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Brendon McCullum/Quinton de Kock

Will we see a new opening combination at RCB?

In AB de Villiers, Brendon McCullum, Chris Woakes, Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Tim Southee, Royal Challengers Bangalore have one of the strongest overseas contingent on show.

De Villiers, by virtue of being the best batsman in the modern era, undoubtedly earns a spot in the side. The aggressive manner in which RCB bid for Chris Woakes all the way up till INR 7.4 crore would suggest that he would be a regular starter.

Although the spin bowling department looks strong with Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar, their Achilles' heel seems to be their bowling department. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj are known to be wayward and can go for plenty. Recognizing the need for team balance, Kohli would surely draft one of Southee and Coulter-Nile into the 11.

This leaves just one overseas slot which would be filled by an opener in Brendon McCullum, the one who made a record 158 not out at their home ground, or by wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock.

Virat may also choose to open with Parthiv Patel and accommodate yet another all-rounder in de Grandhomme or Moeen Ali, thereby sacrificing both de Kock and Baz.

Plenty of permutations and combinations, but whatever be the case, several stars will be made to warm the bench at Chinnaswamy.