Strongest RCB Playing11 for IPL 2021: The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB’s) search for their first-ever IPL title will begin shortly as the second phase of the Indian Premier League begins on 19th September. Despite having a star-studded squad, the franchise has managed to slide down more often than not in the points table. The beginning of the IPL 2021 brought a glimmer of hope for the team to lift the title and fill its barren cabinet with coveted trophy, however, the hopes didn’t last long as the tournament was postponed soon after all the teams completed their first seven matches.
The BCCI again scheduled the cash-rich Indian T20 League in the UAE and the opener will be played between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
RCB will once again brace themselves up to take giant strides in the IPL 2021 phase 2. The first phase for the franchise was fruitful where Virat Kohli and Co ended third in the points table with five wins out of seven matches.
The second phase will be a deciding factor for RCB’s success in IPL 2021 and will decide the fate. Ahead of phase two, the franchise went through a few lows as a couple of players pulled back, however, the franchise was quick enough to rope in quality replacements.
The article down below will take you through the strong possible playing11 for RCB in phase 2 of the IPL 2021.
Strongest RCB Playing11 for IPL 2021 phase 2:
Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli: Openers
For Bangalore, the combination of southpaw Devdutt Padikkal and skipper Virat Kohli has been profitable and the duo has done enormously well in the given chances. Padikkal was brilliant in his debut season last year which was in the UAE. RCB will hope the southpaw continues his run and pick his pace from where he left in the last season. On the other side, his skipper Virat Kohli has all boxes ticked. Though he struggled a bit in few initial matches, he came back into form with a match-winning knock. Moreover, Kohli returned back to the form in the recent test series which to some point indicates his good touch and the skipper will look to have that touch with him.
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Strongest RCB Playing11 for IPL 2021 phase 2 matches
Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers: Middle Order
Rajat Patidar should be backed at number three. The cricketer will give stabilisation to the team during an opening collapse. Patidar showed some flashes of his class during the final few matches, however, a big knock from him is awaited. He can be shuffled up and down as per the team requirement.
Glenn Maxwell is at number four for RCB. The Australian all-rounder played a key role in RCB’s early success in the IPL 2021. He scored 223 runs from seven innings at a strike rate of 144.80.
Wicketkeeper batsman AB de Villiers positioned at five. The franchise acquired some new tactics to push Mr 360 a little back to support the lower middle order in the death overs. The daunting cricketer plundered a few match-saving knocks in the first phase. His innings against Mumbai Indians in phase one will be remembered for a long time.
RCB will have the liberty to re-arrange the three middle-order batters as per the need of the hour. The latter two can be pushed if the openers did their job well and there is a need for a big hitter while Rajat can be introduced if there is a mini-collapse to stabilize the innings.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed: All rounders
RCB recently roped in Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga after his heroics against India in the limited-overs series. The cricketer was brilliant with the bat and so was with the ball. While Shahbaz Ahmed will be played as another all-rounder.
RCB will miss the services of Washington Sundar. The all-rounder was earlier ruled out of the entire tournament due to his share of injury. Ahmed will come in his place and will be crucial in spin-friendly surfaces of UAE.
Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj & Yuzvendra Chahal: Bowlers
The franchise will enjoy the services of speed gun Mohammad Siraj, Harshal Patel and Kyle Jamieson along with senior tweaker Yuzvendra Chahal in the bowling department.
Harshal Patel was exceptional with his death bowling technique in the first phase. Barring one match where he was taken for runs by CSK, he was quite good with his role. He picked up 17 wickets from mere seven matches and is a front runner in the top wicket-takers list.
Mohammad Siraj will trouble the opponents with his sheer pace while Kyle Jamieson will come in handy at the middle overs. The former picked up six wickets while the latter scalped nine wickets in the first phase.
Yuzvendra Chahal was a little dim in the first phase. The spinner hit his low however has promised his comeback in the IPL 2021 phase two. Chahal picked just four wickets at an average of 47.5. He will be important for RCB in the UAE as the surface will itself favour him most of the times.
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