IPL: Predicting RCB strongest playing XI

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made some exciting changes for the IPL 2025 season. After keeping key players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, the team has built a strong squad during the mega auction. 

They have added powerful hitters such as Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, and Jitesh Sharma, along with experienced bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. With a total of 22 players in their squad, Rajat Patidar will lead the team this season. Patidar has had an interesting career so far in the IPL. He went unsold during the IPL 2022 auction and was brought in by the franchise as a replacement player.

He made 333 runs in 2022 in eight games at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75. He hit one century and two half-centuries. He missed the entire 2023 season due to an Achilles heel injury. In 2024, he made 395 runs in 15 games at a strike rate of 177.13 and made five half-centuries.

Phil Salt and Virat Kohli are set to open the batting for RCB. Salt is known for his aggressive batting style and ability to hit big shots in T20 matches. Virat Kohli, a star player for many years, has also been very successful as an opener for the team.

Captain Rajat Patidar will bat at number 3. He has performed really well in this position over the last few seasons. The middle order will also feature two strong hitters, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma, who can score quickly and keep the run rate high during the middle overs.

Tim David, known for his ability to hit sixes, will be the finisher for RCB. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is a great place for his style of play. Alongside him, all-rounders Krunal Pandya and Swapnil Singh can step up if the top-order struggles.

RCB has a strong bowling lineup with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal. Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood bring a lot of experience, while Yash Dayal had a great performance last year for the team.

Here is the strongest playing 11 of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2025:

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk) ,Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

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