IPL 2018, Match 8: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) predicted XI to face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

The perennial under-performers of the IPL, KXIP has tried to plug the holes that have derailed their journey in the past, and have managed to assemble a potent squad with a strong Indian core, and the franchise got off to a rollicking start to the Vivo IPL 2018 as Ashwin's led side thumped the Delhi Daredevils by six wickets.

The Kings now move to Bangalore to face Virat Kohli's led side who are coming after a first match defeat against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Sunday Night.

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Having said that, let us look at the Probable XI that RCB will field against the Delhi Daredevils in their tournament opener:

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#1 Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal will resume his partnership with Gayle at KXIP

Partnering Rahul will be the wonder boy of the 2017/18 Indian domestic season, Mayank Aggarwal. With 1160 runs in Ranji Trophy, 723 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and over 250 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament at a strike rate of 144.94, it's fair to say that Agarwal is in the form of his life.

Though Mayank got out cheaply in the opening game against DD, he'll hope to reverse the indifferent start with a substantial performance, come April 13

#2 KL Rahul (Wicket-Keeper)

Rahul lit up the IPL with tournament's fastest IPL fifty

At No. 2 will be Indian and now former RCB batsman Lokesh Rahul. One of the few batsmen to hit a century in all three formats of the game, Rahul, when in form, is a delight to watch. One of the prime qualities of Rahul is his versatility.

Rahul lit up the tournament with the fastest IPL fifty (50 off 13 balls), and helped set up a comfortable 6 wicket win for KXIP.

#3 Karun Nair

Nair made an important 50 in the first match

Coming in at No. 3 is the second triple centurion in the history of Indian Test cricket, Karun Nair.

Nair has been in scintillating form this winter especially in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy where he accumulated 379 runs (third on the list of top run-getters in the tournament) in nine matches at a strike rate of 173.8,and he continued with the same with a pristine and calm fifty to guide his team over the line against DD.

#4 Aaron Finch

Finch is one of the best batsmen in white ball cricket currently

Aaron Finch will miss the opening encounter due to his wedding, but there is no doubt that the Australian will be a vital cog in Punjab's scheme of things. Blessed with brutal strength couple by an immaculate understanding of the situation of the game, Finch has established himself as one of the leading white-ball batsmen in the world.

Finch's presence will certainly add firepower to the KXIP line-up and though he had a poor IPL season last year with the Gujarat Lions, Finch's recent form in white-ball cricket has been imperious and he'd be hoping for a substantial IPL season this time around.

#5 Yuvraj Singh

An indifferent first match for Yuvi

At No. 5 will be the Prince of Punjab, Yuvraj Singh. A stalwart of the limited-overs format, Yuvraj returns to his home franchise with a sense of indifferent form.

Yuvraj looked out of touch in the first game, as he scratched his way to a 22-ball 12, and would be hoping to put on a scintillating show against the RCB.

#6 Marcus Stoinis

The potential X-Factor

If you ask yourself who can be the potential X-Factor for KXIP in the 2018 season? One name that instantly comes to mind is Australia's all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.

Stoinis shot into fame when he pulverized the Kiwi attack into submission with a breathtaking 146 at Auckland. His blitz earned him an IPL contract with the Kings XI Punjab.

Stoinis scored a breezy 22 off 15 balls, and while he bowled just an over, he'd bee hoping to put on an all-round show against RCB.

#7 Ravi Ashwin (Captain)

Ashwin started his captaincy debut with a win

One of the few things that I am looking forward to in this IPL is how Ravichandran Ashwin fares in his captaincy debut and the vile off-spinner fared well in his debut, along with a picket in his four overs, Ashwin's field placements and tactics on the field were immaculate.

#8 Axar Patel

The only player to be retained by KXIP

The only player to be retained by the KXIP this year, Axar Patel will accompany Ashwin in the spin bowling department.

An orthodox left-arm spinner who thrives on choking the batsmen with his variations, Axar has taken 58 wickets in 59 matches at an average of 26.67 and will play a key part of KXIP's plans this year. Patel was particularly expensive in the first match and would be looking for an improved performance against the RCB.

#9 Mujib Ur Rahman

The 17-year-old impressed one and all

The 17-year-old Mujib ur Rahman became the youngest cricketer to debut in the IPL in KXIP's tournament opener.

The mystery spinner with a plethora of variations at his disposal, made an immediate impact in the game, as he dismissed both Colin Munro and a dangerous looking Rishabh Pant, and he'd be expected to continue his good work against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 13.

#10 Mohit Sharma

Sharma picked up 2-wickets against DD

While Punjab has done remarkably well at the auctions to assemble an all-around squad, there are few chinks in their armor which are difficult to overlook. The most prominent of them is the lack of depth in fast bowling.

This is where the role of Mohit Sharma becomes pivotal. With years of experience now under his belt and a bag of tricks to deceive the batsman, it remains to be seen if he can step us and be the leader of the attack.

#11 Andrew Tye

Tye has made a sensational turnaround in his career

A match-winning performance (5-46 vs England) and a paycheck of $1.4 million (AU) in the IPL auctions, it was a pretty surreal day for Australian fast-bowler Andrew Tye.

A late bloomer, 31-year-old Tye is predominantly a limited-overs bowler who thrives on choking the batsmen with his nagging line and a plethora of subtle variations that tend to bamboozle even the best in the game.

Tye did not have a good start to the tournament (0-38 in 4 overs) and the tall fast-bowler needs to step-up for his team, especially with him being the spearhead of the attack.