IPL 2018: How Virat Kohli’s boys line up in the tournament

Bowlers

Chahal-the man with the golden arms still holds the key alongside a formidable pace attack

Umesh Yadav

The "Vidarbha Express" enjoyed a successful stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders until last year and is ready to run through the opposition batting for RCB this year. Currently, he is an integral part of the Indian pace unit in Tests and has sharpened his swing ever since his debut.

He can clock around 140 kph at regular intervals and is a successful campaigner at IPL. He picked up 17 wickets from 14 matches in the last season and is known to be one of the fittest players in the current Indian team. He is agile and can hit big shots down the order (he has a career best of 128 not out in the domestic circuit to his name). Having bowled well for Vidarbha and India B in the domestic circuit this season, he will spearhead the pace attack for the Royal Challengers.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

The tall experienced Australian will share the pace bowling responsibilities along with the likes of Chris Woakes and Umesh Yadav. He performed exceptionally well in the last season with KKR where he bagged 15 wickets from just 8 matches for the Knights.

He has prior experience of playing in IPL as well as for Australia and has tasted success in the Big Bash League as well. He is an athletic fielder and can hit long sixes down the order. He is credited to have hit one of the biggest sixes ever hit at 'Gabba-Brisbane' during the Big Bash League 2012-13. With 36 IPL wickets at an economy of just above 7.5, he will surely add value to the resurrecting bowling attack.

Mohammed Siraj

Like Washington Sundar, another player who rose to fame was Mohammed-Siraj. The Hyderabad-born speed star was paid a whopping Rs. 2.6 crores last year by Sunrisers Hyderabad after his brilliant performance in the Ranji trophy.

He took 10 wickets in his maiden IPL and was praised for his pace. He was soon rewarded with the India call where he proved to be a bit expensive. But he has been in great form now and has already picked up 29 wickets in his last 10 'List A' matches for Hyderabad. Being an interesting prospect, the RCB management will love to exploit the raw pace of this young lad to strengthen their bowling line up.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Last but not the least, is the new spin sensation, Yuzvendra Chahal. He is currently one of the most reliable bowlers for the national team and is known to bamboozle the batsman with his variations of wrist spin as well as length. He is intelligent, aggressive and can bowl according to the situation even on flat tracks. He holds the record of best bowling figure by an Indian in T20s (6/25) and is an exciting talent to be on the team.

He has the trust of his skipper with him and normally has the experience to bowl economically even in the power plays. With 43 wickets from 23 matches in ODIs and 30 wickets in 18 T20 internationals, Chahal will be the key man in bowling department for RCB in their hunt for glory.