IPL 2021: Opening Pair Of Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore managed to qualify for playoffs in IPL 2020 but they lost the Eliminator match to Sunrisers Hyderabad which ended their journey in the league. In IPL 2021 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore bought 8 players. The Virat Kohli-led team released 10 players out of the squad ahead of IPL 2021 auction. In the auction, RCB had Rs. 35.90 crore salary cap available. The franchise spent Rs. 15 crore to buy Kyle Jamieson and Rs. 14.25 crore to buy Glenn Maxwell.

RCB also bought Australia all-rounder Dan Christian for Rs. 4.8 crore. Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Azharudeen, Suyash Prabhudesai and Kona Srikar Bharat were the other five payers Royal Challengers Bangalore bought during the auction. All these players were purchased at their base price of Rs. 20 lakh.

RCB has failed to taste title victory in IPL tournaments on three occasions. Royal Challengers Bangalore lost IPL finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016, after luck did not favour the franchisee during these matches. However, cricket fans will agree that Royal Challengers Bangalore is a deserving team that has the capability to become IPL champions. With the addition of 8 new members to the team, Royal Challengers Bangalore will arrive in IPL 2021 with yet another effort to lift the trophy.

After releasing Aaron Finch from the squad ahead of IPL 2021 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore falls short of openers in the team. The Australian cricketer Aaron Finch opened the innings for RCB in IPL 2020, along with Devdutt Padikkal. After Finch’s ouster, Royal Challengers Bangalore will have to build trust in a new player for the role of the opener. Here we will look at the best opening pairs for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: Opening Pairs Of Royal Challengers Bangalore

Devdutt Padikkal and Josh Philippe

Devdutt Padikkal, who arrived in Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020, emerged as a gemstone for the team. The left-handed batsman started his IPL journey by hitting a half-century in his debut game. Batting at a strike rate of 124+, Padikkal hit five half-centuries in IPL 2020 tournament.

With 473 runs in 15 innings, he was also the leading run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bangalore. His brilliant batting style at the top order gave Royals Challengers Bangalore a reliable opener. So Devdutt Padikkal will the best option for an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.

Since the RCB team does not have many options for the other opener, giving an opportunity to Josh Philippe for the same will be a nice idea. The Australia wicket-keeper batsman can open the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021. The 23-year-old youngster has shown spectacular performances in domestic cricket league Big Bash recently. Due to his commendable performances, Josh Philippe has also bagged an international call-up in the Australian team in 2021.

Last time, right-handed batsman Josh Phillippe only played 5 matches for RCB, scoring 78 runs. He did not have a great stint in the tournament. However, the Aussie cricketer has brushed up his skills a lot post-IPL 2020. Royal Challengers Bangalore needs to trust Josh Phillippe in IPL 2021 and give him opportunities to prove his worth. His inclusion in the playing 11 will also fill the wicket-keeper spot in the match. Therefore, he will act as a bonus choice to opt for.

20-year-old Devdutt Padikkal is also a relatively new team member for RCB like Josh Phillippe. Both the young batsmen can emerge as trustworthy openers for the team, provided the franchisee gives them adequate opportunities to prove their worth. At present, Devdutt Padikkal and Josh Phillippe are among the best choices for Royal Challengers Bangalore for the opening pair.