The most awaited IPL 2020 season is all set to kick start from 19th September 2020. And all the players are giving their best in their practice sessions and are aiming to give their best on the field.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – They have been dreaming to hold the IPL trophy for ages.
RCB is one of the most underperforming teams of IPL – It would be harsh on them but that’s the sad “REALITY”.
Despite star players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villers, Umesh Yadav, Chahal. They have failed to perform on big matches.
There were a lot of areas where they were lacking behind – So, in order to fill in the gaps, the new coaching staff headed by Mike Hesson. Simon Katich has decided to bid for some specific players.
RCB spent Rs 10 crore on Chris Morris. Apart from him, they also bought Australia’s white-ball captain, Aaron Finch, for Rs 4.4 crore
Their training camp is going really good and in a recent interview Virat has mentioned that – “ This is the most balanced side of RCB since 2016”. By the expectation from the fans has increased.
So, Now let’s look RCB’s Strongest Playing XI:
Opening Pair: Virat Kohli (Cap), Devdutt Padikkal
Skipper Virat Kohli is likely to have a new opening partner in the form of Devdutt Padikkal.
Padikkal has impressed the team management in the past one year and is likely to get the nod over Parthiv Patel. He is the highest run-scorer in Vijay Hazare Trophy (609) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (580). He also scored 649 runs in Ranji Trophy – He can be that hidden Gem in RCB’s Camp.
Middle-order: Aaron Finch, AB de Villiers
Australian skipper and right-handed opener – Aaron Finch was acquired by RCB for a whopping price of 4.40 crores INR. He is one of the finest and best openers in the modern-day of cricket, especially in T20 Internationals.
He has that potential to give that kick start for the team. And we can expect some Finch Storms in UAE. His addition to the side has boosted the batting department heavily.
Even the main reason to pick him was – To take out the pressure from Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
And Mr.360, AB De Villiers is likely to double up as a wicketkeeper-batsman as the team would need someone behind the wickets in Patel’s absence.
All-rounders: Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi, Shivam Dube
The South African bowling all-rounder Chris Morris’ was bought for a whopping price tag of 10 crores and that makes him an automatic selection in the playing XI.
And apart from Morris, Shivam Dube will be another pace-bowling all-rounder. His performance in last season was not up to the mark but he is now a capped player and he might find his form this season.
Washington Sundar is the new ball bowler fro Team India T20Is. And he is seen trying some new variations in the nets – We might find a new Sundar this season.
Pawan Negi might get a chance in place of Adam Zampa as a team can only have four overseas players in the playing XI. Negi is also a handy customer with the bat and he can be a part-time bowler too.
Bowlers: Dale Steyn, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal
The bowling Trio is all set to fire this season – Steyn is ready to show some firepower in this season and he looks really good in nets and practice sessions. And he will lead the pace attack along with Navdeep Saini and Umesh Yadav ( Will likely compete for the second pacer’s spot on the slow pitches in UAE).
Even Saini looks really good in the practice sessions and he has some serious pace to offer for the opponents.
Chahal will be the leader of RCB’s spin attack, is a confirmed selection in their playing XI.
Here is RCB’s strongest playing XI – Virat Kohli (Captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch. Ab de Villiers (WK), Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi, Shivam Dube, Dale Steyn, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal.
