Royal Challengers Bangalore, the glamour boys of IPL, every season you talk of RCB and say wow! What a line-up but still they haven't been able to win an IPL title yet. Three-time finalist and coming really close to winning IPL in 2016, can they break the jinx this time?
One of the strongest team on paper this IPL, RCB have a star-studded squad with the likes of Virat Kohli, AB Devilliers, Shane Watson, Chris Gayle and newly inducted Tymal Mills, RCB had their best chance of lifting the IPL trophy last year in Season 9.
After performing exceptionally well throughout the season 9, they fell short of one win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals.
Although, there have been a few jerks right before the start of this year's journey with a number of injury woes in the side. Apart from explosive batsman KL Rahul who has been ruled out for the complete season, Skipper Virat Kohli, AB Devilliers and young 19-year-old Sarfaraz Khan will stay in the dug-out for the initial phase of Season 10.
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So can they win it this year? Well for the start they have got the best six players of the game with a better and more fierce bowling line-up than last year. Also, they would like to capitalise new players they have bought in the latest IPL auction.
Let's look at Royal Challengers Bangalore’s squad for IPL 10:
# Key Players
Like always, RCB's strength has been a good start. So for building team's innings, openers have to perform. With the big gun like Chris Gayle, RCB can firepower their start. In the absence of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, Shane Watson might open for first few matches.
In the middle order, star batsman AB Devillers will provide backbone support to the team with equal support from Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jhadav.
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All-rounder Shane Watson needs to repeat the explosive for which he was known at his previous team Rajasthan Royals.
Bowlers would also like to buck up their contribution with the tight attack at the start and an economical spell at the death. Tymal Miss would be crucial to spearhead the pace attack, while a lot of responsibility would be on young Yuzvendra Chahal's shoulders to provide regular breakthroughs at crucial intervals.
# Strength
One of the best batting units with Gayle, Kohli, De Villiers and Watson, RCB looks the most formidable side with a perfect balance of foreign and domestic players.
# Weakness
Bowling has been the main concern for RCB. With some ordinary bowling last year, RCB struggled in defending big totals. Without the presence of Mitchell Starc and a consistent Indian bowler, the Bangalore has to live up to the expectations to clinch the title this time.
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# Prediction
Right now, RCB is a depleted team with a lot of injury issues, but still, their explosive batting can destroy any team in the IPL. With a reinforced bowling attack, RCB looks good to put up a decent show.
But as always, what will be more crucial more RCB is consistency. They have to hold up tight as a unit at crunch moments and will have to perform collectively.
# Full squad:
Virat Kohli (captain), AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Kedar Jadhav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, Samuel Badree, Iqbal Abdulla, Travis Head, Sachin Baby, Avesh Khan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Pawan Negi, Tymal Mills, Aniket Choudhary, Praveen Dubey, Billy Stanlake, Harshal Patel, Mandeep Singh, Adam Milne, Sarfaraz Khan, S Aravind.
Head Coach: Daniel Vettori
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# Big purchases at IPL 2017 auction:
Tymal Mills (Rs 12 crore), Aniket Choudhary (Rs 2 crore), Pawan Negi (Rs 1 crore)
# Past performances in IPL
2016 - Runners-up; 2015 - third place; 2014 - seventh place; 2013 - fifth place; 2012 - fifth place; 2011 - runners-up; 2010 - third place; 2009 - runners-up; 2008 - seventh place.
Fixtures:
April 5 SRH (away); April 8 v DD (home); April 10 v KXIP (away); April 14 v MI (home); April 16 v RPS (home); April 18 v GL (away); April 23 v KKR (away); April 25 v SRH (home); April 27 v GL (home); April 29 v RPS (away); May 1 v MI (away); May 5 v KXIP (home); May 7 KKR (home); May 14 v DD (away).
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RCB: Team composition
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