrated by his strike rate last year, which hovered around the 140s.

His off spin is also a useful addition, and he was used sparingly last year, even managing to pick up a couple of wickets. If Watson does require some variety in the bowling attack, Baby can roll his arm over.

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Stuart Binny

The internet can be a harsh place, and it did not spare Stuart Binny when he hurtled to an all-time low against West Indies in 2016, getting pasted by Evin Lewis in a T20 (he got smacked for five sixes in one over). The emergence of Hardik Pandya completely edged out Binny, and with age not on his side, an Indian recall looks bleak.

To harbour any hopes of getting a place back, Binny will have to have a stellar IPL. And, as much as Binny needs the IPL, RCB needs Binny to kick. Already looking fragile, the line-up could gain from Binny’s flexibility as an all-rounder.

Spinners:

Iqbal Abdulla

They might have Pawan Negi in their ranks, but the RCB team will most likely go with Iqbal Abdulla, one of the unsung heroes of their campaign last year. With their bowling resources looking dodgy, the RCB opted for Abdulla late last year, and the 27-year old did not disappoint them.

In eight matches last year, Abdulla took six wickets, and also showed his prowess with the bat in the qualifiers. His tight lines hardly give the batsman any air to breathe, and present RCB additional spin options apart from Chahal.

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Yuzvendra Chahal

2016 turned out to be the year that changed Chahal for the better. After a fruitful IPL, Chahal got a call-up to the Indian team, and proved his mettle with some match-winning performances in the next six months. He bowls nagging lines and teases the batsman with his guile, traits that he has learnt from his time as a chess player.

In 13 matches last year, he took 21 wickets, the most for his franchise, and held the bowling together throughout the season. This year, with the bowling still looking weak, Chahal will be banked upon to repeat his heroics.

Pacers:

Sreenath Aravind

From being told by doctors that he might never play again in 2008, to being RCB’s leading wicket taker in 2011, Aravind has been the story of resilience and hard work. He isn’t a flashy performer, but a quiet worker who lets his bowling talk for him. In 2015, he came in as replacement, and was integral in getting the initial wickets for RCB last year.

With a brittle bowling attack for company, and the absence of Mitchell Starc, Aravind will have to step up and be counted. Also, given that a quicker Aniket Chowdhary is in contention, Aravind won’t have it easy in the playing XI.

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Tymal Mills

RCB’s brand new recruit comes with a reputation to live up to, and while he might take some time to settle at first, he can be the X-factor RCB was looking for. A strapping left armer with an unconventional bowling style, Mills is the ideal T20 bowler, mixing up his regular deliveries with those bereft of pace. His battle from a congenital back problem to a Rs. 12 crore contract this year has been one of the most inspiring tales of the year.

With Mitchell Starc not in the mix, Mills will become a key component to dispel RCB’s bowling woes. Chris Gayle believes that he can help RCB lift their first title. Hopefully, he doesn’t go the Chris Jordan way.