IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore's strongest possible playing XI

Middle order

#3 Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali has to be one of the most under-rated cricketers in recent times. The southpaw from England is an explosive batsman at the top and has a T20 century to his name for Worcestershire in 2018.

RCB has often over-relied on Gayle, Kohli and De Villiers. Off late it has been only the latter two who have carried the burden. In one of the matches against SRH in 2018, Moeen Ali hammered 34-ball 65 with 6 sixes and 2 fours. It was the only occasion when RCB won a match without much contribution from Kohli and Ab De Villiers.

Ali has also improved his bowling manifolds and is a frontline spinner for England. His disciplined off-spin can be handy to accompany Chahal’s leg spin.

#4 AB De Villiers

AB De Villiers is a T20 legend. He might have retired from international cricket but is still in an exemplary form. He has set the stage alive in the on-going Manzi league in South Africa. De Villiers has been the backbone of RCB batting and he should continue to do that.

If the opening partnership and run-rate have been good, he could probably come one-down. If the situation is tense and the chase is tricky, then RCB should reserve De Villiers to come in at No.4, because in previous editions when Kohli used to open and De Villiers coming in at No.3, all that the opponent team wanted were two back to back wickets to seal the game. The plan is to spread the batting firepower.

Moreover, De Villiers's presence in the crease is invaluable in the final overs. He is one of the only few players in world cricket who can hit sixes of yorkers and slower balls. So Moeen Ali is suited at No.3 and De Villiers can walk in at No.4 and finish the innings in a flurry.