IPL 2018: 4 Best opening combinations for RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore did reasonably well at the IPL 2018 players auction in January. For the first time in their 10-year history, they look well balanced on paper in terms of both batting and bowling.

This year, they chose to invest sensibly on quality players and didn't splurge on the big names like they usually do. With as many as six openers in their squad, they do have a problem of plenty when it comes to opening combinations.

It remains to be seen as to which pair will walk out to open the innings in their first game of the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Let us look at four combinations that will most likely be used by RCB.

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#1 Brendon Mccullum - Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel is a player who relies on timing and plays the ball with finesse, whereas Brendon McCullum is known for his explosive power at the top of the order. Both these batsmen could complement each other in terms of batting style.

Another plus point is the left-right combination that they'll form at the top of the order. This pair provides RCB stability. Parthiv was in splendid form for Gujarat in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare trophy, where he scored a well crafted 143 against the defending champions Mumbai.

On the other hand, Brendon McCullum was not particularly in great nick in the Pakistan Super League earlier this year. He finished the tournament with three single-digit scores and a high score of 44 against the Karachi Kings in Dubai.

One can never count him out though and he will be a force to reckon with in IPL 2018. He will be looking to find some form for RCB early on in the season. This could prove to be the ideal opening pair for RCB!

#2 Brendon McCullum - Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli opened the batting for RCB in 2016 and finished with an outstanding haul of 973 runs. Ignoring the fact that he came into the tournament in the form of his life after a fantastic T20 World Cup campaign, opening the innings suits the RCB captain well in the T20 format as he has things in his control right from ball one.

This opening combination allows AB de Villers to bat at 3, a move that could reap massive rewards for RCB. Kohli could play the anchor role and bat through the innings while McCullum goes after the bowling right from the outset.

Opening the innings will give the RCB captain the opportunity to lead from the front, something he has shown a liking for right from the initial stages of his career.

Having been rested for the Nidahas Trophy, Kohli will come into the IPL fresh and rearing to go. Captain Kohli will be itching to get his hands on the silverware after ten years of having failed to do so.

Opening the innings might just help him take the onus upon himself and guide RCB to their first ever IPL title. This opening pair could serve RCB well!

Quinton de Kock - Brendon McCullum

This combination is likely to send a chill down the spine of the bowlers. Quinton de Kock's only century in the IPL came in a match against RCB in Bengaluru, when he scored 108 of 51 balls for the Delhi Daredevils in 2016.

Having already scored a century at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will give him the confidence he requires to perform well for RCB. McCullum too will have fond memories of the stadium as he set the IPL on fire here in the first match of the tournament in 2008. He was at his brutal best, scoring 158 of 73 balls.

McCullum will enjoy batting with de Kock and can feed off him to find some form early on in the tournament.

Though both batsmen are explosive openers who could give RCB a strong foundation to build their innings, this combination will result in Kohli batting at number 3 and de Villiers at 4. This is not ideal as the team would like their best batsmen to be facing most balls.

RCB might want to play Parthiv Patel instead of Quinton De Kock to save the overseas slot for a strong bowling option. The RCB think tank will have to weigh their options and take a call keeping these factors in mind!

Quinton de Kock - Virat Kohli

The left-right opening combination of Quinton de Kock and Virat Kohli might give RCB flexibility in the middle order. AB de Villiers at 3 and Sarfaraz Khan at 4, followed by the big-hitting Corey Anderson, and that's a strong top order.

Unfortunately, this would mean Brendon McCullum and Parthiv Patel will have to sit out. de Kock and Virat, along with de Villiers could form a solid top three for RCB.

The two South Africans know each other's game very well, which could benefit RCB massively.

de Kock's versatility means that he can play the role of an anchor to stabilize the innings when required and also get going right from ball one. This would take the pressure off Kohli and allow him to settle in.