IPL 2016: Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted XI

Yet another season of the IPL is all set to roll out as the Royal Challengers Bangalore are once again set to start their quest to win the coveted title. Although they have come close in the past, the opportunity presents itself once more to the Challengers. Having been quite productive in the recently concluded auction, RCB will be hoping to put up a better show in the 9th edition of the Indian Premier League. However, with the number of stars on the show, it will be a difficult task for Daniel Vettori and skipper Virat Kohli to pick out a playing XI. That said, we take a look at perhaps the best possible XI for the Royal Challengers. 1.Shane Watson: Australia’s Shane Watson. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) The Australian all-rounder was the most expensive buy in the 2016 auction as he was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping 9.5 crores. Despite boasting of all-rounders such as David Wiese and Stuart Binny, the importance of Shane Watson cannot be quantified. Perhaps his exploits in the track suit of the Rajasthan Royals can be seen as evidence. 2.Chris Gayle: Chris Gayle. (Photo Source: BCCI) Chris Gayle is the sweetheart of Bangalore. Period. Gayle was drafted into the RCB squad following an injury to Dirk Nannes. And my word he has taken his opportunity to the next level. However, the over-dependence on Gayle has proved to be a thorn in the side of the Royal Challengers in the past. He will be raring to go, especially following the Windies triumph in the World T20. 3.Virat Kohli (C): Virat Kohli RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Bangalore skipper has been in phenomenal form. He is a class apart at the moment. His class eludes him and has seen him flirt with the captaincy in the past. The recently concluded World T20 saw a different side to Virat Kohli. He played as though he had some responsibility to fulfill. He now has a bigger responsibility. It is clear as day and it is something he will relish in the next couple of months. 4.AB de Villiers: AB de Villiers RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) When AB de Villiers puts on the RCB colors he becomes invincible. The Proteas fire burns harder. Fast bowlers loath bowling to de Villiers. In all fairness, a moving target is much harder to hit. Even while fielding, he is like a thunderbolt, buzzing like lightning on the blades of grass. In a nutshell, he is an extremely important member of the side and for them to change the fortunes AB has to play a significant role. 5.Mandeep Singh: Mandeep Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI) Mandeep Singh made the move south from the Kings XI Punjab to the RCB. He grabbed his chance with both hands as he showcased his repertoire of shots when given the opportunity and is perhaps one of the most popular uncapped players in the side. Kohli has shown enough faith in the youngster and he has done it all with the bat and on the field to pay it off. 6.Sarfaraz Khan: Sarfaraz Khan. (Photo Source: BCCI) The youngest player in the side, Sarfaraz shot to fame in no time. His ability to play the big shots in the later part of the innings makes him yet another important member of the side. Sarfaraz Khan is quintessentially the future of Indian cricket. Pundits and fans all agree that Sarfaraz is one for the future as he performs above his years. 7.Kedar Jadhav (wk): Kedar Jadhav. (Photo: BCCI) For some strange reason, Kedar Jadhav has never been able to make the transition from domestic cricket to international cricket. However, it seems as though he has a new lease of life with the Challengers. Apart from his obvious batting abilities, Jadhav will be expected to keep wickets as well. 8.Stuart Binny: Stuart Binny RR. (Photo Source: BCCI) For Stuart Binny, this is a homecoming of sorts. Having made his name with the Rajasthan Royals, Binny has made the trip down south to his home team. He will be expected to perform in a similar capacity as he did with the Royals by providing the finishing touches to the batting innings. He will also have to come in and bowl the wily off-cutters and chip in with wickets in the middle overs. 9.Kane Richardson: (Photo Source: BCCI) The absence of Mitchell Starc means that the burden of leading the RCB pace attack will fall on his countrymate Kane Richardson. The latter made large strides in the previous edition of the IPL with a magnificent outing for the Royals. Whether he can replicate such heroics remains to be seen. 10.Harshal Patel: Harshal Patel RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) It is no secret that the Bangalore has invested a lot in the development of Harshal Patel. It was only the previous season that Patel rose to the responsibilities thrust on him to deliver. He bowled well in tandem with Starc in the previous edition and was at his best in the later half of IPL 2015. Despite not boasting of terrorizing pace, Patel is a wily bowler with a decent slower bouncer. 11.Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yuzvendra Chahal came into an RCB side when they were in desperate need of a quality spinner. In Chahal, they found a leg-spinner who spun the ball viciously as well as picked up wickets. He boasts of many a variation in his kitty and skipper Kohli loves to throw the ball at the lanky spinner when looking for a wicket.

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IPL 2016: Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted XI

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