IPL 2016: Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted XI

Royal Challengers Bangalore have often had the strongest team on paper but are yet to be crowned champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

According to many, the Virat Kohli-led side enter IPL 2016 as favourites after they added the likes of Shane Watson, Samuel Badree etc. to their squad ahead of the new season. The absence of Mitchell Starc will be felt, but they have decent options to cover for the Australian left-arm fast bowler.

The Bangalore-based franchise have a better balanced team this season after adding a few all-rounders to their squad and will be hopeful of finally breaking the jinx.

Chris Gayle

The West Indian opener, who was an integral part of the West Indies team that won the ICC World T20, is expected to play a big part for the Royal Challengers yet again. A two-time Orange Cap winner with the men in Red and Gold, he will be expected to get the team off to good starts like he has before.

After a poor season in 2014, Chris Gayle was back to his old-self last season, scoring 491 runs at an average of over 40. The team from Bangalore will be expecting him to even better those numbers in 2016.

IPL career: 82 matches, 3199 runs, 16 wickets