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

Bowlers:

#7 Nathan Coulter-Nile

Coulter-Nile can be the leader of RCB's bowling attack

Along With Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile joined the team only a few days ago. However, he did not play in the last game. Coulter-Nile was supposed to be the leader of RCB's bowling attack in the previous season. However, an unfortunate injury ruled him out for the entirety of the last season.

A fit-again and in-form Coulter-Nile is an excellent asset to any team. He can hit long-balls in the end-overs, bowl in the Powerplay, bowl in the death overs and grab some excellent catches. Coulter-Nile’s presence can take some pressure off the shoulders of Chahal.

#8 Pawan Negi

Not too long ago, Pawan Negi fetched a whooping IPL contract of ₹8.5 crores in the auction. He even played a solitary T20I for India in 2016 against the UAE. Within a short period, he had seen both the highs and lows of cricket.

So far, Negi has not featured for RCB this season. With no desired results in the initial games, RCB can alter their strategy and include Negi in the playing XI for the upcoming games. Negi’s left-arm orthodox bowling can add a new flavour to RCB’s one-dimensional bowling attack. Besides, he can contribute to the team’s total with his batting skills.

#9 Tim Southee

Tim Southee, the New Zealand paceman had a poor IPL season last year. In eight matches, he claimed only five wickets with a poor strike rate of 34.80. Though Southee’s white ball skills have been under the scanner for the past few months, it is not wise to ignore him as he can regularly strike in the Powerplay. Besides, on his day, he can trouble any batsman with his brilliant variations in the death overs. Also, he can add few lusty blows with the bat during the slog overs.

#10 Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal is the leading wicket-taker for RCB in the franchise's history

Ever since his debut for RCB in 2014, Chahal has been single-handedly carrying the team's bowling attack on his shoulders. It is not surprising that Chahal is the highest wicket-taker in the franchise’s history as he has taken 90 wickets from 73 matches with an economy rate of 7.68.

Just like every other season, Chahal continues to stand out from the rest of the RCB bowlers this term as he has already taken eight wickets from four matches with an economy rate of 6.56. Besides, he is the current ‘Purple Cap’ holder of this season.

#11 Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj is the only RCB bowler who is offering decent support to Chahal this season. In four games, he has taken four wickets with an economy rate of 7.57. Though the numbers look ordinary, the fact that he is the best among the rest of the bowlers (apart from Chahal) tells us the sorry story of RCB's bowling line-up this season. With Coulter-Nile and Southee in the line-up, Siraj can share the workload and bowl well in the upcoming games.

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