IPL 2018: Royal Challengers Bangalore squad analysis
Arguably the most flamboyant franchise of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have struggled in their previous attempts to win the coveted trophy. One of the main reasons has been the lack of depth, variety and experience, especially in their seam bowling department, which has often let them down and cost them their must-win matches.
The RCB, like always, are a batting-heavy side this season, but have invested faith in pace bowlers like Tim Southee, Nathan Coulter-Nile (8 matches, 15 wickets in IPL 2017), Chris Woakes (91 runs and 8 wickets in 8 T20Is), Umesh Yadav (94 wickets in 91 IPL matches) and Mohammed Siraj (10 wickets in 6 IPL matches).
From the domestic circuit, RCB has picked up the likes of Navdeep Saini (13 wickets in 14 T20s) and Kulwant Khejroliya (14 wickets in 10 T20s,), who have been pretty impressive in the domestic season. It is fair to say that the pace department looks quite decent ahead of the season, given the players perform to their potential.
Ahead of the auctions, the franchise retained the not-so-difficult choices in Indian skipper Virat Kohli and South African great AB de Villiers, but their decision of retaining Sarfaraz Khan left the cricketing world in splits.
With Yuzvendra Chahal spearheading the spin department, the bowling unit also seems to have the edge. The duo of Mandeep Singh and Manan Vohra from domestic cricket can also make a mark. Vohra (229 runs at a strike rate of over 144 in IPL 2017) for instance, has played some commendable knocks playing for the Kings XI Punjab.
With Brendon McCullum in the squad, the RCB will try to break the jinx this time around and finally win the title for their fans under Virat’s inspiring leadership.
The RCB play their first match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8th 2018 at the iconic Eden Gardens.
Squad: Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz Khan, Brendon McCullum, Chris Woakes, Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manan Vohra, Kulwant Kejroliya, Aniket Choudhary, Navdeep Saini, Murugan Ashwin, Mandeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi, Mohammed Siraj, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aniruddha Joshi