It’s been one and a half decades since the launch of the Indian Premier League. But the Royal Challengers Bangalore are still waiting for their first trophy. They qualified for the final in just the second edition of the league but fell short. They got to the final again in 2011 but lost once more. IPL 2016 looked like their year as they entered the final of the tournament as favourites. But, the trophy eluded them for the third time, and they are still waiting for their maiden IPL title.
Let’s analyze the RCB squad for the 2023 IPL and figure out their chances of getting to glory in this edition.
RCB Squad 2023
RCB have selected the following bunch of players for the upcoming IPL season:
Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Finn Allen, Rajat Patidar, Suyash Prabhudessai, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Wanindu Hasaranga, Will Jacks, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Manoj Bhandage, Sonu Yadav, Josh Hazlewood, Reece Topley, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Mohammed Siraj, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Himanshu Sharma, Karn Sharma
Royal Challengers Bangalore Likely Starting XI
Here’s what RCB’s best starting XI looks like:
- Faf du Plessis (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar
- Glenn Maxwell
- Suyash Prabhudessai
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Dinesh Karthik
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Harshal Patel
- Josh Hazlewood
- Mohammed Siraj
RCB Squad Strengths
These are the strengths that RCB will bank upon to get their first IPL trophy:
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Experienced Batting Lineup
The challengers will rely on 4 heavily experienced blokes to carry their batting lineup. These 4 cricketers are Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik. Kohli is one of the all-time greatest batsmen in T20 Internationals. He is the highest run-scorer in the format with 4008 runs. These runs have come at an average of 52.74 and a strike rate of 137.97. VK is also the top run scorer in the IPL, with 6624 runs.
Virat Kohli might open the batting with the legendary South African Faf du Plessis. He will also be captaining the side. Faf has scored 1528 T20I runs for South Africa at an average of 35.53 and an SR of 134.39. In his 10 IPL seasons, he has amassed 3403 runs while averaging 34.37 and striking at 130.58. He was a key part of the CSK team that won the IPL in 2018 and 2021. In his first season for RCB in 2022, Faf scored 468 runs.
Glenn Maxwell will likely bat at #4 for RCB. He has 2159 T20 International runs at an amazing strike rate of 150.98. He also has 2319 IPL runs at a strike rate of 153.88. He has played 110 matches in the Indian Premier League. Dinesh Karthik will be the Challengers’ finisher in the next IPL. He has experience of 60 T20Is and 229 IPL matches. Karthik has piled up 4376 runs in the league. He was in sensational touch last season as he scored 330 runs while averaging 55 and striking at 183.33.
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Depth in Batting
Apart from being experienced, Bangalore’s batting unit has depth in it. They have a solid top 3 in the form of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Rajat Patidar. Then, they have Glenn Maxwell, Suyash Prabhudessai, and Shahbaz Ahmed in the middle order. Dinesh Karthik will be their prime finisher. But they have also got Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel as sloggers. So, their batting goes as deep as till #9.
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Sound Bowling Line
We usually don’t associate such phrases in this RCB Team Preview, with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But their bowling has come a long way. It won’t be wrong to say that their bowling unit is one of the best in the IPL 2023. Wanindu Hasaranga will be their main spinner, who was the 2nd-highest wicket-taker in the previous season. Shahbaz Ahmed and Glenn Maxwell will provide two more spin-bowling options to the Challengers.
Josh Hazelwood will be the leader of the pace bowlers. He was also brilliant in IPL 2020, as he bagged 20 scalps. He will take the new ball along with Mohammad Siraj. Siraj is an exceptional new ball bowler due to his accurate seam position and fine line and length. The third seamer for RCB will be Harshal Patel. He is a death overs specialist and a wicket-taker in middle overs. He has been in fine form for the last couple of IPL seasons. So, these 6 bowling options make their bowling a strong one.
RCB Squad Weaknesses
The aspect that may worry RCB before the start of the IPL 2023 is:
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Lack of Bowling Options in Death Overs
In this RCB Team Preview, Hazelwood, Harshal, and Siraj are undoubtedly brilliant T20 bowlers. But Siraj isn’t a good death bowler at all. He can go for plenty in the slog overs. Josh Hazelwood was brilliant in death overs last year. However, he too can be expensive as he doesn’t have a great yorker. Harshal is the only one who is a specialist in this role. He has a good yorker and a deceptive slower one. But he can also get smashed when not in rhythm. A team should have 3 decent choices for the final overs. So, that’s an area where the Challengers will struggle.
Players To Watch Out
, In this RCB Team Preview, RCB’s top 5 players for the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League are:
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Virat Kohli
The highest run-getter in IPL history will begin his IPL season with a base price of ₹151. His batting form will be pivotal to RCB’s chances in this edition.
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Faf du Plessis
The skipper of the RCB side has scored the bulk of T20 runs in the last few years. His class and experience can yield plenty of runs for the Bangalore side. His base price for the season is ₹161.
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Glenn Maxwell
The Australian all-rounder provides the x-factor option in this team. He is the most valuable RCB player with a beginning value of ₹ 189.
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Mohammad Siraj
Siraj’s current value in sportiqo’s market is ₹99. He is certainly one of India’s best new ball bowlers, and he can grab tens of wickets in this edition of the cash-rich league.
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Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel was the purple cap winner in IPL 2021. He is Bangalore’s go-to-choice in middle and death overs. Harshal’s IPL will start at a price of ₹128.
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2023 Prediction
RCB Team Preview will discuss that have a strong squad with some top-notch batsmen and brilliant bowlers. They also have quality all-rounders who add balance to their lineup. That’s why the Royals should finish in 1st or 2nd position on the points table. The team led by Faf du Plessis should get to the final after 7 years. Not just that, they have a golden chance to win their first-ever IPL title, and they can surely do it.
Final Prediction: IPL 2023 Champions.
