IPL 2022 Special: Best Predicted First-choice Playing 11 for RCB

A new leader, the key focus as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2022.

For the first time since 2013, the Royal Challengers Bangalore shall be without their longest-running captain, Virat Kohli. The former Indian captain had tender his resignation as a captain of RCB alongside also announcing his resignation as a captain of the Indian T20I Team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021. It was an emotional moment for fans, who have been attached to Kohli’s leadership for almost a decade.

But, as a happy news as seen in the RCB Unbox event on March 12th, Faf du Plessis was announced as their new captain for IPL 2022. The former CSK player and Proteas captain has been in the stunning form off late while playing for CSK. Under his able leadership, RCB would be eyeing their first-ever title victory having finished as runner-up on 3 occasions.

Meanwhile, the team would be without their star overseas batter, Ab de Villiers. The proteas batter had announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket last year, which resulted in a lot of disappointment in fans’ eyes. In addition, RCB failed to retain a lot of their good performing players like Devdutt Padikkal, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, etc. 

From the team standpoint, RCB had retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj. While they did let go a lot of their good players, the team was able to revamp the squad with a lot of new names. Some of the key players that RCB acquired include Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Faf du Plessis, Josh Hazlewood, Dinesh Karthik, and many more. 

So, with the kind of squad RCB have assembled, let’s look at the best predicted playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2022? Before that, let’s also look at the complete squad of RCB. Also, please note, the playing 11 is selected keeping 4-5 batters, minimum 2 all-rounders, 1 wicket-keeper, and minimum 3 pacers in mind.

IPL 2022 Final Squad for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Batters and WKs: Faf du Plessis, Suyash Prabhudessai, Virat Kohli, Anuj Rawat (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Finn Allen (WK), Luvnith Sisodia (WK)

All-rounders: Aneeshwar Gautam, David Willey, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford & Wanindu Hasaranga

Bowlers: Akash Deep, Chama Milind, Harshal Patel, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, Siddharth Kaul & Karn Sharma

Meanwhile, according to Betway, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians start as favourites outright winners. Their odds are placed at 6.0. Punjab Kings are placed second at 7.5. CSK and RCB are placed third with 8.0. KKR and RR are placed fourth with odds at 9.0. Meanwhile, LSG, GT, and SRH follow them with 11.0, 15.0, and 17.0 respectively. 

Openers: Faf du Plessis (C) & Anuj Rawat

Royal Challengers Bangalore would embrace a completely new opening pair in 2022. In 2020 and 2021, RCB had Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli opening for them. The pair was quite effective, but come to 2022, their new captain, Faf du Plessis, who has been mighty impressive for CSK in the last couple of years shall lead from the front.  

The second opener shall be a choice between Virat Kohli and Anuj Rawat. Virat Kohli wouldn’t mind playing as an opener alongside Faf du Plessis, but with the experience of Faf already there, Anuj Rawat will be more effective as an opener. He can play with freedom just like what Ruturaj had done for CSK. Moreover, Kohli as we know would be more effective in his natural best position, 1 down. 

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell & Mahipal Lomror

With Virat Kohli at 3 and Glenn Maxwell at 4, the middle-order seems quite sorted for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Maxwell can once again be their trump card as was he last year. He can once again play a similar role for the team. In addition, unlike last year, Maxi has a reliable lower middle-order with Lomror, Karthik, and others to follow. 

Mahipal Lomror at number 5 is an interesting add-on. He did decent playing for RR in 2021 and before. He can adapt his game to play consolidation or aggressive depending on the situation –  although Lomror is naturally aggressive. Moreover, Lomror can also be an effective part-time bowler with his slow left-arm spin. 

Finishers: Dinesh Karthik, Wanindu Hasaranga & Shahbaz Ahmad

Coming to the finishers, the first name that will be the focal point is Dinesh Karthik. The former KKR player is back to the franchise that was once his home for a few years. Not only will Dinesh Karthik donn the wicket-keeping duties but he shall also be playing as a finisher of the squad. Meanwhile, the bowling all-rounders, Wanindu Hasaranga and Shahbaz Ahmad shall play an important role at 7 and 8 respectively. 

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

Talking about pace bowling, RCB seem to have a potent bowling attack. Josh Hazlewood and Mohammed Siraj shall be their powerplay and death overs bowlers. Both focus on swing and accuracy a lot, and that can be a pleasing sight on Wankhede pitches. Meanwhile, Purple Patel shall be looking to build on his record-breaking tally of 32 wickets in the 2021 edition. 

The bowling combination gives them 12 overs of pace and 8 overs of spin. While Hasaranga is almost certain to play, the RCB management can think of playing an extra pacer for Shahbaz Ahmad to get more firepower in the pace bowling. The good options available for them include Siddharth Kaul and Akash Deep. 

Strongest Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2022:

Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmad, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

So, that completes the best predicted playing 11 for RCB IPL 2022. RCB seem to have a good squad on paper. With proper leadership and some luck, the team, can they finally say ‘Ee sala cup Namde’? . Meanwhile, barring the above-mentioned best playing 11, Royal Challengers Bangalore can also look at the following combinations. 

Other Playing 11 Options for Royal Challengers Bangalore:

• Akash Deep or Siddharth Kaul for Shahbaz Ahmad for pace-friendly pitches
• Sherfane Rutherford or David Willey for Wanindu Hasaranga to add more firepower in the pace bowling. 
• Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli to open with Lomror at 3, Maxwell at 4, Karthik at 5, and S Prabhudessai at 6.

Alternate Best Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2022:

Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj & Siddharth Kaul.

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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