Royal Challengers Bangalore is gearing up for the 2023 Indian Premier League season. Huge things can be expected from RCB this season as they got a far more strengthened squad compared to previous seasons. Despite reaching the final three times in 2009, and 2011 and their finest campaign till date in 2016, RCB has failed to go all the way losing all three times. However, based on their recent performances and recent squad changes, RCB has what it takes to go all the way and be crowned the champions of the 15th edition of the IPL.
One of RCB’s main strengths this season will definitely be their all-star batting lineup. They have some of T20’s biggest and most proficient stars in the world such as Indian Phenom Virat Kohli, Aussie hard-hitter Glenn Maxwell, and Protea batting maestro Faf Du Plessis. Kohli has been part of the RCB fraternity since the beginning and is considered a legend of the franchise. He served as the franchise’s captain for 10 long years leaving captaincy in 2021 and is one of the most successful captains in RCB’s history reaching the final of the 2016 edition of the IPL. Maxwell was bought by RCB in the 2021 auction and had a great season with them and one season later in 2022 Faf Du Plessis was signed and immediately made captain after a long run of captaincy by Kohli was laid to rest back in 2021. Du Plessis is set to captain the side this season as well after he left a lasting impression in his first season as player and captain for RCB, finishing fourth in the group stage and reaching the preliminary final after being eliminated by runners-up Rajasthan Royals.
Another area where RCB has significantly improved over the years is their bowling. In IPL 2022, they had some quality bowlers such as Wanindu Hasaranga (who was among the top two highest wicket-takers of the tournament bagging 26 wickets only behind former RCB spin maestro Yuzvendra Chahal who got 27) and Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel who bagged 20 and 19 wickets respectively. Their bowlers were able to defend low totals and win matches for RCB. With some new faces added to the mix If their bowling attack performs consistently this season, there is no doubt that RCB will go all the way.
RCB has been a formidable force in the IPL since its inception in 2008 but despite all the glory, they have still failed to secure their first-ever IPL title.
However with new leadership and some new faces as well they will be looking to make a strong statement this season. They made little to no moves with very limited new signings during the 2023 IPL auction as they widely believe they’ve already got players who can help them win their first-ever IPL title. With Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood, and Muhammad Siraj playing under the leadership of Faf Du Plessis, RCB will be a force to be reckoned with. They will take center stage with almost a similar squad as their previous campaign with Englishman Reece Topley and Kiwi All-Rounder Mitchell Bracewell among the new faces joining the already star-studded team.
The fusion of young talent from around the world and proven match winners will surely see RCB reach new heights this season.
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