Exclusive: IPL 2023 Best Predicted Playing 11 for Bangalore (RCB)

Virat Kohli’s new form in focus as we look at the confirmed best playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2023.

A completely revived team the Royal Challengers Bangalore had a great season under the able leadership of their debutant Captain Faf du Plessis. After finishing in the top 4 in the points table, RCB went on to defeat Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator before losing to Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.

Come to 2023, they still have one of the best playing 11s on paper. They have got everything that shall help them conquer the much-coveted IPL trophy for the first time. Be it top-notch openers, a strong middle-order, a great spin combination, and an awesome set of pacers. There seems to be hardly any weakness in their team and playing 11 combinations.

More so, they are one of the only few teams that shall have their playing 11 identical to that of 2022. So, analyzing the squad, let’s look at the confirmed best playing 11 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) shall adopt for IPL 2023. Before that, let’s look at the official squad and players list for RCB for IPL 2023.

IPL 2023 – Official Squad for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Batters: Faf du Plessis (c&o), Rajat Patidar, Suyash Prabhudessai, Virat Kohli & Will Jacks (o)

WKs: Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik & Finn Allen (o)

All-rounders: David Willey (o), Glenn Maxwell (o), Mahipal Lomror, Manoj Bhandage, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sonu Yadav & Wanindu Hasaranga (o)

Bowlers: Akash Deep, Avinash Singh, Harshal Patel, Himanshu Sharma, Josh Hazlewood (o), Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Rajan Kumar, Reece Topley (o) & Siddharth Kaul

Total Players: 25 

Best Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Openers: Faf du Plessis & Virat Kohli 

The Royal Challengers Bangalore, in 2022, finalized the opening combination of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli after giving Anuj Rawat a try. Given that the only other good opener that they have is an overseas option in the form of Finn Allen, RCB shall persist with strong openers, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli.  

Middle-order: Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell & Mahipal Lomror

The middle-order is another area where we should see a similar batting combination. Patidar did a fantastic job as an injury replacement in 2022, so he should continue at number 3. Whereas Big show Glenn Maxwell should continue to play at the number 4 position. The only debatable selection could be of Mahipal Lomror. RCB do have a few options like Suyash Prabhudessai, Manoj Bhandage, and Sonu Yadav. But of the four batters, Mahipal Lomror seems the best bet.

Finishers: Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed & Wanindu Hasaranga

Coming to the finishers in the team, RCB shall once again rely on Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Karthik and Shahbaz did a good job as finishers in 2022, and they shall once again take the lead in 223. Shahbaz is a good off-spin bowler, and having been with the Indian team, he would have only improved.  

In addition, Wanindu Hasaranga’s leg-spin will be extremely handy in Bangalore and other spin-friendly pitches like Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. Also, Hasaranga can act as a pitch hitter, and can hit long. RCB would be hoping for Hasaranga to come good in a few matches as a batter. 

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

Coming to the bowlers, and mostly pace bowlers, the combination is one of the best alongside Punjab Kings. RCB have the World number 1 T20I pacer, Josh Hazlewood and World number 1 ODI bowler, Mohammed Siraj in their ranks. With their powerful support, Harshal can come in handy in middle and death overs.   

IPL 2023 Confirmed Best Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): 

Faf du Plessis [c], Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik [wk], Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

So, that’s about the confirmed best playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2023. It certainly seems to be almost aligned with their strongest 2022 playing 11, although with players being in better form. Other than the one mentioned above, here are the playing 11 combinations that RCB can look at for IPL 2023. 

Alternate Best Playing 11 Options for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

#1: Suyash Prabhudessai for Mahipal Lomror

If there’s one debatable name in the best playing 11 for RCB that can be replaced, it is Mahipal Lomror. Lomror isn’t a big name in IPL or the domestic circuit. Hence, if deemed necessary, RCB can think of playing an attacking option in the form of Suyash Prabhusessai. Suyash didn’t have a good IPL 2022, but given his hitting range, he can surely be given another try with some experience under his belt.

#2: Backup for Overseas Players

If we see the current setup of RCB, except for Faf du Plessis, who is their captain and available for all the matches, there could be a scenario where the other three overseas players could miss a few matches. Hence, as their backups, we have Will Jacks for Glenn Maxwell, David Willey for Wanindu Hasaranga, and Reece Topley for Josh Hazlewood. 

#3: Akash Deep for Mahipal Lomror for Pace-friendly Pitches

If we look at the current strongest playing 11 of RCB, there are only three frontline pacers. But there may be a need for RCB to have another pacer in the squad. In such a scenario, Wanindu Hasaranga will play to play the dedicated role of an all-rounder at 7, and pacer Akash Deep can come in for Mahipal Lomror. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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