IPL 2021: Strongest playing XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore has been the most trolled team in the history of IPL. Everyone got a sad feel for this franchise as it has the services of Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers who didn't win a single trophy even its IPL or the World Cup.
Moreover, they failed to clinch the title whenever they got the chance to play in the finals. During the 13th edition of the cash-rich contest, they failed to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminators and finished at the 4th position in the table.
But this time they would look to change things as they once again came up with a strong batting line-up. Besides, they are going to play the opening game of the IPL 2021 against Mumbai Indians at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
So, let's see the strongest playing xi for Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2021.
Openers:
Devdutt Padikkal
The Kerala born cricketer was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the player auction at his base price of INR 20 lakhs ahead of IPL 2019.
During the previous season, the left-hander opened the innings for his side and scored 473 runs from 15 games that he played at an average of around 32. Considering his recent form, Padikkal is expected to open the innings along with Mohammed Azharuddeen on the other end.
Virat Kohli
Regarded at the "King of Cricket" Virat Kohli will open the innings for his team in the upcoming edition of the league. He is a nightmare for the opposition bowlers as he mostly plays drives and flicks which restricts him to lose the wicket of him.
Kohli is the highest run-getter of the cash-rich contest who has plundered 5878 runs at an average of around 40 including five centuries to his name. The 32-year-old will be looking to clinch the trophy for his team.
Middle-order:
AB de Villiers
The team is incomplete without the South African batsman AB de Villiers. He has been the main pillar of the franchise along with his skipper and friend Virat Kohli.
Villiers is one of the most loved cricketers for his attitude and orthodox batting skills which earned him the name "Mr.360". He never fails to impress with the bat as he scored 454 runs in the 13th season at an average of 45.40 including four fifties to his name.
Mohammed Azharuddeen
Yet another Kerala cricketer in the line-up named Mohammed Azharuddeen. The 27-year-old hit the headlines when he smashed 137 runs in a game against Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
After seeing his performances in the domestic circuit, the management of Royal challengers Bangalore scalped him at his base price of INR 20 lakhs in the IPL Auction 2021. He is expected to open the innings only if Virat Kohli bats in the middle-order for the side.
All-rounders:
Glenn Maxwell
The new member of the team, Glenn Maxwell was bought by the franchise in the IPL Auction for a whopping price of INR 14.25 crores. He previously represented Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and failed to live up to the expectations of both the team and the fans.
The veteran scored 108 runs from his 13 outings and didn't score a single fifty in the entire league. However, this season might help the Big Show to get back to the form ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Dan Christian
The left-arm pacer Daniel Sams was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the player's auction for a price of INR 4.80 crores ahead of the IPL 2021. The Aussie went on to represent Delhi Capitals in IPL 2018 and failed to live up to the marks of the side.
As a result, he warmed the bench for the rest of the league. The 37-year-old is now joined with the RCB franchise and would look to contribute with both the bat and the ball for his team.
Washington Sundar
The Tamil Nadu based cricketer Washington Sundar has the ability to contain runs in the powerplay and middle overs of the game. During the 13th edition, Washington Sundar didn't pick many wickets but bowled really well for his team. He maintained his economy rate well below 6 and plucked 8 wickets to his name.
Kyle Jamieson
Another new member in the line-up named Kyle Jamieson is going to don the RCB jersey for the first time. Jamieson was roped by RCB for a staggering amount of INR 15 crores in the IPL Auction 2021.
He has the ability to continuously clock above 140s with the ball and is expected to lead the pace attack for the side. Jamieson has played over 40 T20s and picked up 55 wickets to his name.
Bowlers:
Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj will assist the Kiwi pacer, Kyle Jamieson if they get to play together in the IPL 2021. He doesn't have enough pace like his fellow bowlers Navdeep Saini and Kyle Jamieson but can make the batsman struggle to score runs with his proper line and length.
Siraj had picked 10 wickets in the last season and registered his best figures of 3/8 as well. Considering his recent form, it will be interesting to watch Mohammed Siraj in the cash-rich contest.
Yuzvendra Chahal
The right-hand leggie is the go-to-man for Virat Kohli during the crunch situations of the game. He never fails to impress his skipper and gives the breakthrough whenever his team needs from him.
Moreover, Yuzvendra Chahal had been the leading wicket-taker for RCB who bagged 21 scalps in the 13th edition of the cash-rich contest.
Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini will be the third pacer for Virat Kohli along with Kyle Jamieson and Mohammed Siraj. He can bowl at a brisk pace like Jamieson but always struggles with his poor line and length.
Saini had got only 6 wickets in the previous season and leaked a lot of runs on some occasion which resulted to lose the game. Let's see how the speedster going to perform in the upcoming tournament.