Despite managing a playoff spot last season, Royal Challengers Bangalore sprung a surprise by executing a clearout ahead of the IPL 2021 Auctions. The Bengaluru-based outfit released the maximum number of players in the leadup to the event.
At the auctions, the Virat Kohli-led squad were quite active in the process. They took home the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Kyle Jamieson apart from adding Indian youngsters such as Mohammed Azharuddeen and KS Bharat to the roster.
All eyes would be on Mike Hesson and co. as to which XI they would dish out for the opening fixture. On that note, here is the strongest XI that Royal Challengers Bangalore can field in IPL 2021.
Openers: Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Azharuddeen (WK)
Devdutt Padikkal is in an excellent space at the moment. He is in top form in the domestic competitions and will yet again be a crucial part of RCB next season. The Karnataka lad is sure to get a run of fourteen games in 2021.
Partnering with DDP will be the new signing Mohammed Azharuddeen. The Kerala wicket-keeper will be tasked with improving the run rate at the start, something Aaron Finch could not do in 2020. RCB also has KS Bharat as a backup for this position. Not to forget, RCB might also find a way to include BBL top run-getter, Josh Philippe, for a few encounters.
Middle-Order: Virat Kohli (C) and AB de Villiers
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are the heart of this unit. RCB’s performance will be inevitably directly proportional to the performances of Virat and AB. While the South African was excellent last season too, Virat struggled in a few games. Nevertheless, on their day, both these gentlemen are capable of winning games single-handedly. If RCB is to lift their first trophy, unsurprisingly, Virat and AB will have to be at their best.
All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Washington Sundar and Kyle Jamieson
The second-costliest but at IPL 2021 Auctions, Glenn Maxwell will bring the X-Factor element to RCB. With the Aussie’s arrival, the pressure on Virat and AB will reduce. That said, Maxwell is in a rough patch in IPL and must step up at the earliest.
Washington Sundar’s T20 bowling is top class. However, RCB will intend to extract more from Washi’s bat. The Tamil Nadu youngster is in good form and will want to carry the momentum to IPL.
For the price at which he was bought, Kyle Jamieson will at least play in the initial encounters. His role would be simple. The Kiwi will be expected to emulate the role which Chris Morris played in 2020. It’s a big ask, and RCB fans will be hopeful that the tall lad can pull it off. Dan Christian and Daniel Sams will be the backups for Jamieson.
Bowlers: Kane Richardson, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, and Yuzvendra Chahal
The Achilles-heel of Royal Challengers Bangalore, bowling could be a concern for the franchise in 2021. Kane Richardson is the team’s lead pacer, and the problem starts right there. He will have Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj as his partners. The Indian duo is hot-and-cold candidates and could leak runs at times. More than anything, RCB must back their players to get the best execution from them.
The only positive will be the presence of Yuzvendra Chahal, arguably one of the most influential T20 spinners right now. He will be the only undroppable player in this department.
