IPL 2018: A look at how RCB could line-up this season

#3 Virat Kohli

Kohli would be hoping to replicate the form he showed in 2016

The RCB skipper, who scored a record-breaking 973 runs in IPL 2016 and majority of them opening the innings, would be equally effective batting at No. 3, something which he has done with a lot of success playing for India.

He has the unique ability to quickly put the pressure on the bowlers early in their spell which in turn helps other batsmen to score freely.

Kohli, who is the costliest RCB player at 17 Crores, would be hoping to replicate his astonishing 2016 season and guide his team to the coveted trophy for the very first time.

IPL stats

Matches 149, Runs 4418, Average 37.44, Strike Rate 129.84, 100s 4, 50s 30

#4 AB De Villiers

De Villiers has forged some huge partnerships with Kohli in the past

Mr. 360 is the perfect No.4 for RCB. In tough situations, he can counter-attack and get the team out of a hole and in situations where the openers have given a good start he can capitalise and score runs at a rapid pace.

ABD has a phenomenal IPL strike rate of 148 and has forged some huge partnerships with Kohli in the past.

IPL stats

Matches 129, Runs 3473, Average 38.16, Strike Rate 148.17, 100s 3, 50s 22

#5 Sarfaraz Khan

RCB would want Sarfaraz to score some crucial knocks this season

Sarfaraz Khan, who was surprisingly retained by RCB for 1.75 crore, would be trusted upon to do the job at No.5 ahead of the likes of Pavan Deshpande and Mandeep Singh.

Although he did not have a great domestic season in 2017-18, the young batsman has shown in the past how effective he can be with the willow in hand.

He has an astonishing strike rate of 173 in IPL! Some of the blistering cameos that he played in IPL 2015/16 are a testimony to his unique hitting abilities.

But RCB would be hoping Khan not just plays those cameos but when needed steps up and plays some crucial knocks taking his team across the finish line.

IPL stats

Matches 18, Runs 177, Average 29.50, Strike Rate 173.52, 100s 0, 50s 0