Who Makes It to Our All-Time IPL XI? - RCB


image-lfnps16wRoyal Challengers Bangalore (Source: iplt20.com)

The time has almost arrived for the biggest sporting extravaganza to kick-start.  Yes, I am talking about the Indian Premier League (IPL).

When we talk about the IPL, the one team which is universally adored is the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). A franchise, that hasn't tasted success in the 15 years of IPL, yet is the most popular team in the competition.

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Boasted by the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, the team has created fond memories and over the years has built a legacy which cannot be rivalled by anyone.

So, ahead of the 16th season of the IPL, we at OneCricket have built RCB's all-time XI, a team, which on their day can defeat the best in the business.



Openers

Chris Gayle and Robin Uthappa

The 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle was a pioneer in the IPL. Arguably the greatest opener in the shortest format of the game, Gayle changed the complexion of RCB when he arrived in 2011.

He was a replacement player for Dirk Nannes, and arguably RCB's greatest pick. In 85 matches, the southpaw had amassed 3163 runs, at a strike-rate of 152.73, which included 5 centuries.

image-lfnzbsaoOpeners of RCB All-time XI (Source: OneCricket)

We have gone with a left-right combo and Uthappa fits the bill perfectly. Long before the Kohli's, the Gayle's, there was 'Robbie in the team.

An aggressive right-handed batter, Uthappa carried the RCB mantle for 31 matches, wherein, he scored 549 runs, but most importantly struck at 141.49.

Middle-Order

Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik

image-lfdojy6eVirat Kohli has been the biggest part of the RCB squad (Source: iplt20.com)

The G.O.A.T of IPL, Virat Kohli occupies the number 3 spot. He has been associated with the franchise for 15 years and is the heart and soul of the team. Kohli is someone who can play as an anchor, and can be the aggressive one as well.

Who can forget his 2016 season? The former RCB skipper racked up 973 runs, and almost took RCB towards their maiden IPL title.

Mr 360, Superhuman, we are running out of superlatives to describe AB de Villiers. It is unfortunate that a player of his calibre hasn't won a single IPL trophy. No one comes close to ABD when it comes to providing the biggest impact in the game. The proteas legend has piled up 4491 runs, in 156 matches, at a strike-rate of 158.64.

image-lfo1qntkRCB All-time XI Middle-Order (Source: OneCricket)

The 'Big Show' as he is often called, Glenn Maxwell has only spent two seasons with the team, but is already a darling for the fans.

RCB took a gamble in 2021, when they bought the services of Maxwell to provide solidity in the lineup, and he did exactly that. He was their best batter in the 2021 season, and continued the domination last season as well as the franchise reached the qualification round. So far, he has garnered 814 runs in 28 matches, at a strike-rate of 152.43.

One of the best finishers in the game, Dinesh Karthik occupies the number 6 and the keeping spot. Time after time he has bailed his side out of precarious situation. He was a pivotal member of the RCB team that reached the knockouts in the 2021 season, wherein he finished quite a number of matches in the slog overs.

All-rounder

Harshal Patel

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He was a relatively unknown commodity before the 2021 season. But that season marked a changed Harshal Patel. He bagged 32 wickets in the season and equalled Dwayne Bravo's record of taking most wickets in an IPL season. The following season, he took 19 wickets in 15 matches, at an average of 21.58.

Bowlers

Mitchell Starc, Zaheer Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Anil Kumble

Over the years, RCB haven't quite found a bowler like Mitchell Starc. When he played, he was feared by everyone. The left-arm seamer bagged 34 wickets in two seasons, with the best of 4 for 15. It's been 8 years, but the team have failed to replace him.

Arguably one of the best bowlers for India, Zaheer Khan was a crucial member of the RCB squad in the initial days. In 44 matches for the franchise, 'ZAK' picked up 49 wickets, at an average of just 26.78.

image-lfo1si2dRCB All-time XI Bowlers (Source: OneCricket)

India's greatest spinner by a country mile, Anil Kumble almost took RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2009. They lost the match at the hands of Deccan Chargers, but Kumble bagged a fifer in the finals. An influential figure in the dressing room, Kumble has played 42 matches for RCB, and has scalped 45 wickets, at an economy of 6.58.

The last member of this team needs no introduction. An RCB legend, Yuzvendra Chahal has crafted a name for himself during his time with the team. Chinnaswamy stadium is a graveyard for spinners, but Chahal, used his skills to perfection and picked up 139 wickets in 113 games. He was Kohli's go to bowler in the middle overs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore All-time XI

image-lfnz9r9uRCB's All-time XI (Source: OneCricket)