IPL 2021: Brad Hogg picks RCB’s probable best playing XI for the tournament

As the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is around a week away, former Australian veteran Brad Hogg predicted the probable Playing XI for the franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB will be locking horns with Mumbai Indians on April 9 in their inaugural game of the tournament and will be hoping to cross the line this time to win their maiden IPL Trophy.

Starting with the opening slot, Hogg picked RCB’s last year’s highest run-getter Devdutt Padikkal along with the skipper and batting maestro Virat Kohli. A few days ago, Virat had announced that he will be exploring his abilities as an opener as he will open in the IPL 2021. Brad believes that Devdutt and the skipper will make a fierce opening partnership and will be able to give the team a good start.

“They will have Padikkal open the batting. I think he did a fantastic job last year and is another Indian talent coming through. Opening the batting with him will be Virat Kohli. I think that is his prime position. He will be able to time the ball, pierce the gaps during the powerplay. His role will be to bat through the whole innings,” the Australian said in a video uploaded on his YouTube handle.

Coming to the number three slot, the former left-arm off-spinner chose AB de Villiers while the number five and six positions were given to RCB’s two new recruits, Glenn Maxwell and Daniel Christian respectively. To make the batting line-up lethal, Hogg believes that the Bangalore outfit should play Mohammed Azharuddeen at the number six position as he can also act as a keeper for the team.

The Virat Kohli-led side boasts of having a good spin line-up with the presence of Washington Sundar, Adam Zampa, and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, the 50-year-old decided to go with two Indian spin options to include one overseas seam option Kane Richardson.

Brad Hogg leaves out Kyle Jamieson

Brad Hogg wants Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini to lead the pace attack for the side as they along with Kane can do some serious damage to the opposition. However, with this, he left behind RCB’s highest signing for IPL 2020, New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson.

“We have got Washington Sundar at no. 7, who is also a big-hitter and can do some damage there. We have also got Siraj and Saini, two frontline Indian fast bowlers, who have got a bit of experience now being in the Indian setup. Kane Richardson for me is coming in at no. 10 and Chahal at no. 11,” Hogg added. 

Here’s the predicted XI:

Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Kane Richardson, Yuzvendra Chahal.