IPL 2018: Likely XI for Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Mr 360, AB de Villiers is an integral cog in this batting line-up. Even after the bowlers have picked up 3 wickets, they will still have de Villiers to deal with. With over 6,000 T20 runs and a strike rate over close to 150, de Villiers is indeed a treat to watch when he gets going. RCB did not think twice before retaining him ahead of the IPL 2018 auction.

The future of Indian cricket Washington Sundar showed what he is capable of for RPS in IPL 2016. He was also handed an India debut recently and also did well in the Inter-Zonal T20 league, where he sometimes opened the batting for his side as well. The 18-year-old had put a base price of Rs 1.5 crore on him and RCB scalped him for Rs 3.2 crore. A fine buy by the franchise.

Eyebrows were raised when Sarfaraz Khan was retained by RCB along with Kohli and de Villiers. In fact he did not feature even in a single match in 2017. However, in his 2 seasons in IPL he has 177 runs from 18 matches at 29.50, with an incredible strike rate of 173.52. His powerful hitting can come in handy in the death overs.

Part of Sunrisers Hyderabad last year, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s good show in 2017 earned him a spot in the Indian squad, for whom he has played a couple of T20Is. While he has the pace, he lacks accuracy somewhat and can go for plenty of runs. But he is a wicket-taking bowler, which works in his favour.

Skipper Virat Kohli has been in the form of his life over the last couple of years. He scored close to 1,000 runs in 2016, but had an off season in 2017. He will want to strike form in this season to help RCB win their maiden title.

Chris Woakes impressed in his debut IPL season for KKR in 2016, where he picked up 17 wickets in 13 matches. He has also improved his batting over the last year and could be a huge threat down the order as well. Woakes had a base price of Rs 2 cr but was purchased for Rs 7.4 crore, making him the most expensive player purchased in the auction by RCB.

Brendon McCullum needs no introduction. Over the years, he has destroyed all the bowling attacks in the world and RCB will expect him to do the same. He has played for CSK, KKR and most recently for GL in the IPL. He was sold for Rs 3.2 crore in the IPL 2018 auction.

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock can easily slot into the opening slot with ease. De Kock can take the game away in a matter of a few deliveries and RCB will look to cash in on that

Mandeep Singh’s presence at No. 6 gives RCB further depth in their batting department. Mandeep has over 1,000 IPL runs in 70 matches and also has five fifties to his name. The fact that he was bought for Rs 1.4 crore from his base price of Rs 50 Lakh shows how much faith RCB have in him.

The backbone of RCB’s bowling Yuzvendra Chahal has improved with each passing year. He is not just a brilliant player in the IPL, but has also put in consistent performances for India as well. The leg-spinner is among those players who is in firm contention for a place in the national squad for the ICC World Cup 2019.

Leading the RCB attack will be the experienced Umesh Yadav. A bit on the expensive side, but without a shadow of a doubt, Umesh is a genuine wicket-taker. Umesh has picked up 91 wickets in 94 matches in the IPL. Umesh as a result was bought for Rs 4.2 crore from a base price of Rs 1 crore.