Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had their strategy in the IPL 2024 auction where they added six players to their squad. Despite adding six players, they missed out on adding a reputed spinner to their ranks.
Bowling continues to be the talking point for RCB who released Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Josh Hazlewood the trio that took most of the wickets in the last two seasons. Mohammed Siraj is the only Indian pacer of reputation.
While their top five looks sorted with Dinesh Karthik as the specialist keeper at seven, the rest of the slots are open for debate and likely to be filled by the players who fit the bill.
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The lack of spinners continues to be a major concern for RCB who by far as per experts had the worst auction among all the teams. Despite having over 23 crores in their purse they failed to buy a good Indian or overseas spinner for that matter.
RCB Playing 11 for IPL 2024
Faf du Plessis (C)
Photo by Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for IPL
Faf will open the batting for RCB. He ended as the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2023 having scored 730 runs in 14 matches. Faf will need to have another good season with the bat as he is one of their top-order batters.
Virat Kohli
Kohli will open the batting for RCB. He will head into IPL 2023 with some prime form having broken all sorts of batting records. Kohli top-scored in the World Cup and also scored his 50th ODI ton in the tournament.
Rajat Patidar
Patidar will slot in at three. He missed IPL 2023 with injury concerns and scored 333 runs at an average of 55.50 in IPL 2022. He recently made his India debut as well.
Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell will bat at four. He has been a revelation since joining RCB. He scored 513 runs in IPL 2021, the last time when RCB made it to the playoffs. Maxwell will also be one of the two specialist spinners.
Cameron Green
Cameron Green is the specialist all-rounder in this RCB XI. He was earlier traded from Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. RCB sees his promising future with the franchise. Green was part of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad
Suyash Prabhudessai
Prabhudessai can slot in at six. He is a brilliant fielder as he displayed his skills last season and can tonk the ball down the order. He needs to make the most of his opportunities.
Dinesh Karthik (WK)
Karthik will slot in at seven and play as the specialist finisher in the side. He last played international cricket in the T20 World Cup 2022 and played last in IPL 2023. He has a career strike rate of 132.71.
Karn Sharma
Karn Sharma is the specialist leg spinner in the XI. He has played for a host of teams including MI, CSK, SRH, and now RCB. He took 10 wickets in seven matches last season.
Lockie Ferguson
Ferguson can straightaway come into the XI as one of the three specialist pacers. He played in GT in IPL 2022 and with KKR in IPL 2023 but could not do much. RCB is his fourth IPL team.
Alzarri Joseph
Joseph was bagged by RCB for 11. 50 crores Joseph played for the Titans in IPL 2022 and 2023 and could not make much of an impact. Joseph’s pace might just help him at the Chinnaswamy wicket.
Reece Topley
Topley concludes RCB’s likely strongest playing XI for IPL 2024. The England pacer missed the second half of IPL 2023 with a finger injury and missed the second half of the World Cup as well.
Impact Sub: Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal can be used as the impact sib. The southpaw played his maiden IPL season with Gujarat Titans and was released after just one season. RCB roped him in for 5 crores. Dayal is remembered for being hit for five consecutive sixes by Rinku Singh in IPL 2023.
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