RCB Predicted XI
Aaron Finch was acquired by RCB for 4.40 crores INR after a short battle with KKR in the IPL auction. Finch is one of the best openers in international T20 cricket at the moment and is automatically the key man in the RCB playing XI. He is a very dangerous batsman who is equally adept against pace and spin. RCB are hopeful of the Aussie taking off some pressure from Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Parthiv Patel is expected to start the season for the Challengers in IPL 2020. His role is to provide quick starts in the powerplay using his timing and placement – as he hardly scores when the field is widespread after the first six overs.
Virat Kohli, the skipper of the side who has opened the inning majorly since IPL 2016, is expected to bat at one down in the next edition of the IPL due to the acquisition of Aaron Finch. Kohli plays brilliantly at three for the national side, and is expected to continue his brilliance there for RCB also. The RCB skipper is the perfect man to anchor the inning without sacrificing the scoring run rate.
AB de Villiers, the all-time great, is the biggest match-winner in the current squad of RCB. Since IPL 2018, the South African has been the best batsman for RCB with an excellent average of 48.53 and a brilliant strike rate of over 164. The right-handed batsman has as many as eleven 50+ scores and won several games for the franchise in their tough period.
The English all-rounder was one of the best players for RCB in IPL 2019, contributing decently both with the bat and the ball. The left-handed batsman was mainly used as a power-hitter in the middle-overs to smash the spinners. Besides being a good middle-order batsman, Moeen is a handy off-spinner and adds the much-needed balance to the side.
Dube did not get enough chances to showcase his skills in his first IPL season, as he featured in only four matches and disappointed. However, his domestic form meant the southpaw was kept in the national set up as a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Dube scored his maiden fifty at the highest level when he was promoted to bat at three in the second T20I against the West Indies. The Mumbaikar’s ability to hit big sixes and bat at a brisk pace means he will play as a number 6.
The third most expensive player in this IPL auction was Chris Morris, bought by RCB for a whopping amount of 10 crores INR. The South African has represented several IPL teams and comes with huge experience of T20 leagues around the world. Morris is a capable death bowler who can clock over 140 kph and nail pin-point Yorkers and is a handy lower order batsman capable of hitting big shots.
Washington Sundar/Pawan Negi
Washington Sundar, the bowling all-rounder is also a handy player to have in the squad. The 20-year-old is an off-spinner, able to bowl in the powerplay and not conceding easy runs. Sundar is not a wicket-taking option, as his main job is to control the flow of the runs. The left-hander is also a capable batsman regularly playing at the top order in TNPL. One of Sundar or Negi might make the final 11.
Navdeep Saini:
Navdeep Saini, the young speedster was the find of RCB in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League. Although Saini did not have excellent figures, he has since made his debut for India and has taken rapid strides forward. The Haryana pacer is expected to partner Morris in the death overs. The 27-year-old is capable of bowling 90 mph consistently giving RCB the firepower they lacked in previous years.
Yuzvendra Chahal:
The Most Valuable Player of RCB in the IPL 2019 is an automatic selection in the RCB playing XI for 2020. He is India’s best leggie spinner and a brilliant bowler in the shortest format. The 29-year-old is a genuine wicket-taker and is Kohli’s go-to man whenever the skipper needs a wicket. With 100 wickets to his name since his first stint with RCB in 2014, the leg-spinner is the second-most successful bowler and the best spinner in the IPL.
Umesh Yadav/Mohammad Siraj:
One of Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Siraj is going to miss out in the final XI. Umesh struggled in IPL 2019, but being the senior bowler might be preferred over Siraj. If he struggles, Siraj is more than capable of filling in for Umesh.
