IPL 2022: Possible XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Royal Challengers Bangalore will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against Punjab Kings on March 27. This season RCB will play under their new captain Faf du Plessis since Virat Kohli resigned as RCB captain in September 2021. It was an emotional occasion for supporters who have followed Kohli’s leadership for over a decade.

However, as shown at the RCB Unbox event on March 12th, Faf du Plessis was appointed as the team’s new captain for the IPL 2022. While playing for CSK, the former CSK player and Proteas captain have been in great form. Under his capable guidance, RCB would be aiming for their first-ever title triumph after becoming the runner-up three previous times.

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Meanwhile, the team’s standout foreign batsman, Ab de Villiers, would be absent. Last year, the proteas hitter declared his retirement from all forms of cricket, which caused a lot of sadness among fans. Furthermore, RCB failed to retain several of its top performers, including Devdutt Padikkal, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, and others.

RCB has kept Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj in the team. While they did lose a number of its excellent players, the club was able to rebuild with a lot of fresh faces. Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Faf du Plessis, Josh Hazlewood, Dinesh Karthik, and many other notable players have been acquired by RCB.

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So, given the group RCB has recruited, what is the best anticipated playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022? Before we go there, let’s take a look at the entire RCB team. Please bear in mind that the playing 11 is chosen with 4-5 hitters, at least two all-rounders, one wicket-keeper, and at least three pacers in mind.

RCB squad

Batters and wicket-keepers: Faf du Plessis, Suyash Prabhudessai, Virat Kohli, Anuj Rawat (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Finn Allen (WK), Luvnith Sisodia (WK).

All-rounders: Aneeshwar Gautam, David Willey, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford & Wanindu Hasaranga.

Bowlers: Akash Deep, Chama Milind, Harshal Patel, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, Siddharth Kaul & Karn Sharma.

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Openers:

In 2022, Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a whole new starting pair. RCB had Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli starting for them in 2020 and 2021. The combination was extremely effective, but by 2022, their new captain, Faf du Plessis, who has been quite impressive for CSK in recent years, will be leading from the front.

The second opener will be chosen from among Virat Kohli and Anuj Rawat. Virat Kohli would be happy to play as an opener with Faf du Plessis, but with Faf already in the team, Anuj Rawat will be more successful as an opener. He can play with the same flexibility that Ruturaj did for CSK. Furthermore, as we all know, Kohli would be more successful at his natural best position, 1 down.

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Middle-order:

With Virat Kohli at 3 and Glenn Maxwell at 4, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s middle-order seemed to be set. Maxwell can be their trump card once more, as he was last year. He can take on a similar position for the team once more. Furthermore, unlike last year, Maxi has a dependable bottom middle-order with Lomror, Karthik, and others on the way.

At number 5, Mahipal Lomror is an intriguing addition. He performed admirably for RR in 2021 and before. Lomror is naturally aggressive, although he can alter his style to play consolidation or aggressive depending on the scenario. With his slow left-arm spin, Lomror can potentially be an excellent part-time bowler.

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Finishers:

When it comes to the finishers, the first name that will be highlighted is Dinesh Karthik. The former KKR player has returned to the team that was previously his home for a few years. Dinesh Karthik will not only be the team’s wicketkeeper, but he will also play as a finisher. Meanwhile, bowling all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Shahbaz Ahmad will be crucial at 7 and 8, respectively.

Bowlers:

In terms of pace bowling, RCB appears to have a powerful bowling assault. Their powerplay and death overs bowlers will be Josh Hazlewood and Mohammed Siraj. Both put a lot of emphasis on swing and precision, which can be a welcome sight on Wankhede surfaces. Purple Patel, meanwhile, will try to add to his record-breaking score of 32 wickets in the 2021 edition.

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They get 12 overs of pace and 8 overs of spin with their bowling combination. While Hasaranga is nearly set to participate, the RCB management may consider fielding an extra pacer for Shahbaz Ahmad to increase speed bowling punch. Siddharth Kaul and Akash Deep are two solid choices for them.

Possible XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmad, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj.