IPL 2019: Predicting RCB’s best playing XI

Royal Challengers Bangalore are just one of three teams to never win an IPL trophy which is quite disappointing considering they have two of the best players in cricket (Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers). Every year, there has always been a void in RCB’s team that has hindered their IPL dreams.

This year, they went into the auctions with the hope to fill that void. Addition of players like Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen, and Shivam Dubey have made RCB’s squad look stronger than ever. But having a strong squad isn’t good enough, it is necessary to pick the perfect combination and find the right balance between your batsmen, all-rounders and bowlers. Teams (like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians) that get this combination right are often quite successful.

Hence, let’s take a look at RCB’s current list of players and try to predict the best possible playing XI for the upcoming season.

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Openers - Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel

The best likely pair to open for the Royal Challengers Bangalore is Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli. Parthiv has a lot of experience in the IPL as an opener and he could play a crucial role in getting RCB off to good starts in the power play. We all know that Parthiv is not the type of player that is expected to go on and get a big score, but if he somehow manages to put on a 40 to 50 run partnership with Kohli, then this could help his team in a big way. Moreover, he is also a wicket-keeper which is a huge advantage for him.

As far as Virat is concerned, he has opened for RCB in the absence of an opener before and he has done fairly well for himself. Kohli is an exceptional batsman and he has proved over the years that he can bat at any position for his team. Expect Kohli and Parthiv Patel to come out all guns blazing as they try to get RCB to their first IPL win.

Number 3 and 4 - AB de Villers and Shimron Hetmyer

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is a man who needs no introduction. He has been one of RCB’s most consistent performers over the years. His ability to play shots all over the ground has earned him the nickname ‘Mr. 360’ by the cricket fraternity. Last season, we saw him bat at number 3 since Virat was forced to open the innings due to a lack of openers. This put a lot of pressure on AB de Villiers since they weren’t any notable batsman to rescue the innings should he get out early. But that has all changed this season.

While Kohli is expected to open the innings again this year, AB de Villiers can rest easy knowing that Shimron Hetmyer is most likely to walk in to bat at number 4. Hetmyer came under IPL teams’ radar after his antics during West India’s tour of India where the left-handed batsman scored a century and followed it up with a score of 94 in the next ODI.

Having a player of the calibre of Hetmyer will give AB de Villiers more freedom which means that fans are in for some entertainment.

All-rounders - Washington Sundar and Shivam Dubey

Shivam Dubey

This is where things get a little bit difficult for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. This season RCB have a lot of all-rounders to choose from. While RCB have all-rounders like Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali and Marcus Stoinis, it would make more sense for them to prefer Indian all-rounders. This reduces the choices to Akshdeep Nath, Gurkeerat Singh, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dubey and Pawan Negi.

RCB need to select an all-rounder who can smash a cameo towards the backend of the innings and also bowl a couple of over when needed by Kohli. This means that Washington Sundar and Shivam Dubey are the most likely pair to do the job. Sundar is consistent when it comes to picking up wickets and is more than capable of putting away the bad balls. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube came into the limelight recently after smashing five sixes off five balls in a Ranji Trophy match. He has achieved this feat twice in domestic cricket. Hence, RCB will most likely give him the chance to showcase his six hitting skills.

Spinner - Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal

This is really a no-brainer. Yuzvendra Chahal has been RCB’s most consistent bowler since his arrival at the franchise a couple of years ago. Kohli and co. will rely heavily on his wicket-taking abilities and he will have a huge role to play in RCB’s success this season.

Pace bowlers - Nathan Coulter-Nile, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj/Kulwant Khejroliya

Umesh Yadav

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Royal Challengers Bangalore have had one of the worst bowling attacks in IPL history, but who can really blame them since they play half their matches at the Chinnaswamy stadium which is often known as a batsman’s paradise.

Therefore, a smart decision would be to go for Australia quick Nathan Coulter-Nile and experienced Kiwi bowler Tim Southee. Both of them not only bring a lot of experience, but they will also help enhance RCB’s death bowling which has been a huge disappointment for them in recent years. The two can form a formidable duo and help RCB on their way to their first IPL title.

As far as Indian bowling options are concerned, Umesh Yadav was RCB’s leading wicket-taker last year and it would make perfect sense to include him in the playing XI. However, RCB will try to get through his (Umesh Yadav) overs quickly instead of using him in the death overs. Another Indian quick that could make the list is Mohammed Siraj.

To be honest, it will a close choice between Siraj and Kulwant Khejroliya. Khejroliya has been in good form in the domestic circuit and they (RCB) will expect him to continue that form in the IPL. Either bowler (Siraj or Khejroliya) would make a valuable addition to the playing XI and they may often swap places with each other in the squad.