IPL: What could be RCB's playing XI against CSK?
What's the story
As the IPL 2019 is all set to kick-off, the teams have started formulating their strategy including what could be their ideal playing XI this term.
While all the teams would be looked forward to, one of the franchises, which has a bigger fan base, is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Here we analyze the playing XI of RCB against CSK for the opener.
Top-order
Kohli, AB de Villiers to headline top-order
It is still not clear who would open the innings for RCB.
As of now, there are two options, Kohli opening with Parthiv Patel or Guyana superstar Shimron Hetmyer getting a nod along with Proteas superstar AB de Villiers.
Irrespective of which pair gets the nod, both Kohli and AB de Villiers are set to headline the top-order.
Middle-order
Moeen Ali and Shivam Dube can dominate middle-order
Depending on the opening combination, Hetmyer or Patel will start the middle-order.
The next person in middle-order would be English all-rounder Moeen Ali, who has been in good form of late.
Finally, last term, the Bangalore franchise didn't have a genuine finisher but with the acquisition of Shivam Dube, they have solved this issue. He can be the X-factor this season.
Bowling attack
Tim Southee, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav could influence bowling attack
The bowling would be headlined by the New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, who is also a handy batsman at the death.
He should be followed by Yuzvendra Chahal, who can dominate any batsman with his spin.
The attack should also consist of Indian pacer Umesh Yadav, and it could also have Mohammed Siraj as a pacer.
Predicted playing XI
A star-studded RCB with world's best batsmen
As we analyzed above, a start-studded possible playing XI awaits for RCB, including the two most destructive batsmen in the world and one of the classiest spinners:
Top-order: Virat Kohli (captain), Parthiv Patel (wicket-keeper) and AB de Villiers
Middle-order: Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh Mann.
Bowling attack: Tim Southee, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
RCB's schedule
RCB open proceedings against defending champions Chennai Super Kings
Following is the schedule of RCB in IPL 2019:
March 23: vs Chennai Super Kings in Chennai (8 PM)
March 28: vs Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru (8 PM)
March 31: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad (4 PM)
April 2: vs Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur (8 PM)
April 5: vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru (8 PM)
Note: Complete schedule is yet to be announced.