Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are yet to win IPL trophy. RCB has kept the majority of its core going into the auction for IPL 2023 after a fantastic season in 2022. In this, we’ll look at the RCB’s predicted and strongest playing XI for the 2023 upcoming season.
Virat Kohli
The Greatest batter of the modern era, Virat Kohli, needs no introduction. After having a relatively slow start to the year and a very below-par IPL 2022, he announced himself on the biggest stage earlier this month when he emerged as the top scorer of this year’s T20 World Cup. In the RCB setup, Kohli is best suited to open the innings against the new ball. He is excellent against pace in the powerplay and can play the role of an ideal anchor.
Faf Du Plessis
Photo by Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for IPL
Du Plessis will enjoy the responsibility of being both the team’s captain and opener. He will have full license to go after the bowing up front with Kohli and Patidar on either side of him. Although the South African is getting on in terms of age, he is still fit and seems to have a couple of stellar years of cricket left in him.
Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar is one of the country’s brightest up-and-coming batsmen. After having a stellar second half of last season, Patidar has carried forward his good form into the domestic season. Originally a replacement player, Patidar cemented his place at number three in the RCB 11 when he smashed a stunning hundred against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Glenn Maxwell
One of the most destructive T20 batters in the world, Glenn Maxwell is the x-factor that the RCB middle order needs against spin in the middle overs. Equally dexterous with both the sweep and the reverse, Maxwell might well prove to be the most important piece of the RCB batting lineup. He is also a useful sixth or seventh bowling option.
Mahipal Lomror
The young left-handed batter from Rajasthan can prove to be a valuable asset for the RCB side. He has proven to be a good option against spin, especially left armers and leg spinners. Not to mention the fact that he is handy with the ball and can give in with a couple of overs of left-arm spin.
Dinesh Karthik
Last summer turned out to be homecoming season for the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman. He finally found a team that knew how to utilise him well and he did not disappoint them. His role is very clearly defined in the RCB setup, i.e., to attack pace in the death, and play the classic role of the finisher.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga is among the top T20 players in the world. He was bought by the RCB last season for a whopping 10.75 Cr., and he lived up to the price tag. His quick leg spinners can prove to be a handful for any batter in the world and is also a handy number seven with the bat.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel’s first season with the RCB after his trade from Delhi Capitals’ will be remembered for years to come. He earned himself the record of claiming the joint most scalps in a single tournament. He followed it up with another promising season last year. However, he has had a disappointing international season with team India and was recently dropped from the Indian side. Therefore he will have a point to prove come IPL 2023.
Mohammed Siraj
The pacer from Hyderabad has become the most improved bowler in all formats. He has come a long from being the son of an auto driver to being one of the leading fast bowlers in the country. However, this season of the IPL will prove to be crucial for him keeping in mind a possible place in the Indian T20 side. RCB will be banking on his bowling skills.
Josh Hazelwood
Josh Hazlewood is one of the most improved T20 bowlers in the world. He has remodeled his skillset and is now a force to reckon with when it comes to T20 bowling. He is lethal both in the powerplay and the middle overs with his swing and bounce. He is therefore an important player in RCB squad.
Shahbaz Ahmed
Shahbaz Ahmed is the textbook definition of a utility T20 player. He can bat, bowl and field with equal potential. He can be used as a floater in the RCB batting lineup and be sent in as a pinch hitter when the RCB team feels it is necessary to move the scoring rate forward. He is also a more than handy left-arm spinner for RCB.