- Name: Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Captain: Faf du Plessis
- Head Coach: Sanjay Bangar
- Squad members: 22 players (3 retained)
- Best result: Runners-up in IPL 2009, 2011, 2016
- IPL 2021 result: 3rd in points table
Every year we ask ourselves whether this will be the year for the Royal Challengers Bangalore?! It’s been fourteen editions of the IPL now and we’re really tired of asking this question. Having said that, the franchise has done everything right ahead of the IPL 2022 season, including naming a new and experienced captain (who is also in good form), making good (and not just expensive) buys at the auction, and also having the best (hands down) jersey of IPL 2022!
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Before the IPL 2022 Auction, they retained only three players in former captain Virat Kohli, the big Aussie all-rounder who played a record-breaking IPL 2021 season in Glenn Maxwell, and young Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj. Given his poor run over the last couple of years, we won’t comment on Kohli’s contribution to the side but we know that Maxi will continue to play the fearless game he played last season, and we’re thankful he wasn’t handed over the burden of captaincy.
Talking about captaincy, it was given to South Africa’s Faf du Plessis and many people argue that he’s old and is going to be 38 years old this year. However, he played a big role in CSK winning the IPL 2021 trophy and is one of the fittest men going around in world cricket. Remember, he was only second to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the Orange Cap list for last season and given his experience in world T20 franchise leagues, he’s sure to do well as the new captain.
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Since we’re on the topic of experience in franchise leagues, there’s Wanindu Hasaranga who is probably the only Sri Lankan in IPL 2022. He’s been playing every league possible, whether T10 or T20 or even international cricket, and he’s been doing well in all of these. And his confidence of picking wickets has shown in his game in the field and he’s also a good hitter when given the chance. We’re backing him to be RCB’s top bowler in IPL 2022.
Harshal Patel was their top bowler in IPL 2021 and in fact won the Purple Cap award. He’s purchased for 11+ Crore in the IPL 2022 Auction and we think all of that money is worth it. RCB has a record of making big spends in IPL Auctions and those not paying back but we think both these big buys will help them in IPL 2022. After his last season exploits, Harshal also now has some more confidence with international experience under his belt.
They’ve always been over reliant on the likes of Kohli and AB de Villiers, the latter by the way now retired from all forms of the game. However, the scales are different now with a few experienced players like Faf and Maxwell in the middle order. Dinesh Karthik is also one of the best finishers in the T20 game and while he’s had a few quiet seasons, we think he will prosper in this team in IPL 2022.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – IPL 2022 Betting
With Maxwell, Faf and Hasaranga having booked three overseas slots for sure, it’ll be interesting to see if RCB want an added batsman or bowler from the overseas lot. They have Finn Allen and Sherfane Rutherford if they want a batter, but they’re likely to have Australia’s Josh Hazlewood as the fourth overseas pick. They’re a very strong bet to be IPL 2022 winner at pre-tournament odds of 8.0 with Betway.
🌟 with the bat, 🌟 with the ball. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #Mission2022 pic.twitter.com/YIAzjDxZ9T
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 19, 2022
For the first time, RCB don’t look too weak in the bowling department. There’s Jason Behrendorff and David Willey to replace Hazlewood in case there’s the need and they also bought back spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed. Kohli’s U-19 World Cup winning teammate Siddarth Kaul is now a part of the squad and we think he’ll be played to his full potential here. Remember, he’s a brilliant death overs bowler!
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2022 squad: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Faf du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Jason Behrendorff, Karn Sharma, David Willey, Siddarth Kaul, Chama Milind, Mahipal Lomror, Sherfane Rutherford, Finn Allen, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Suyash Prabhudesai, Luvnith Sisodia, Aneeshwar Gautam.
For more updates on the progress of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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