“E Sala Cup Namde” – we hear this slogan from the RCB fans every year. But have they been able to put out those results? It doesn’t seem like so as they have qualified for the playoffs only twice in last seven years, that also includes them finishing as runners up in 2016 season. Their best seasons were in 2009 and 2016 where they were avenged by the opposition in the finals.
When we look at the RCB side, it’s a side which has always looked good on paper. But when we talk about the performances, they haven’t really been able to showcase it out in the middle. The RCB side is led by the Indian captain Virat Kohli, who took over from Daniel Vettori in 2012 but hasn’t been able to bring that success to the franchise.
Just like every year, even this year RCB have acquired some new players in the squad. These players just like many others have proven their true potential in the T20 arena in leagues across the world.
This year RCB have made some interesting picks in the form of Aaron Finch, Josh Phillipe, Isuru Udana, Kane Richardson etc. There are various combinations that can be formed with the RCB squad this year. So let’s take a look at their probable playing XI.
Let’s have a look at the predicted playing XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2020:
1. Aaron Finch
The Australia limited-overs captain is one of the new picks in the RCB camp this year. He was acquired for a hefty 4.40 crores INR in the IPL 2020. He is one of the best openers in World cricket at the moment and has built the fierce reputation of taking teams to explosive starts.
It is expected that Finch will be a first-choice pick in the playing XI and will have the responsibility of giving RCB an explosive start with Parthiv Patel.
2. Parthiv Patel
It is expected that the wicket-keeper will be a sure starter in the playing XI since he’s also the vice-captain of the side. He will have the onus of giving RCB quick starts in the powerplay as he will lay a strong foundation for batsmen like Kohli and Ab De Villiers.
It’s been 2 seasons since Parthiv Patel has been associated with the RCB and has played the role of the sole wicket-keeper in the side. Though this year RCB have picked Josh Phillipe, it is highly unlikely that he will make it to the playing XI.
So, we expect Parthiv to be a sure starter in majority matches this year for RCB.
3. Virat Kohli
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is arguably the best number 3 batsmen in the world right now. As a result, Kohli playing at 3 is a no brainer for the RCB. On several occasions, we’ve seen the RCB skipper open the innings with Parthiv Patel.
But with the inclusion of Aaron Finch in the RCB squad, it is unlikely that Kohli will continue to open for RCB. So we assume that Kohli will bat at 3 for RCB in majority matches this year. Though we may expect him to move up the order in case of a shortened match.
If needed he can open with Finch and help RCB chase huge targets in a rain-affected game.
4. Ab De Villiers
The South African legend doesn’t need any description to describe what qualities he brings to the RCB side. He has been an integral part of the Bangalore since a very long time and has single-handedly won games for RCB from impossible situations.
A multidimensional player, who can play the role of an anchor as well as a finisher in the side. In the 2019 season, de Villiers averaged 44 with the bat striking around 150s.
With the short boundaries of the grounds in the UAE, AB de Villiers will be eager to put up ‘The De Villiers Show’ out in the middle this year.
5. Gurkeerat Mann
The middle-order batsman Gurkeerat Mann is not a newbie even though he hasn’t played that many matches in the IPL. He’s tasted international cricket and has played for India in the 2016 Australia ODI series.
He played just 3 matches last year for RCB but in the final match, he played a brilliant knock of 65 runs. The knock was enough for RCB to retain Gurkeerat for the 2020 IPL season.
Gurkeerat can also chip in with his off-breaks if needed as he’s a decent part-time bowler. We expected RCB to stick him at number 5 since he can contain the innings like Kohli out in the middle and also can attack in the latter half of the match.
6. Chris Morris
Chris Morris was the third most expensive player in the 2020 IPL auction. He was bought for a whopping amount of 10 crores INR. He is best known for his six-hitting ability as franchises in the past have used him as a finisher and pinch-hitter.
Other than batting, Morris is a decent death bowler, who has proved his potential bowling at the back end plenty of times. Morris is deemed to be a valuable asset for the RCB side as he’s expected to bowl majority overs in the death with Steyn.
7. Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube is touted as Hardik Pandya’s backup in the Indian squad. He is known to have created havoc in a domestic match in Mumbai by smashing 6 sixes in one year. Ever since Dube has been considered a promising prospect for team India.
Known for his six-hitting ability, it is assumed that Dube will play the role of a finisher along with Chris Morris. He didn’t really have a memorable 2019 season as he played just 4 games for the Bangalore franchise.
But with Shivam proving his bowling credentials in the Bangladesh T20 game. It is expected that the RCB captain will back him for more games this year.
8. Washington Sundar
The T20 specialist from Tamil Nadu didn’t really have the best season in 2019 as he played just 3 games picking 4 wickets. We could say that he’s rather underutilized by RCB. Since he is a bowler who can bowl tight spells in the powerplay and has the ability to pick wickets in the early stages.
More often than not we’ve seen him open the bowling for India in the T20s. Sundar wasn’t picked on most occasions since their home ground isn’t a spin conducive pitch. But with the IPL being played in UAE where pitches are dry it is expected that RCB will play Sundar in more games.
Other than his bowling, Sundar is also a formidable batsman. He opens the batting for his TPL side and strikes at a healthy strike rate.
9. Umesh Yadav
The Indian pacer’s choice in the RCB lineup will be a tossup between Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini. Even though Saini is playing T20is for India, we expect Umesh Yadav to start. Since he gave some crackling starts to RCB by picking wickets in the powerplay last year.
It is proven that Umesh is clearly more of a new ball bowler than a death bowler. Which is why Umesh is expected to be a sure starter in the side for his ability to pick wickets. His economy rate has been on the downside since he bowls a couple of overs in the backend of the game.
But in powerplays, Yadav’s economy has been below 8 over the years.
10. Yuzvendra Chahal
The leg-spinner from Haryana, Yuzvendra Chahal as they call him is a no brainer in the RCB side. Having been associated with RCB since 2014, Chahal has been an integral part of the franchise ever since. He’s played 83 matches for RCB and has picked 100 wickets for the franchise.
As a bowler, Chahal has always been the leading wicket-taker for RCB since 2015. With proven success over the years even for India in limited-overs cricket, Chahal is expected to put up a great show this year with the UAE pitches offering more assistance to the spinners.
11. Dale Steyn
The South Africa veteran hasn’t been an active player as he’s been struggling with multiple injuries. Recently he announced retirement from the test format to prolong his short format career. With Dale Steyn looking in great shape we expect him to bowl some fiery spells in the powerplay as well as in the death overs.
Steyn was the worlds number one bowler for a long duration and was posed as a threat to many batsmen in the batsmen. With Steyn returning from injuring we may see the old ‘Steyn Gun’ back in the display.
But just in case Steyn fails to perform, they always have a backup in the form of Kane Richardson who can do a similar job for the side. However, when we sit to pick the predicted XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Steyn is an obvious choice.