Royal Challengers Bangalore will open their IPL 2023 campaign against Mumbai Indians at their home ground of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 2nd April. RCB had roped in players like Avinash Singh, Himanshu Sharma, and Reece Topley in the IPL 2023 auction.
The franchise had also bought Will Jacks in the mini-auction but he has been ruled out with an injury and Michael Bracewell has been named as a replacement.
Meanwhile, RCB had a good run in the previous season but their journey was put paid by Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier. RCB will want to replicate the same good show and go all the way in the upcoming season.
Strengths: RCB’s strength has always been their batting but with fast bowlers like Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, David Willey, and Reece Topley in their ranks, there is no denying the fact their pace battery is one of the best in the tournament. RCB also have a potent batting unit as they have batters like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Maxwell, and Rajat Patidar.
Weaknesses: RCB have Wanindu Hasaranga as their lead spinner but the second spinner could be an issue. Shahbaz Ahmed had done a good job in the previous season and it will be crucial for RCB that he hits the straps. RCB also hasn’t yet won a trophy so far and it will be about winning the crunch situations.
RCB PROBABLE PLAYING XI: 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 IPL 2023 SQUAD
Wicketkeepers: Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik.
Batters: Faf du Plessis (SA), Finn Allen (NZ), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks (ENG).
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell (AUS), Shahbaz Ahmed, Sonu Yadav, Manoj Bhandage.
Bowlers: Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood (AUS), Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Karn Sharma, David Willey (ENG), Avinash Singh, Rajan Kumar, Reece Topley (ENG), Himanshu Sharma.
