The stage for the Indian Premier League season 18 is all set and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru is ready to take on the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The revamped squad of the Royal Challengers will hope to clinch their maiden IPL title this season. The squad has some major reshuffling including the inclusion of Bhuveshwar Kumar and letting go of the former skipper Faf du Plessis. Here are the top 5 picks that can bring fortune for the Bengaluru franchise and turn the tables in their favour.
Also Read: 3 Reasons Why RCB Might NOT Make It Even To The Playoffs This Season
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar had earlier been part of the franchise from 2009-2010 but later acquired by the Pune Warriors India from 2011-2013. He spent a 10 year time with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was acquired by the Royal Challengers in the 2024 Mega Auction at Jeddah. He is the only Indian to win the Purple Cap twice. He was awarded with the Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017 by taking 23 and 26 wickets respectively.
Liam Livingstone
Livingstone was acquired by the RCB in the Mega Auction for ₹8.75 crore. He is regarded for his monstrous hits and is a valuable all rounder for the team. His bowling skills will add greatly to side.
Romario Shephard
The Barbarian is known for this power hitting across all the ground. He was acquired by the Bengaluru franchise at a base price of ₹1.5 cr. He played for Mumbai Indians in the 2024 season and smashed the ball with a massive strike rate of 271.43.
Phil Salt
Phil Salt’s fearless batting earned him a spot at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He had a spectacular career with Kolkata Knight Riders and played a very crucial role in their 2024 campaign and smashed 435 runs in 12 innings.
Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal started his career with the RCB and performed exceptionally well during his tenure with Bengaluru. During his tenure with RCB, he smashed 473 and 411 runs in the 2020 and 2021 season. His stats indicate that his performance for RCB has always been top notch as compared to other franchises.
