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IPL 2018 : RCB’s probable XI against KKR

Gokul Nair
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Fantasy Tips for KKR vs RCB

After a dismal 2017 campaign, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will hope to bounce back this year and get back to winning ways. Having reached the final on three occasions and losing them all, they will look to achieve their first ever title this time around.

OPENERS:

Parthiv Patel

The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was a key player in the Mumbai Indians’ squad from 2015 to 2017, opening the batting for them for all three seasons.

He formed a formidable partnership with Lendl Simmons and Jos Buttler and gave the Indians a good start on a number of occasions.

He will most likely open the batting and keep wickets for RCB this year and will hope to give them the perfect start and fill the void Chris Gayle has left in the side.

Brendon Mccullum

Baz, as he is fondly known, has been lighting up T20 leagues all around the world with his explosive batting skills.He retired from international cricket in 2015 and has been a part of a lot of T20 leagues since then.

He has been a part of the IPL since its inception and lit up the tournament in the very first game with a 158 run knock against the side he is going to be playing for now.He will look to do much of the same for RCB this year and give them the perfect start.

MIDDLE ORDER:

Virat Kohli

The Indian captain has been in sensational form for the past few years and has been breaking records for fun.

He has been opening RCB’s batting for the past few years, however, given the number of openers on their side, he will most likely go back to his preferred no. 3 position.

After last year’s horror show, he will look to guide RCB to their first ever title this time around.

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers has undoubtedly been RCB’s best middle-order batsman since he joined the side in 2011. He has single-handedly taken RCB to numerous victories over the years and produced some breath taking knocks along the way.

After a sensational outing against Australia in the recently concluded controversial Test series, ABD will look to provide RCB with stability in the middle order.

Pawan Negi

The all-rounder is quite important for this RCB side, as Negi is critical to maintain the balance in this side. His ability to hit the long ball will be crucial in the death overs, and his left-arm spin is very important in the middle overs.

Sarfaraz Khan

The enigmatic youngster missed most of the 2016 season due to fitness issues and the entire 2017 season due to an injury he picked up. However, much to everyone’s surprise, he was retained by the team ahead of the 2018 season.

He has the ability to ability to take the game away from the opposition, as he showcased in the 2015 season and with the Indian Under-19 side as well. He will most likely play the role of a finisher this season and will most likely play in all the matches this season.

Colin de Grandhomme

The Kiwi all-rounder had a forgettable outing with the Kolkata Knight Riders last season and will hope to turn things around this season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He is a big-hitter of the ball and can be the perfect finisher for any side he plays for.

He also contributes a lot with the ball and will look to provide RCB with vital breakthroughs throughout the innings.

Washington Sundar

The 18-year-old all-rounder first made his mark in the 2016 ICC U-19 World Cup and followed that up with a remarkable outing with the Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL last year.

He made his debut for the Indian cricket team in the Nidahas Trophy earlier this year and ended up with the most number of wickets to his name (tied with Yuzvendra Chahal) and a superb economy rate. He will be a key player for RCB this year and will hope to make a similar impact for them as he did for the Indian side.

Chris Woakes

The English all-rounder has been in great form for his national side and has been contributing with the bat and the ball. He picked up 17 wickets with the ball last year but leaked a lot of runs, going at 8.77 per over.

Unfortunately, he failed with the bat as he managed to score just 46 runs. He will look to turn things around this year and make worthy contributions in both departments of the game.

BOWLERS:

Yuzvendra Chahal

Arguably one of the best T20 bowlers in the world right now, Yuzvendra Chahal came into the limelight after some noteworthy performances in the IPL.

He made an immediate impact after making his international debut and has transformed into India’s best limited-overs spinner.

He has been a key player for RCB over the past few years and will look to carry the burden of the bowling department on his shoulders this year as well.

Umesh Yadav

The Indian pacer has been out of action for a while now, with the last match he played being against Australia last year.

He had a decent outing in the Ranji Trophy and the other domestic tournaments which followed. He will be raring to go in the IPL and will spearhead RCB’s bowling attack this season. He will most likely open the bowling as well.

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