Royal Challengers Bangalore’s trophy cabinet is still empty even after playing all 13 IPL seasons. The hopes of fans are increasing season after season. However, at the end of every season, the team has disappointed its supporters. RCB looks a strong side on paper but most of the time it depends on the top trio; Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, RCB has a well-balanced squad this year and here we are presenting you the best playing 11 of RCB to play in IPL 2021.
RCB Best Playing 11 2021
1. Devdutt Paddikal: The Karnataka lad will continue to bat at the opening slot. In IPL 2020 auction, Paddikal was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore for his base price of 20 lakh. The franchise bought gold for the price of silver as the deal turned out to be highly beneficial. In his debut IPL season, he had scored 473 runs in 15 matches which were most by an RCB batsman in 2020.
2. Virat Kohli: The skipper is experimenting with his batting position yet again. In 5th T20I against England, Virat opened the innings with Rohit Sharma. In the post-match presentation, he told that he is looking forward to open the innings in the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Last year, Aaron Finch was the 2nd opener of the franchise, however, he disappointed the management which led them to release him from the squad. Virat Kohli has been very effective as an opener in the league. In the 2016 season, he scored 973 runs as an opener.
3. Mohammed Azharuddin: It will be unfair if Kerala batsman plays at no.6 or no.7. Mohammed Azharuddin is a proper top-order batsman and as opening slots are already booked, management needs to back him at no.3 position. Franchise bought the aggressive batsman at auction on his base price. His innings of 137 off 54 balls against Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy helped him getting an IPL contract.
4. AB de Villiers: If we make RCB best playing 11 for IPL 2021 and there is no AB de Villiers in it then it’s not the best 11 at all. The former South African skipper has been the backbone of Bangalore’s middle order. He will continue batting at no.4 position. The 37-year old can accelerate the innings at any moment. AB de Villiers is currently the first choice for wicket-keeper at RCB.
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5. Glenn Maxwell: Royal Challengers Bangalore should not repeat the mistake which Punjab Kings made. The Punjab franchise played Maxwell more as a spin-bowling all-rounder. RCB has spent 14 crore on the Aussie and it will be waste of money if they don’t play him at no.5 position. Maxwell possessed power-hitting abilities, however, he needs some deliveries for finding his feet.
6. Washington Sundar: Tamilnadu all-rounder has been a regular member of RCB and is once again making it to the best playing 11 of the team in 2021. Sundar can bowl economical overs and many times Virat Kohli gives him new ball which turns effective. Also, when getting an opportunity, the southpaw can play useful knocks.
Bowling Department of RCB
7. Daniel Sams: RCB had traded Sams from Delhi Capitals. In UAE grounds Sams was not that much effective but India pitches may serve him better. There will be conflict of picking the best between Daniel Sams and Dan Christian in RCB playing 11 for IPL 2021. However, Sams will be the first choice as pace bowling all-rounder.
8. Kyle Jamieson: Royal Challengers Bangalore has paid whopping 15 crore rupees for the Kiwi pacer. The 7 feet 8 inches long bowler gets a good bouncer. Also he has an ability to move the ball both ways. Playing him in the 11 will give extra strength to team’s batting. Gautam Gambhir had compared Jamieson’s hitting power with Andre Russell.
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9. Yuzvendra Chahal: When pacer fails, Yuzvendra Chahal strikes. Chahal has been RCB’s best wicket-taker in last 5 years. Adam Zampa is not as much as effective Chahal so he will be back-up. This year Virat Kohli-led side will not play at Chinnaswamy, Bangalore which is a short ground, so RCB spinners’ economy going to get better.
10. Mohammad Siraj: The performance of Hyderabad-born pacer in last season earned him a test call-up. Siraj has improved his pace and now bowling with a better line length. Siraj is more effective with new ball so Virat Kohli may give him 2 or 3 overs during the power play.
11. Navdeep Saini: Saini who is known for his pace is not having a great cricket season so far. The pacer made his debut in test cricket but his performance was not up to mark. But RCB management needs to back him as it will not take him long to regain his form.