Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had their best Indian Premier League (IPL) season after a long time in IPL 2020 when they qualified for the playoffs after finishing in the bottom half of the previous three IPL editions.
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The Virat Kohli-led side had one of the most productive seasons in IPL 2020 in the UAE, as their batting and bowling came in sync after a long time and they will be looking forward to doing well in the IPL 2021 edition which begins from April 9 onwards.
They will be playing the opening match of the IPL 14 against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
At the IPL 2021 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) filled quite a few spots in their squad. Their two biggest buys were Glenn Maxwell for Rs 14.25 crore and Kyle Jamieson for Rs 15 crores. Some of the other players bought by RCB in the IPL 2021 auction were Dan Christian (4.8 crores), Sachin Baby (20 lakhs), Rajat Patidar (20 lakhs), Mohammed Azharuddeen (20 lakhs), Suyash Prabhudesai (20 lakhs), KS Bharat (20 lakhs).
Later Josh Philippe was replaced by Finn Allen of New Zealand, as the Australian keeper-batsman pulled out of the entire IPL 2021.
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Keeping in mind the squad of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), COC Presents to you the Best Playing XI for their first match of the IPL 2021.
During the 5th T20I between India and England, captain Virat Kohli had mentioned that he will be opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming IPL 2021 as well, hence he becomes an automatic choice as the opening partner for Devdutt Padikkal.
The Karnataka left-hander had a dream Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021, slammed more than 730 runs with a purple patch run of scores reading 25, 97, 152, 126*, 145*, 101, and 64. He also had a brilliant outing in the IPL 2020, cementing his place at the top of the RCB batting order.
RCB bought a young and dashing batsman-keeper in Mohammed Azharuddeen of Kerala, who recently slammed the second-fastest T20 century by Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, scoring his ton in just 37 balls, ending up with 137 in 54 balls. He hit nine fours and 11 sixes with a strike-rate of 253.70.
Given that he keeps wicket as well, RCB can have him bat at no.3, relieving AB de Villiers of the keeping duties he performed in the IPL 2020.
Talking of AB de Villiers, many felt that the South African batting great was fighting a lone battle as the sole finisher in the RCB XI, and hence the team management went hard for Glenn Maxwell in the IPL 2021 auction. Now De Villiers and Kohli can be assured that they have someone as explosive as Maxwell down the order to do the dirty hitting.
Maxwell might also be used as a spinner, given that RCB play matches away from their home ground in venues like Chennai and Delhi, which support spin.
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Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to be the specialist spinners in the RCB lineup, with Sundar doing extremely well in powerplay overs and Chahal building pressure in middle overs.
Expect RCB to intimidate the opposition with a loaded pace bowling attacking featuring Kyle Jamieson, and Kane Richardson from their foreign contingent, and Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj from their Indian talents.
RCB also has Pavan Deshpande, Dan Christian, and Shahbaz Ahmed to choose from for their bowling attack.
COC predicted best playing XI for RCB in IPL 2021:
Virat Kohli (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Azharuddeen (WK), AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Kane Richardson, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
