IPL 2018: Royal Challengers Bangalore squad analysis

Arguably the most flamboyant franchise of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have struggled in their previous attempts to win the coveted trophy. One of the main reasons has been the lack of depth, variety and experience, especially in their seam bowling department, which has often let them down and cost them their must-win matches.

The RCB, like always, are a batting-heavy side this season, but have invested faith in pace bowlers like Tim Southee, Nathan Coulter-Nile (8 matches, 15 wickets in IPL 2017), Chris Woakes (91 runs and 8 wickets in 8 T20Is), Umesh Yadav (94 wickets in 91 IPL matches) and Mohammed Siraj (10 wickets in 6 IPL matches).

From the domestic circuit, RCB has picked up the likes of Navdeep Saini (13 wickets in 14 T20s) and Kulwant Khejroliya (14 wickets in 10 T20s,), who have been pretty impressive in the domestic season. It is fair to say that the pace department looks quite decent ahead of the season, given the players perform to their potential.

Ahead of the auctions, the franchise retained the not-so-difficult choices in Indian skipper Virat Kohli and South African great AB de Villiers, but their decision of retaining Sarfaraz Khan left the cricketing world in splits.

With Yuzvendra Chahal spearheading the spin department, the bowling unit also seems to have the edge. The duo of Mandeep Singh and Manan Vohra from domestic cricket can also make a mark. Vohra (229 runs at a strike rate of over 144 in IPL 2017) for instance, has played some commendable knocks playing for the Kings XI Punjab.

With Brendon McCullum in the squad, the RCB will try to break the jinx this time around and finally win the title for their fans under Virat’s inspiring leadership.

The RCB play their first match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8th 2018 at the iconic Eden Gardens.

Squad: Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz Khan, Brendon McCullum, Chris Woakes, Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manan Vohra, Kulwant Kejroliya, Aniket Choudhary, Navdeep Saini, Murugan Ashwin, Mandeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi, Mohammed Siraj, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aniruddha Joshi

Batting

Brendon McCullum will play for the RCB this season

The Bangalore-based franchise has one of the finest batting units in the league. Brendon McCullum at the top of the order is as dangerous as it can get, even when he is past his prime.

Along with him, Manan Vohra, Parthiv Patel or Quinton de Kock can open the innings, depending on the balance of the side.

With Virat at No. 3 and De Villiers at No. 4, RCB has one of the best Top-4 in the business. For the late flourish, young Sarfaraz Khan (5 matches, 66 runs at a strike rate of over 200 in IPL 2016) will be entrusted to do the job. Mandeep Singh and Pavan Deshpande are the other batsmen who have been doing good in domestic cricket and would look to make a mark in the IPL.

The batting is clearly the franchise’s biggest strength and a lot will be expected from the star-studded batting line up. Either of Parthiv Patel (who played a vital role in Mumbai Indian's victory last season) or Quinton de Kock will keep wickets which will depend on what overseas combination the team is playing.

All-Rounders

Woakes has been in brilliant nick as a finisher in the batting order

The pack of all-rounders will be led by Chris Woakes who has been in brilliant nick as a finisher recently, apart from his brilliance with his seam bowling. Woakes will strengthen the lower middle-order and is an excellent addition to the outfield as well, saving vital runs for the side.

Apart from Woakes, somebody like a Moeen Ali can also come in handy, strengthening the spin attack along with Chahal and playing a vital role in some big hitting down the order. It could be a tough choice for skipper Kohli to decide who between the two English all-rounders shall get the nod in the playing XI and will depend on what conditions they are playing in.

Also donning the RCB jersey will be the Kiwi all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme (54 wickets, 2314 runs in T20 career), who has been a consistent performer for the national team and looked good in the KKR dugout last season.

The fact that not much has been said about Pawan Negi ahead of the season is because of his failures in the previous few editions. However, Negi’s all-round abilities could come in handy and the team has shown much faith in him by grabbing him for Rs. 1 crore.

Bowling

Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal lead the spin attack of RCB

The RCB bowling seems to have the depth on paper. Australia’s Nathan Coulter- Nile will lead the bowling attack of the team. Coulter Nile did a good job for the KKR last season and will be looking to do a similar job for RCB this season.

Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammad Siraj will assist Coulter Nile in the pace department. Siraj will have to live up to the expectations, especially after his outings for the national team haven’t been that impressive, and he has been taken to the cleaners (3 T20I matches, 3 wickets at an economy of over 12).

Chahal will lead the spinners along with the find of the Nidahas trophy - Washington Sundar (6 T20I matches- 9 wickets at 5.66 runs per over), who has been absolutely magnificent. Pawan Negi and Moeen Ali are the other spinning options in the side.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore look a formidable unit and are capable of giving the opponents a run for their money on any given day.