Predicted IPL 2022 Squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) officials will step into the stage of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction with the sole intention to bag some of the valuable players, regardless of their stature in international cricket. The franchise would be hoping to see some glorious signs with the next squad to be signed by the franchise.
In the past, RCB has chased the international tag of the players, which hasn’t necessarily yielded fruitful results for them. They acquired Aaron Finch, Kyle Jamieson, Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee and the list goes on and on, however, none of the aforementioned lived up to the expectations and couldn’t justify the price tag associated with them despite having a tag of an international star.
Leaving behind the thought of chasing the star players, RCB would love to acquire quality players who can execute for the team in demanding conditions.
Despite being one of the most influential teams of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has failed to nail a single IPL title. Virat Kohli, the former skipper of the RCB, despite performing blazingly, couldn’t bag an IPL trophy and the franchise would be eager to break the shackles and get their hands on the IPL glory as soon as possible.
Ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, RCB retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammad Siraj as their core group. Kohli has voluntarily stepped down from his captaincy role ahead of the IPL season fifteen and the onus will be on the franchise to name an apt leader of the side, who can complement Virat Kohli’s energy and enthusiasm.
With the remaining purse value of INR 57 crores, RCB would go-ahead to assemble a strong contingent that can provide their services for at least three years. Here in this article, we will take a look at the Predicted IPL 2022 Squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Predicted IPL 2022 Squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
Bangalore left out pacer Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal during the recent player retentions. The franchise experienced enormous success with the skills of Chahal and Harshal Patel. While Chahal has been a regular feature of the side for RCB, Harshal Patel remained the highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2021, equalling the record of Dwayne Bravo of most wickets in an IPL season (32).
RCB will make a strong bid for both Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal during the IPL 2022 Mega Auction.
Batsman – Devdutt Padikkal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Manish Pandey and Steve Smith
Southpaw Devdutt Padikkal was a strong force for RCB in the opening slot. He had a breakthrough season in IPL 2020 where he scored 473 runs from 15 matches. He also bagged the Emerging Player of the Season award for his sensational batting display. RCB might target him as he can be a long term batting option for the team.
As per the reports, RCB has shown its keenness in getting Shreyas Iyer in the squad for the IPL 2022. Though many have claimed that RCB is aiming at Iyer as the potential candidate to lead the side, it won’t be easy to get Iyer’s services as he will be one of the hottest picks during the upcoming player auction.
KS Bharat and Manish Pandey are the two players who can be chosen up cheaply from the auction table. Though both of them aren’t explosive hitters of the white ball but know how to anchor the innings. The duo can form a good middle order for RCB and play long innings.
Steve Smith can be another option for RCB to pick. Smith isn’t going to be expensive either. He played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021 and didn’t get enough opportunity there to express himself. The Aussie is very well known to pace his innings and provide a comfortable cushion to the team at the number 3 or 4.
Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Shami, R Ashwin
As mentioned earlier, RCB would definitely favourably bid for Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, as they have been their premier players in the past.
The three pacers in RCB’s list would be Trent Boult, Mohammad Shami and Kagiso Rabada. For years, RCB had a concern of leaking crucial runs in the death overs, however, the issue can be resolved in the mega auction. While Trent Boult can take charge of the powerplay, Mohammad Shami and Kagiso Rabada are known to bind the batters at the backend of the innings.
None of Boult, Shami and Rabada is going to be comfortable to chase as several IPL teams will also go after them.
RCB might look towards experienced Ravichandran Ashwin as the spin bowling option along with Yuzvendra Chahal. Ashwin will bring necessary stability in the lower middle order in the RCB. Moreover, he can be used in a variety of situations.
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All Rounders – Washington Sundar, Mitchell Marsh, Jason Holder, Vijay Shankar
Washington Sundar was associated with RCB for the last three seasons and proved himself worthy on different occasions. He used to deliver a few overs inside powerplay and also pick wickets there. Along with him, RCB will have the likes of Glenn Maxwell who can be deadly on the given day.
Australian Mitchell Marsh is also a key player who will be in the spotlight during the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. His recent T20I outings have made a hard impact on the IPL franchises targeting overseas all-rounders.
The Caribbean all-rounder Jason Holder will be another choice, who is looked like a potential captaincy candidate. Holder has a healthy experience of leading the West Indies in three different formats. If RCB opts to go with an Indian young all-rounder, Vijay Shankar will be a good choice. Shankar featured for SRH during the last edition of the IPL.
Wicketkeepers – KS Bharat, Robin Uthappa, Mohd Azharuddin
RCB would certainly go after KS Bharat, who kept wickets in IPL 2021. Besides Bharat, veteran cricketer Robin Uthappa and Mohd Azharuddin are the other two capable options for the team in red and black.
Uthappa can be an extremely useful asset for the team in the middle order. His contributions of valuable 31 runs from mere 15 deliveries in the IPL 2021 final will encourage the teams to go after him as a backup wicketkeeper option.
Young Mohammad Azharuddin will be another player who can keep wickets. Azharuddin was with RCB in the IPL 2021, however, didn’t get the opportunity to showcase his batting and wicketkeeping skills.
Down below is our complete predicted IPL 2022 squad for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Complete Squad of RCB in IPL 2022:
Batsman: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Devdutt Padikkal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Manish Pandey and Steve Smith
Wicketkeeper: KS Bharat, Robin Uthappa and Mohd Azharuddin
Bowler: Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Shami and R Ashwin
All-rounders: Washington Sundar, Mitchell Marsh, Jason Holder, Vijay Shankar