IPL 2019: RCB's strongest playing XI for the opening game against CSK

CSK vs RCB

IPL 2019 is just a week away, and the excitement is rising quickly. The first two weeks' fixtures have been announced by the BCCI, and the schedule for the remaining games is expected to be out in a few days' time.

The defending champions Chennai Super Kings will play the opening game at Chennai against Royal Challengers Bangalore on 23rd March 2019. Due to the upcoming World Cup in May, this edition of IPL begins a few weeks in advance. There is a huge challenge ahead of the BCCI to keep the players fit during the IPL and ahead for the World Cup.

The first game itself is big clash, between the former Indian captain and the present Indian captain. It is one rivalry that all the fans are looking forward to seeing.

The men in yellow have had the upper hand against the men in red as they have won the last six games against RCB in IPL. The last time Bangalore beat Chennai in IPL was in the 2014 edition.

Virat Kohli would love to change his team's fortunes in this season. And RCB have got the lineup to do so.

Let us look at the strongest playing XI that can take the field for Bangalore in the opening game.

#1 Top order

Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli

RCB might open with Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli. The former Indian wicketkeeper has a decent amount of experience as an opener in the IPL. He has opened before for top franchises like Chennai and Mumbai Indians.

The other opener could be Kohli, since the best batsman should bat the highest number of overs possible in the shorter format. All of Kohli's IPL centuries have come as an opener. Kohli can turn the tables for RCB if he can repeat what he did in the 2016 season.

Shimron Hetmyer, who is set make his IPL debut, can be sent in at number three to make use of the power play. He is powerful left-hander who is in fine form, and can help RCB to keep the scoreboard ticking in the top order.

#2 Middle order

AB De Villiers

RCB's favourite son AB De Villiers might play at No. 4 to give them solid strength in the middle. He has been a consistent performer for Bangalore and has scored over 3000 IPL runs for this franchise including two centuries.

The young left-hander from Mumbai Shivam Dube could play at number five. He has smashed five sixes in an over during the local T20 league, and can also bowl right medium fast.

Colin de Grandhomme can fill in the second all-rounder's spot. He was amazing with the bat during the ODI series against India and can give RCB a much-needed punch during the slog overs.

Washington Sundar, who has been consistently doing well with both bat and ball for Tamil Nadu, might be included in the opening game considering his experience in Chennai. The pitch is also likely to suit him. Though he does not have a great track record for Bangalore, if he can perform well in the opening game it would be good for him as well as for RCB.

#3 Bowlers

Yuzvendra Chahal

The Indian wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal would easily walk into the playing XI. He is the leading wicket taker for Bangalore in IPL and is 18 wickets away from becoming their first ever bowler to take 100 wickets. He is expected to play almost all the games for them this season.

Pawan Negi is expected to play in the opening match considering the Chennai wicket is expected to assist the spinners and slow bowlers. He did well for them in the last season, taking a few crucial wickets. He is also decent with the bat and can smack a few sixes into the stands.

Tim Southee could be RCB's fourth overseas player in the team. Souhtee's recent form for New Zealand has been good, plus he can also be a decent pinch hitter towards the end.

The final player of the XI would be Umesh Yadav, even though he had a bad experience during the last over against Australia in the recent T20I series. We can expect Kohli to back his experienced fast bowler for the entire tournament.