As the India Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction culminated, the franchises boosted their squad with several new additions. The two-day event saw many bidding wars as all the teams formed a reliable unit for the seasons to come.
Talking about the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the franchise made a strong pool of 22 players, including three retained cricketers. Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj, who were retained ahead of the mega auction, will be sure-shot starters in the playing XI.
Faf Du Plessis was roped in by the Bangalore-based franchise for Rs. 7 crore and is likely to be one half of the opening pair, while Virat Kohli can open along with the South African. Former Rajasthan Royals’ batter Mahipal Lomror can be an ideal number three in the team.
As RCB are without a skipper currently, Glenn Maxwell can fit well into the role while batting at number four for the franchise. Suyash Prabhudessai can come at fifth spot, while Dinesh Karthik is likely to don the wicket-keeping gloves and play as the finisher.
Wanindu Hasaranga will make it to the XI as an all-rounder. The Sri Lankan was RCB’s highest-paid foreigner in the auction. Harshal Patel, who played for the franchise last year, was bought back and is certain to feature in the XI.
Shahbaz Ahmed can be used as a floater and will give RCB another spin bowling option. Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazelwood are likely to be the frontline pacers.
Strongest Playing XI of RCB for IPL 2022
Faf du Plessis
Virat Kohli
Mahipal Lomror
Glenn Maxwell (c)
Suyash Prabhudesai
Dinesh Karthik (wk)
Wanindu Hasaranga
Harshal Patel
Shahbaz Ahmed
Mohammed Siraj
Josh Hazlewood
RCB squad: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Faf du Plessis, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Josh Hazlewood, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Behrendorff, Suyash Prabhudessai, Chama Milind, Aneeshwar Gautam, Karn Sharma, David Willey, Luvnith Sisodia, Siddharth Kaul.