Faf at helm, Kohli to lead batting charge with Patidar: How RCB's strongest possible XI looks like for IPL 2023
IPL 2023: The RCB will begin their campaign in the new edition against Mumbai Indians on April 2, and we take a look at their best possible XI for the season.
With Virat Kohli hitting top form, Faf du Plessis' Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are set to enter the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as one of the top contenders to lift the famous trophy. Regarded as perennial underachievers in the world's richest T20 league, Bangalore have never won an IPL title since the tournament's inception. The Kohli-starrer RCB side bowed out of the IPL 2022 following a defeat to runners-up Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2.
After making it to the business end of domestic cricket's biggest extravaganza, RCB retained their core squad by releasing only four players in the build-up to the IPL 2023 auction. Bangalore released Sherfane Rutherford and traded Jason Behrendorff to Mumbai Indians. The Bangalore-based franchise also parted ways with Luvnith Sisodia, Aneeshwar Gautam and Chama Milind ahead of the auction.
Bangalore acquired the services of Will Jacks (INR 3.2 crore) at the auction. England's Reece Topley was sold to RCB for INR 1.9 crore at the IPL 2023. Bangalore also roped in Himanshu Sharma (INR 20 lakh), Manoj Bhandage (INR 20 lakh), Rajan Kumar (INR 70 lakh), Avinash Singh (INR 60 lakh) and Sonu Yadav (INR 20 lakh) in the lead-up to the new season.
England batter Jacks, who was RCB's costliest buy at the IPL 2023 auction, has been ruled out of the new season due to a muscle injury. The injured Englishman has been replaced by New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell. The Kiwi all-rounder was signed by RCB at his base price of INR 1 crore. Du Plessis' Royal Challengers Bangalore will play Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2023 opener on April 2 (Sunday) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
After ending his century droughts across all formats in the international arena, Kohli will be leading the batting charge of the Bangalore giants at the IPL 2023. RCB's star-studded batting lineup also features captain Du Plessis, domestic stalwart Rajat Patidar, superstar Glenn Maxwell, veteran Dinesh Karthik and power-hitter Mahipal Lomror. While in-form Mohammed Siraj will spearhead the pace attack with Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga is set to look after the spin department with Shahbaz Ahmed.
Lower-order batters Hasaranga and Shahbaz are also capable of providing RCB with a late flourish. Patidar, who smashed an unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Ginats in the IPL eliminator last season, is tipped to further raise his stocks in the upcoming season. Patidar earned his maiden India call-up after a stellar season with RCB last year.
RCB's strongest possible XI for IPL 2023:
Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.
RCB's IPL 2023 squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Finn Allen, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Karn Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Michael Bracewell, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav.
