IPL 2018: Predicting the starting eleven of Bangalore

The IPL auction came to an end last week, and it was worth all the hype. The IPL auction led to many departures from the core teams and provided surprising new inclusions in certain squads.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, the perennial employed a similar strategy which they adopted last year; buy bowlers who can produce good performances at Chinnaswamy was their mantra.

RCB's overall team looks quite solid on paper, with a plethora of quality all-rounders who can step in to save the day. We look at the strongest eleven the Bengaluru based side could field during the tournament.

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Opener #1: Brendon McCullum

Will McCullum be able to replace the huge void left by Gayle?

One of the most surprising acquisitions made by RCB, Baz joins his fifth IPL side this summer. RCB's opening combination was put in a jeopardy last year due to their marquee player Chris Gayle under-performing massively.

However, Brendon McCullum could compensate the loss of Gayle, and he is coming to RCB on the back of a great showing with Gujarat Lions the previous IPL. McCullum scored 158* in the very first match of IPL against RCB, and now it has come a whole circle for him.

Opener #2: Manan Vohra

The talented youngster will have a bright chance to showcase his talents

A class player, Manan Vohra is a highly talented batsman. He has got a certain aura around him and has a lot of similarities to his new captain Kohli. He was a surprising retention by his previous side KXIP in 2014, and now RCB have looked towards him to help their batting woes.

Vohra will have stiff competition from the likes of Parthiv Patel, Quinton de Kock, and Kohli himself for the opening slot. He will have to go all guns blazing from the start. Manan Vohra will have an able ally in the form of McCullum.

Vohra and McCullum will be the perfect opening salvo, with Vohra more of a technical player while Baz can do the hitting work.

No. 3: Virat Kohli

The Captain and the Conquerer, Virat Kohli

One of the, if not the finest cricketers of our generation, Virat Kohli will once again don the red and black in the 2018 season. Virat has spent all his career in IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore and has captained the side for the last few seasons.

Virat Kohli has won all the accolades possible with the Indian Cricket Team, but the IPL title still eludes the RCB captain. He has opened the innings with Gayle for RCB on numerous occasions and has achieved tremendous success but it comes nowhere close to his prowess from the No. 3 spot.

Virat Kohli and Brendon McCullum batting together will be a joy to watch and a dream come true for cricketing fans.

No. 4: AB de Villiers

Mr. 360 will play a key role for RCB yet again

RCB's middle-order mainstay for over seven years now, AB de Villiers is one of the greatest cricketers to grace the game of cricket. He has played all over the world and achieved tremendous success, but similar to his team-mate Virat Kohli has failed to lift the IPL trophy.

One of the most loved non-Indian cricketer in IPL, AB de Villers tremendous batting skills and ability to knock the ball out of the park at will is absolutely golden to RCB's challenge. His form has been on-off for quite some time now, but his consistency with RCB can never be denied.

No. 5: Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan is a young and talented middle-order batsman

RCB showed tremendous faith in the former U-19 player, Sarfaraz Khan, by retaining the young lad for the 2018 edition. Along with De Villiers and Kohli, Sarfaraz was retained before the auction by the RCB side.

Sarfaraz made a name for himself way back in 2013, when he smashed records in Mumbai Cricket. He became the youngest player to feature for RCB in 2015 and has since then proven his worth with quality pinch-hitting down the order.

RCB's batting apart from the three big names previously mentioned lacks proper experience, so Sarfaraz and Co. will have to step up to the challenge.

No. 6: Mandeep Singh

Mandy will have to prove his worth in IPL 11

Another stalwart from the Punjab Ranji team in the RCB side, Mandeep Singh could be entrusted with the middle-order responsibilities once again. He has played in quite a few positions for the RCB side before, and with the top-order looking set, a run in the middle order will be most likely.

Mandeep Singh is a decent buy from the RCB management, as he has good potential and a knack for scoring crucial runs. He has been inconsistent for the RCB side and could be replaced by other options such as Parthiv Patel if he doesn't perform.

Athletic on the field and a nice looking batting style is what Mandeep brings to the RCB side.

No. 7: Pawan Negi

Negi will have to give good performances once again

Probably the best performer for RCB in a disastrous season last year, Pawan Negi was retained by the RCB side using their right to match (RTM) card. Pawan Negi was sold for a mind-boggling amount less than two years ago, but his stock has fallen massively since then.

Pawan Negi is a decent player who can chip in with some solid hitting lower down the order and can give RCB another bowling option. Pawan Negi has seen his price go down exponentially over the last few seasons, he can prove a point by performing brilliantly this year.

No. 8: Chris Woakes

The England International will love to break some stumps

The first of the several fast bowlers RCB loaded up with, Chris Woakes was the most expensive buy made by RCB this season. The 7.4 crore acquisition was one of the destroyers of RCB's batting last year when they were bowled out for 49 runs.

Chris Woakes is one of the several all-rounders RCB have managed to purchase this season, in hopes of maintaining a fine balance between their batting and bowling. Chris Woakes is primarily a bowler but has the ability to chip in with runs when needed.

No. 9: Nathan Coulter-Nile

If you can't beat them, buy them!

Remember the 49 disaster we talked about? Nathan Coulter-Nile was the wrecker-in-chief, taking the wickets of Virat Kohli and ABD during the massive humiliation. Coulter-Nile was a smart purchase from the RCB side, as it gives them a proper fast bowling option going into the season.

Ever since Mitchell Starc left the team, the void left by him has been glaring. Tymal Mills was a blockbuster flop last season, costing RCB a lot of money while giving absolutely nothing to boast about.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Woakes will provide great stability to the completely revamped bowling lineup of RCB.

No. 10: Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal will have his captain's backing to head the bowling attack

RCB's second costliest buy of the auction, and India's lead spinner in limited-overs cricket today, Yuzvendra Chahal has made a name for himself in IPL. His great economic performances have wowed the audiences at the Chinnaswamy and have led to an inclusion in the Indian side.

Chahal was widely picked to be the player RCB uses their RTM on, and they did exactly that after witnessing a bidding war for their star bowler. Chahal along with Pawan Negi can be a great option for captain Kohli in the middle-overs to slow things down a bit.

Chahal is always the prime contender for the Purple Cap, expect nothing to change this year as well.

No. 11: Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav will look to make himself the premier bowler of IPL

RCB's prime Indian bowler of the season, Umesh Yadav brings tons of experience in international as well IPL cricket to the RCB side. RCB have had many Indian fast bowlers in their ranks, and all have failed to deliver more often than not.

Yet another KKR bowler who led their dismantling last year, Umesh Yadav will provide a fantastic option for RCB in the opening salvo. Umesh Yadav is heavily inconsistent at times, but his ability to wreck batting teams can never be in question.