Season 16 of the Indian Premier League is just a week away from getting underway and the latest edition promises to be an exciting event. Reigning champions Gujarat Titans and 4-time winners Chennai Super Kings will play the opening match of the new season on March 31st.
While some franchises will be looking to win their next IPL title, some teams will be hoping that they land their inaugural IPL title. Royal Challengers Bangalore will be among the teams which will be vying to win their maiden title as Faf Du Plesis will look to engrave his name as the only RCB captain to win the elusive title.
RCB IPL 2023 Squad#IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/qwDzPqpNgQ
— Ritik (@themeforyou) March 24, 2023
Last season RCB finished in the top 4 but were bowed out of the competition in Qualifier 2 against eventual runners-up Rajasthan Royals. During the mini-auctions for 2023 IPL season, RCB bought Right arm fast bowler Reece Topley while English All-rounder Will Jacks has been replaced by Kiwi Micheal Bracewell.
Among the Indian recruits, RCB bought Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhangade. Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh and Sonu Yadav. Bracewell’s inclusion into the team will be a benefit for the RCB as the Kiwi had smacked 140 against India during the recent tour in ODIs.
All eyes will be once again on Virat Kohli after he broke his century drought in Test cricket and he will enter the tournament with full confidence.
Captain Du Plessis, local stalwart Rajat Patidar, superstar Glenn Maxwell, seasoned veteran Dinesh Karthik, and power hitter Mahipal Lomror are also included in the RCB’s all-star batting order. Wanindu Hasaranga will oversee the spin department alongside Shahbaz Ahmed, while in-form Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace assault alongside Josh Hazlewood.
Hasaranga and Shahbaz, two hitters in the lower order, can also give RCB a late surge. Patidar is expected to further advance his status in the upcoming season after smashing an unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Ginats in the IPL eliminator last year. After an outstanding campaign with RCB the previous year, Patidar received his first call-up to India.
