IPL 2022 - A Complete Breakdown Of Royal Challengers Bangalore's Squad

Analysis of Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) squad for IPL 2022.

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'Change is the only constant' is a phrase that one can connect with Royal Challengers Bangalore's(RCB) IPL Mega Auction team construction. The RCB, in this year, tried to take a fresh approach in building the team for the future and finally get their hands on the trophy. 

RCB began their auction process by retaining three players - Virat Kohli(15cr), Glenn Maxwell(11cr), and Mohammad Siraj(7cr) - and entered the mega event with a purse of 57 crores. 

At the end of the auction, RCB was left with 1.55 crores and 22 players in the squad. The fresh approach by Bangalore was to try and get new players on the team. They bought back six players in the auction who were part of the RCB set up last year for 25.2 crores while retaining three for 33 crores. 

RCB banked on 11 capped players for 47.55 crores and got eight uncapped for 7.9 crores during the auction. They spent 30.05 crores on getting seven overseas players - excluding Glenn Maxwell. RCB's most expensive players were Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga for 10.75 crores each. 

RCB's Fresh Approach 

The RCB management tried things differently in this auction where they made sure to get like for like replacement each player and position. Star value, which RCB banked on in the previous years was cut down, and quality players who brought cricketing value were pushed. 

They got RCB Faf du Plessis upfront to lock the opening position, although they could have tried for David Warner who brings a more dynamic approach and a left-hander at the top. The like-for-like replacement for Faf is New Zealand's Finn Allen; they both smash pace at the top. 

One interesting pick was Anuj Rawat, who is a spin-hitting top-order bat. There is a good chance RCB might invest in him right from the start, unless they get Virat Kohli to open. However, if Faf and Kohli do open, the opposition is likely to attack with the spin to strangle them in the powerplay. 

Glenn Maxwell will be their key player who is a terrific player of spin and a decent four-over off-spinner as well - can operate in both powerplay and middle overs according to the matchup. 

Another exciting pick in the RCB squad is Mahipal Lomror, who although hasn't been consistent in IPL, has the ability to smash spin and adds left-hand value in the middle. 

Dinesh Karthik is one of the finest finishers in the T20 format. What RCB got from picking Karthik was an Indian wicketkeeper plus a finisher. They bought Hasaranga for 10.75 crores and in return, RCB got a quality leg spinner and a handy batter who can smash spinners. A great floater option to attack spin in the middle overs and save pace for Karthik. 

Harshal Patel is not only the death and middle overs specialist RCB was looking for but a quality batting option who can be used as a floater. 

RCB tried to cover each phase with their first choice pace bowling options - Mohammad Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, and Harshal Patel. Siraj - powerplay plus death, Hazlewood - powerplay plus middle overs, and Harshal - the middle plus death overs. 

The smart thing they did was to get backups in the form of David Willey, Jason Behrendorff, Sidharth Kaul, and two uncapped pacers - Akash Singh and Chama Milind. Suyash Prabhudesai is another untested entity who can add value with both bat and bowl. 

They got a dynamic power hitter option covered in the form of Sherfane Rutherford, who hits both pace and spin with ease. He could be used as a backup of both Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore tried to get as many options possible in their squad and for the most part, have succeeded. However, there is a gamble involved where some of them are untested. Is this the team that will finally bring them the trophy they have been looking for for the past 15 years? Time will tell. 

RCB Squad For IPL 2022: Faf du Plessis, Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Akash Deep, Finn Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Behrendorff, Suyash Prabudessai, Chama Milind, Aneeshwar Gautam, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, Luvnith Sisodia, David Willey