Perhaps the perfect example of perennial bridesmaids, but never the bride, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has always been the team with the best players and best support staff, but the results are never the way it should be.
In the 12 seasons of IPL so far, RCB has reached finals three times in 2009, 2011 and 2016, with their best performance coming in 2016 season when the team looked unbeatable until they met Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the finals. However, their fortunes have pummeled in the last three seasons finishing last on the points table twice.
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Virat Kohli and his side will be looking to turn the fortunes of the team around. They have made changes to their logo and also some big buys in the IPL 2020 auction and therefore, Team COC presents the best predicted playing XI for RCB franchise.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have always being a batting heavy side. This season as well, they have various options at the top but the best combination might be that of veteran Parthiv Patel and young Karnataka’s own Devdutt Padikkal opening the innings. Parthiv has ensured the team got off to a good start, while Padikkal has been on a red-hot streak in limited-overs domestic cricket. 
The middle-order is expected to be stacked with AB de Villiers, captain Virat Kohli and England’s Moeen Ali boosting the run-scoring in middle overs. All three have proven track records in the format and have done well in the previous season as well. Kohli would be highly motivated to make a big splash this season given that he will be leading the Indian side in the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
This IPL will also be important for AB de Villiers, who is trying to stake a claim to return to the South Africa team after almost two years of retirement. As for the finishing power, RCB will look to Shivam Dube and Chris Morris to do the required as both are big hitters and capable of sending the ball into the crowd regularly.
The spin bowling department is expected to be helmed by Yuzvendra Chahal along with Moeen Ali, both experienced to deal with any and all situations. However, this time, RCB boasts of a better equipped fast bowling attack with Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini being led by the experienced Dale Steyn. The only question will be Steyn’s fitness and Umesh Yadav’s form with the white ball.
Saini impressed on the tour of New Zealand with his pace and yorkers and surprisingly with his batting skills as well.
Virat Kohli will hope that this time, RCB makes it into the playoffs this season with the kind of batting and bowling power the franchise possesses.
COC Predicted Best Playing XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
Devdutt Padikkal, Parthiv Patel (WK), Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal
