IPL 2019: Strongest playing XI that could help RCB qualify for the playoffs

Middle-order:

#3 Virat Kohli (C)

The duo is the backbone of RCB's batting line-up

Virat Kohli is having a tough time in IPL 2019. His batting looks very ordinary and his captaincy skills are also being questioned. In four games, he has managed to score only 78 runs with a poor strike rate of 98.73. Besides, confusion in the batting order is causing trouble for both him and the team. In four games, he has opened the batting twice and batted at no.3 twice. Hence, a fixed batting slot (preferably no.3) can bring wonders for Kohli and his team. It is a matter of time for the Indian skipper to regain his magical touch with the bat.

#4 AB de Villiers

Just like every other season, plenty is expected from AB de Villiers. However, he has failed to meet the expectations thus far. In four games, the South African has managed to score only 93 runs, with 70 of those coming in a single match against the Mumbai Indians. Though he batted well against MI, he failed to guide the team to the finishing line. However, the day is not too far away for a player like ABD to return to his true form.

#5 Washington Sundar

Since Moeen Ali featured in the first four games, Washington Sundar had to warm the bench in those matches. With Ali failing to deliver, it is time for RCB to bring back Washington to the playing XI. Since Washington has the skills to bowl in the Powerplay, he can take wickets and control the run rate at the start of the innings.

Besides, he can contribute with the bat too as he regularly does for Tamil Nadu. However, for some unknown reasons, the RCB team management often overlooks Washington's batting skills. In fact, he can even open the batting and emulate the role of Sunil Narine (KKR).

#6 Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube had a rough start to his IPL career. In all of his three games, he was presented with the opportunity to be a hero for his team. However, he failed every time and managed to score only 16 runs with a poor strike rate of 94.11. Since this is Dube’s debut IPL season, he can be given few more chances to display his full skills to the cricketing world.

It is too much for Dube to play the role of a finisher in his debut season. If the team management needs experience in the middle-order, then Dube and Stoinis can exchange their positions in the batting line-up. In this case, Dube will have more deliveries to face with only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the first six overs.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.