Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were one of the strongest teams last season, but were knocked out in the playoffs. RCB will be more than determined to come out all guns blazing in 2016, and win their first IPL.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have some incredible players in their team for IPL 2016. They retained most of the players from last season, including Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Adam Milne and Varun Aaron. RCB signed some key players such as Kane Richardson, Shane Watson and Travis Head during the auction in February to become a formidable side in the competition.
With such strong players in their squad, RCB are going to be the team to beat in IPL 2016.
Here is a complete look at their squad
Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen: It goes without saying RCB have three the best T20 batsmen in world cricket — Kohli, Gayle and de Villiers. The trio was instrumental last season with the willow, and is expected to play a similar role in 2016. With Gayle and Kohli set to open the innings, they can take the attack to any opposition and wreak havoc. De Villiers, who comes first down, also plays an aggressive game, which suits RCB. However, they will also look into players such as Sarfaraz Khan and Mandeep Singh to get into the act and score runs for RCB.
Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers: Though Mitchell Starc is ruled out of IPL 2016 and Samuel Badree's participation is under cloud with the player sustaining an elbow injury in the World T20 final, RCB have plenty of firepower in their bowling attack. Kane Richardson and Adam Milne are going to play a key role in IPL 2016 with their pace bowling, while Sreenath Arvind and Varun Aaron expected to provide them massive support. With spinners having played an important role in the IPL, RCB have two decent ones in Yuzvendra Chahal and Iqbal Abdullah, who can make good use of the turning tracks in India.
Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounders: Though RCB already had David Wiese as an all-rounder in their squad, they felt the need of a top-class all-rounder and went all out during the February auction to sign Shane Watson. Watson has been one of the best all-rounders in the IPL since the first edition, scoring 2,372 runs and taking 61 wickets. With Watson in their squad, they have added firepower in their already existing solid batting line-up. RCB will also want him to shine with the ball and help others in the team with his experience. Stuart Binny is another all-rounder who will be key for RCB this season. RCB will hope he delivers with his gentle medium pace, besides his batting.
Royal Challengers Bangalore wicket-keeper: RCB have an array of options as far as glovemen are concerned. They have three wicketkeepers — AB de Villiers, Travis Head and Kedar Jadhav — but it remains to be seen who will get the nod. AB is sure to play, but could be used as a fielder. Playing Head means another foreign player for RCB, which could be tricky with some key overseas stars in RCB. They might be tempted to start with Jadhav for the first few matches, and Head could come into the side if their foreign players fail to deliver, as the Australian is a wonderful hitter of the cricket ball. Head was picked by RCB during the IPL 2016 Player Auction in February.
Overall, RCB have a strong squad, with some amazing international stars, who can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs. If their players shine this season, they are going to be serious contenders for the title. Despite a number of foreign stars, other Indian players in the team also need to chip in with both the bat and ball.
Royal Challengers Bangalore complete squad
Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villers, David Wiese, Adam Milne, Chris Gayle, Abu Nechim Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Sreenath Arvind, Varun Aaron, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, Kane Richardson, Travis Head, Samuel Badree, Praveen Dubey, Vikramjeet Malik, Akshay Karnewar, Vikas Tokas, Iqbal Abdullah, Sachin Baby.
