IPL 2021: Probable Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Playing XI For UAE Leg

Is this finally the season for Royal Challengers Bangalore to go all the way? Well, they have had a couple of very promising seasons in the last five editions, most notable ones being 2016 and 2020, where they seemingly had done everything right until the Sunrisers Hyderabad stomped in their way, on both occasions. However, this time, their squad looks pumped like never before.

Having registered five wins in seven games, they are on the brink of confirming their place in the playoffs, but having gotten such a good start, they would want to eye for a place in the top two. They have witnessed some big performances coming from Glenn Maxwell and Harshal Patel, the latter is currently the purple cap owner by some distance.

RCB have managed to dish out crucial knockout punches under pressure to their opponents, making them a side to be wary of. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers will once again hog all limelight among batters, but the likes of Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, and the first-ever Singaporean in IPL, Tim David, can prove to be the surprise packages.

Royal Challengers Bangalore squad changes for the second leg of IPL 2021

OUT: Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams, Finn Allen, Kane Richardson, Washington Sundar

IN: Wanidu Hasaranga, Dushmanta Chameera, Tim David, George Garton, Akash Deep

Current RCB Squad: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Yuzvendra Chahal, Devdutt Padikkal, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pavan Deshpande, Glenn Maxwell, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Kyle Jamieson, Dan Christian, Suyesh Prabhudessai, KS Bharat, Tim David, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga

RCB Probable Playing XI: Virat Kohli (C), Devdutt Padikkal, AB de Villiers (wk), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Harshal Patel, Wanidu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI Composition

Batsmen – Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Rajat Patidar

Despite scoring just 198 runs in the first seven knocks, the expectation around Virat Kohli will continue to remain very high. He collected some good starts in England but failed to capitalize on a big score. Padikkal made his international debut in Sri Lanka and although there wasn’t much to judge him in that series, he continues to be a pivotal presence at the top order.

Tim David is a handy customer at number 5 or 6, who can tonk the ball hard from the get-go. He scored 282 runs in the CPL and finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament. Rajat Patidar showed a few glimpses of his brilliance in the first half and might get a few chances at the start of the second half.

Wicket-keeper – AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers smashed a century in the practice game for RCB in UAE, hitting 10 sixes in the process. Before the abrupt pause to the tournament, the South African superstar had scored 207 runs at an average north of 50 and strike rate at his usual standards, 164.29. There might be a dip in that strike rate considering the slowness of these UAE conditions, but ABD will have a big role to play if RCB were to finish with silverwear.

All-rounders – Glenn Maxwell (spin), Wanidu Hasaranga (Spin), Harshal Patel (pace)

Much to everyone’s surprise, Glenn Maxwell is RCB’s highest run-scorer up until now, having scored 223 runs at a strike rate of 144. His approach looks a lot matured, and his presence is turning out to be very assuring for the Royal Challengers in the middle order.

In-form Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanidu Hasaranga is being touted as one of the best picks this season and his great recent form will amplify the management’s confidence to play him straight away. Harshal Patel is the purple cap holder as it stands and with 17 wickets to his credit already, he is eyeing IPL’s all-time record of 32 wickets, owned by Dwayne Bravo.

Bowlers – Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal

Mohammed Siraj is having the time of his life, having produced some magical spells in England. Missing out from the T20 World Cup squad will be a major bummer for Yuzvendra Chahal, but he will be keen on proving a point to the selectors with his bowling. Navdeep Saini will be their key bowler at the death alongside Harshal Patel, and he might have to bowl a couple with the new ball as well.