IPL 2018: 4 reasons why Royal Challengers Bangalore are strong contenders for the title

Rarely do we come across a team that has been to the finals of a tournament thrice and failed to win it even once. Royal Challengers Bangalore, much to the chagrin of fans, have been the Indian Premier League's version of South Africa, invariably choking at the last stage.

They've ended the IPL as runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, along with a semi-finals spot in 2010. However, in spite of good individual performances every year, the cohesion in the batting, bowling and fielding units of the side has been lacking, thus making the IPL title seem like an elusive one.

But can the RCB fans hope for some magic to happen in IPL 2018? Can RCB finally lay their hands on the coveted trophy of the glamorous league? Let's take a quick look at the four top reasons why RCB can emerge as the victors in IPL 2018.

---

#1 The firepower of Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum has been hailed as a stalwart in T20 Cricket

One of the biggest coups that the RCB team management has been able to accomplish in IPL 2018 is the inclusion of Brendon McCullum in the side. McCullum, who has been long hailed as a stalwart in T20 Cricket, is best remembered for scoring the first-ever IPL century (158*) in the very first game of the tournament, back in 2008 for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

His presence will not only provide the RCB side with greater confidence and an adrenaline boost in the most difficult of situations but also help them to compensate for the absence of the mighty Chris Gayle as an opener.

#2 Presence of quality wicket-keepers in the side

Quinton de Kock is a safe pair of hands behind the wickets

The absence of a quality, full-time wicket-keeper in the side has been the Achilles' Heel for RCB for a long time. Hence, drafting South African keeper, Quinton de Kock into the side is bound to give RCB a much-needed competitive edge.

De Kock has 116 dismissals to his credit in International Cricket and can bat a fair bit as well, making him an easy choice in the top-middle order of the Playing XI.

Further, to ensure a solution to an injury scare (RCB's wicket-keeper for 2017, KL Rahul had to opt out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury), RCB have kept Parthiv Patel and AB de Villiers in the mix as backup options for keeping.

#3 The explosive duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers's past partnerships have been ethereal

Be it on or off the field, the duo of Virat Kohli-AB de Villiers give us serious camaraderie goals at every instant. Who can forget their mammoth partnership worth 229 runs for the second wicket against Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016?

What makes Kohli-De Villiers so competent at scoring runs together is the lucid understanding that they share, be it while running the tight singles or rotating the strike. Both batsmen have been in the form of their lives, with De Villiers having scored four Test half-centuries against Australia in the past month and Kohli having scored three ODI centuries against the Proteas in February 2018.

#4 Good mix of domestic and overseas players

A good mix of domestic and overseas players for RCB in IPL 2018

What makes an IPL franchise successful is its ability to maintain a good balance between overseas and domestic players. IPL 2018 is probably the best performance of the RCB's team management in conducting judicious purchases at the auction.

Apart from high-profile overseas players like Tim Southee, Corey Anderson and Moeen Ali, a balance has been struck with the inclusion of young, domestic talent with the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Kulwant Khejroliya, Mohammad Siraj and Harpreet Singh Bhatia to the side.

This will help present a well-rounded and polished RCB side, worthy of winning the cup in 2018.