The story of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has always been that of always the bridesmaid, never the bride. They have been runners-up of the tournament 3 times in 2009, 2011 and 2016. However, they have never been able to win the tournament.
This coming season of IPL 2018 will see a new look RCB team, which has been overhauled. Only the core of the team was retained and many new faces will be seen wearing the red and black jersey for the RCB team this year.
Here are 5 keys players who can help RCB win the IPL 11:
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL
Yuzvendra Chahal has been a revelation for RCB since IPL 2015 when he picked up 23 wickets for the team. He repeated the performance in IPL 2016, by picking 21 wickets and became one of the most sought-after leg spinners in the country. He even made his India debut in 2017 and has been part of the team India in limited overs team since then.
Chahal was used wisely by Virat Kohli in IPL and has proved effective, even while bowling in the power plays. Chahal has even built expertise in bowling to the power hitters and has successfully nullified them even when they are going strong.
He definitely will be the bowler on whom Kohli will depend upon to get him wickets any stage of the match.
BRENDON McCULLUM
The most aggressive opener in T20 cricket right now, Kiwi Brendon McCullum will be joining the RCB brigade for IPL 2018. Part of Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions setup; McCullum will be wielding his bat for RCB. Known for hitting the brilliant 158* in the very first match of the IPL back in 2008, McCullum has led team like GL and KKR; and has been one of the best openers in the league.
Scoring over 400 runs in IPL 2014 and 2015 and over 300 runs in IPL 2016 and 2017; McCullum is responsible for giving the team a quick start and taking full advantage of the first six overs of power play. He is also responsible for the leadership role in the team, advising the captain on various fronts.
His fielding anywhere in the field is just one big plus for RCB, as they aim to repeat their feat of IPL 2016 and get in the finals of the tournament.
QUINTON de KOCK
Quinton de Kock was bought after much deliberation by RCB. One of the most exciting young talents, De Kock has already shown why he is a sought-after player in T20 leagues.
IPL 2016 was a career-defining performance for De Kock, as he scored over 440 runs including a century. He missed the 2017 IPL due to an injury, but will now play for RCB and probably open for the franchise with Brendon McCullum.
De Kock is both aggressive and technically perfect and scores at a decently fast rate, capable of accelerating when required. He will be the one to look out for in this IPL 2018 from the RCB camp.
AB de VILLIERS
AB de Villiers has been a pillar of the RCB team since making his debut for them in 2011. He had a brilliant IPL 2015 and IPL 2016, scoring 513 and 687 runs respectively.
De Villiers has become the enforcer for RCB team, often coming in at times when either they have lost quick wickets, or need a move on. And De Villiers has proven his mastery in both the situations. More often than not, De Villiers has helped RCB come out of many sticky situations when Virat Kohli has failed.
With Kohli, De Villiers has formed a brutal partnership, which takes sadistic pleasure out of hitting the opposition for boundaries and sixes just for the fun of it. This year, De Villiers would want to make tons of runs to erase RCB’s performance in IPL 2017, when they ended up at the bottom of the points table.
VIRAT KOHLI
The supreme leader of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli broke records in IPL 2016 by making four centuries and 973 runs in the edition and led his team into the finals. But he was soon brought back to the ground in next edition in IPL 2017, as his team ended at the bottom of the points table.
Kohli himself tried hard, but couldn’t get the team back onto the track and now that he will have a new team to mold into his ideology; RCB can see themselves regaining the glory and even winning the tournament in IPL 2018.
Kohli is one of the top run-getters in IPL with 4418 runs in 149 matches and four centuries and 30 half-centuries. He would like to repeat his performance of IPL 2016 with the bat and win the tournament to fulfill his destiny.
