Royal Challengers Bangalore’s All-Time Eleven

How do you make an all-time XI from a galaxy of stars?

You need to be lucky to posses a genuine world class player in your side, who can win you matches from seemingly insurmountable positions. Royal Challengers Bangalore though, have not one but two superstars in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will once again head into an IPL season with their fortunes resting on their magical duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

RCB have traditionally had a top heavy side, with their flimsy bowling lineup invariably being their Achilles heel over the years.

That being said, let us look the players that would make it into RCB’s all-time XI!

OPENERS

Chris Gayle

Quite possibly the greatest player in the history of T20 cricket, Chris Gayle captured the imagination of the world during his exploits with RCB over the years.

The ‘Gayle-Storm’ was a frequent occurrence at the Chinnaswamy stadium, as the great Jamaican would terrorize bowlers for many years.

His incredible score of 175 against the now defunct Pune Warriors side remains the highest individual score in IPL cricket.

Virat Kohli

The second highest run scorer in IPL history, Virat Kohli is currently at the zenith of his batting powers. After an underwhelming couple of seasons early on his RCB career, Kohli exploded into life and reached his peak in 2016.

Unfortunately for RCB fans, Kohli could not guide his team to a trophy as the Bengaluru outfit are still searching for their maiden IPL title.

Let’s hope that IPL’s only remaining one-man club finally lifts the IPL title this year.

MIDDLE ORDER

Rahul Dravid

It is forget, but before RCB became Virat Kohli’s side, Rahul Dravid used to be the face of the Bengaluru franchise. Dravid scored close to 900 runs in three seasons with the club, and remains one of the highest Indian run scorers for the club.

After a disastrous 2008 campaign, Dravid reached the 2009 final with his club, and went close to lifting the title that year.

But as is always the case with the RCB franchise, it was so near yet so far for the red and gold army.

AB de Villiers

One of the modern greats of the game today, AB de Villiers was a superstar before he played for RCB. But his exploits with the Bengaluru franchise forever endeared himself to not just RCB fans, but cricket lovers all over India.

ABD gets a standing ovation whenever he comes out to bat in India, a privilege that is reserved for very few players in the game.

With a strike rate of 157.19,  AB has played some miraculous innings and dragged victory from the jaws of defeat for the RCB fans, creating memories that will live long in the hearts of RCB fans all over the world.

Jacques Kallis

One of the greatest players to ever play the game, Jacques Kallis eventually became a high quality T20 player. After a poor 2008 season, Kallis improved next year and then became a star with 572 runs in the 2010 season for RCB.

Kallis also picked up 23 wickets in three seasons, making him a vital cog in the RCB lineup. Unfortunately for RCB, Kallis left the club just when he was reaching his peak as a T20 player.

But the great South African’s contributions cannot be forgotten, as Kallis will always remembered for his contributions for RCB.

Robin Uthappa

Before Uthappa became a KKR legend, the attacking batsman was a crucial part of the RCB setup. Uthappa is the third highest Indian run scorer in RCB history, as he scored over 700 runs with a strike rate in the late 130s.

He was part of the RCB side that reached the 2009 final, and was an important part of the exciting 2010 side that reached the playoffs.

Uthappa scored five centuries in two seasons, and will be fondly remembered by the club.

BOWLERS

Anil Kumble

Kumble was given the captaincy mid-way through the second season, and was an immediate success. The legendary leg spinner led the team really well, and almost won the trophy in 2009.

Kumble remained the captain for some time after that, before calling it quits and taking a more prominent role in RCB team management.

A legend for both India and RCB, Bengaluru’s own Anil Kumble will always be remembered for his contributions to the side.

Mitchell Starc

It was a pity that Mitchell Starc’s best phase as a cricketer came at a time when RCB were going through one of their worst phases.

Nevertheless, Starc was brilliant with the ball as he picked up 34 wickets between 2014 and 2015. His 4/15 against KXIP was one of the best bowling performances in IPL history.

Vinay Kumar

The highest wicket taker in RCB history, Vinay Kumar picked up 80 wickets during his time with the Bengaluru franchise.

Vinay Kumar provided an experienced head at the death overs, something that has not always been the case for the Bengaluru franchise.

One of RCB’s best performers during his five-year stint with the club.

Zaheer Khan

The legendary fast bowler had an impressive spell with the Bengaluru franchise, as Zak picked up 40 wickets in five years with the club.

The third highest wicket in RCB history, Zak was a steady presence with the ball during his five year stint with the franchise.

S Arvind

Arvind was a highly under rated bowler during his time with RCB, as he was always over shadowed by his more illustrious team mates.

Arvind was the side’s highest wicket taker in 2011, and has continued to impress in the IPL over the years.