The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) tried to create a more balanced side in the auction for IPL 2021. RCB has acquired the ‘Big Show’ Glenn Maxwell for much-needed firepower in the middle order. Also, they have picked New Zealand sensation Kyle Jamieson in the auction which now gives RCB a quality all-rounder for the upcoming IPL season.
We look ahead at the possible XI of RCB that might take the field in their first match of IPL 2021. RCB have forever been the underachievers in IPL history but will be looking to turn their fortunes around with the current side and lift their maiden IPL title.
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Probable XI For IPL 2021
1. Devdutt Padikkal
The find for RCB in IPL 2020, Devdutt Padikkal will be striving to repeat his heroics in the upcoming season. The youngster in his very first season outscored even Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers and ended the season as the leading run-getter for RCB. In 15 matches Padikkal scored 474 runs with 5 fifties at a strike rate of 125.
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2. Mohammed Azharuddeen
In all likelihood, Devdutt Padikkal will be opening alongside the new buy of RCB Mohammed Azharuddeen. The right-handed batsman from Kerala got fame after his sublime 37 ball century in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy 2021.
Azharuddeen will be an ideal batting partner for Padikkal at RCB as he can go after the bowling from ball one and score at a strike rate of around 150. The 26-year-old was acquired by RCB at his base price of Rs. 20 lakhs for IPL 2021.
3. Virat Kohli ©
Next at number 3, it will be the captain of RCB Virat Kohli. The skipper of RCB will bat at his own pace and would allow the batsman at the other end to play freely. Kohli is the leading run-getter in IPL history but that elusive IPL trophy is still missing in his cabinet.
Come IPL 2021, all eyes will be on Kohli the batsman and captain as he will be aiming to be at his best and help RCB win their first-ever IPL title. Talking about his numbers as a batsman, Kohli so far has notched up 5878 runs in IPL including 5 100s and 39 50s.
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4. Ab de Villiers
The incredible AB de Villiers will most probably bat at number 4 for RCB in IPL 2021. The legendary batsman has over the years lit up IPL with his one of a kind batting which has helped RCB win countless matches. De Villiers much like Kohli will be playing to win the IPL title this year and end the long wait.
The legendary batsman has scored 4849 runs in IPL at an average of 40 and strike rate of almost 152. Expect a lot of firework from ABD even in IPL 2021 as he is still the most dangerous RCB batsman.
5. Glenn Maxwell
At number 5, enters the hard-hitting all-rounder from Australia Glenn Maxwell. The RCB management went all out for Maxwell as soon as his name was announced in the IPL auction. Eventually, he was bought Rs. 14.25 crores which prove that Maxwell is one of the best T20 players in the world right now.
The role for Maxwell in the middle-order will be to go out there and just take the game away from the opposition in a matter of a few overs. Maxwell now being part of RCB will surely release some pressure from Kohli and Ab de Villiers in IPL 2021.
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6. Kyle Jamieson
The New Zealand all-rounder will enter IPL 2021 with a huge weight of expectations from the RCB management and fans. Much like Maxwell, Kyle Jamieson too was RCB’s target in the IPL auction. RCB bought the services of the talented all-rounder for a whopping Rs. 15 crores which made him the most expensive Kiwi player in IPL history.
Jamieson is a perfect number 6 batsman in T20 cricket as he is known to execute big strokes from ball one. Along with Maxwell, he will be the new finisher for RCB in the batting line-up. Also, with the ball in hand Jamieson has the reputation of having the golden arm who picks key wickets of the opposition.
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7. Washington Sundar
The talented all-rounder of India and RCB, Washington Sundar is currently in the form of his life. The 21-year-old has taken his game to another level in recent times and will certainly be an asset for RCB with both bat and ball in IPL 2021. Going by his recent performances for India, IPL 2021 may turn out to be the season of Sundar and he may end up as the MVP for RCB in IPL 2021.
8. Kane Richardson
The onus will be on Kane Richardson during the death overs which has always been the Achilles heel of RCB. Ahead of the auction RCB retained Richardson and hinted that he will play a major role for the franchise in IPL 2021. Richardson is a skillful T20 bowler who has tasted success in BBL and also in T20Is for Australia.
9. Yuzvendra Chahal
The spin master of RCB, Yuzvendra Chahal had a dream season with the ball in IPL 2020. Whenever Kohli wanted Chahal to pick wickets he didn’t disappoint and delivered for his side under immense pressure. In the upcoming season, Chahal will again be a wicket-taking option for RCB in the middle overs when the opposition will be looking to accelerate.
10. Mohammed Siraj
The new ball will be surely given to Mohammed Siraj in every game of RCB in IPL 2021. Siraj will be high on confidence after his brilliant bowling performances for India in Australia. Siraj has this uncanny skill to strike early in the match as he can swing the ball both ways which make him a difficult bowler to getaway. Virat Kohli will be hoping that his fast bowler is at his absolute best in IPL 2021 and dents the opposition with early strikes in the match.
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11. Navdeep Saini
The last member of the probable playing XI for RCB in IPL 2021 is Navdeep Saini. Along with Richardson, Saini will be bowling the crucial overs for RCB between 16-20 overs where the batsmen are looking to score as many runs as possible. Saini has pace which is always a plus for any fast bowler especially against inexperienced Indian batsmen in the league.
Saini was brilliant in the first half of the season but got injured during the business end of the competition. If RCB wants to win the first IPL title they need Saini fully fit and on top of his game with the ball throughout the season.
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