IPL 2015: Predicted Royal Challengers Bangalore XI

Despite possessing some of the biggest names in world cricket, Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to win a single Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Quite often in the past, the Bangalore-based franchise have been accused of being too dependent on particular individuals and not finding the right combination.With stars like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Mitchell Starc guaranteed a place in the team, we take a look at what the rest of the XI should look like:

#1 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle began his IPL career with below par performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders. But it all changed, when he was bought by RCB to replace injured fast bowler Dirk Nannes in 2011.

Probably wanting to prove a point after being snubbed in the IPL auctions earlier that year, Gayle took on all comers and ended the season as the highest run-scorer, inspiring his team to the IPL final. He followed that form in 2012 and won the Orange Cap again.

In 2013, he recorded the fastest ever century in professional cricket, en route to a fabulous 175* in just 66 balls against Pune Warriors India.

Back-up: Rilee Rossouw, Nic Maddinson

#2 Mandeep Singh

Mandeep Singh is one of the newcomers in the RCB squad, having played for the Kings XI Punjab in previous seasons. Although he didn't get to play much for the Preity Zinta-owned side last season due to the opening partnership of Virender Sehwag and Manan Vohra, he was an integral member of the team in 2012 and 2013 when he played all games.

The 23-year-old has scored 767 runs from 44 IPL matches so far, with his strike rate touching almost 120. He would want to cement his place in the RCB XI and prove a point to the Kings XI Punjab management who felt he was surplus to requirements.

Back-up: Manvinder Bisla, Yogesh Takawale

#3 Virat Kohli

Now, the captain of not only RCB, but the Indian Test team as well, Virat Kohli has come a long way after joining the franchise in 2008. The right-hander had a poor season last year and will be eager to prove a point to his critics this season.

When it comes to limited overs cricket, he's probably the best number three batsman in the world at the moment and his form will be crucial to RCB's chances in the tournament.

Back-up: Vijay Zol, Shishir Bhavane

#4 AB de Villiers

Widely accepted as the best batsman in modern-day cricket, AB de Villiers has been one of the star performers for RCB since he was bought by the Vijay Mallya-owned franchise in 2011. He has been used as a finisher by RCB recently, but that is something that has kept him and the team back.

When you have a player of the calibre of de Villiers, you simply must make him bat as many overs as possible. Hence, the South African captain should bat in the top four at any cost if the Bangalore-based franchise have to do well in this year’s tournament.

Back-up: Rilee Rossouw

#5 Dinesh Karthik

Bought by the Royal Challengers for Rs. 10.5 crores in this year's IPL auctions, there will be a lot of pressure on Dinesh Karthik to deliver the goods. Having not represented India for over a year now, the wicketkeeper-batsman will looking at the IPL as an opportunity to make a statement to the Indian selectors.

Earlier this week, Karthik had expressed his desire to win the title for the Bangalore team.

"I want to repay the faith and play a role in leading the team to the title. That's the main area of focus," he said.

Back-up: Manvinder Bisla, Yogesh Takawale

#6 Subramaniam Badrinath

Subramaniam Badrinath's career has been a tale of so-close-yet-so-far. One of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket over the past decade or so, he was unlucky to represent India just twice in Test cricket as Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman dominated the middle-order for many years.

Now in the twilight of his career, Badrinath will most probably be used as a floater in this line-up. If RCB lose wickets early on, you shouldn't be surprised if the 34-year-old batsman is pushed up the order to protect big hitters like AB de Villiers.

Back-up: Jalaj Saxena, Sarfaraz Khan

#7 Darren Sammy

It's fair to say that the biggest missing puzzle in RCB's armour has been the lack of a really good all-rounder since they released Jacques Kallis before IPL 2011. They tried out Albie Morkel last season but released him after the South African failed to live up to his big-hitting reputation.

This season, they are relying on West Indian Darren Sammy to fulfil that role. RCB fans will be pinning their hopes on Sammy to be the finisher for the team. His medium pace bowling will also be crucial as he will be expected to roll his arm over for 3-4 overs in every match.

Back-up: Sean Abbott, David Wiese

#8 Mitchell Starc

Despite having the likes of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the squad, the man who is likely to make the most difference could be a certain Mitchell Starc. The Australian is currently considered to be the best limited overs bowler in the world and won the Man of the Tournament award at the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup after putting in some stupendous performances with the ball.

The Royal Challengers' bowling line-up has let the team down on numerous occasions in the past and they will be banking on Starc to deliver. The 25-year-old is brilliant at finding the block hole at the end of the innings and that is something that could go a long way in a successful campaign for the team from Bangalore.

He will miss the first 2-3 weeks of the compeition this season due to a knee niggle.

Back-up: Adam Milne, Sean Abbott

#9 Varun Aaron

Varun Aaron, India's fastest bowler at the moment, will hope to cement his place in the Indian team after having been dropped from the Indian team for the 2015 World Cup. A good performance in the IPL will go a long way in helping him secure that elusive comeback to the national limited overs squad.

In last year's IPL, he picked up 16 wickets in 10 matches, but conceded 8.18 runs per over which is on the higher side. He will be looking to tighten his line and length this season and attempt to reduce his economy rate while maintaining the same pace.

Back-up: Abu Nechim, Harshal Patel, Sandeep Warrier

#10 Yuzvendra Chahal

Despite going into IPL 2014 as a relatively unknown face, Yuzvendra Chahal turned out to be one of the best performers for the Royal Challengers. Playing a lot of his matches on the batting-friendly pitches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has short boundaries, Chahal bowled with great accuracy in the middle overs.

The Haryana leg-spinner is also a good fielder and will be hoping to kick on from where he left off last season. A good performance here could see him in contention for a place in India's LOI squads in the near future.

Back-up: Iqbal Abdulla

#11 Ashok Dinda

Ashok Dinda made a name for himself in the first season of the Indian Premier League when Australian great Ricky Ponting had revealed that he faced problems while facing the then 24-year-old in the nets at the Kolkata Knight Riders. Dinda was impressive on the field that season as well, playing 13 matches and conceding runs at an economy rate of 6.78 which is very good by T20 standards.

Dinda's IPL form since, though, hasn't been up to the mark. He hasn't been able to control his line and length which has seen batsmen taking him on time and again. But coming off a decent domestic season, the Bengal pacer will be hoping to silence his critics with a good showing in the T20 tournament.

Back-up: Abu Nechim, Harshal Patel, Sandeep Warrier