IPL 2019: Ranking the middle order batsmen of the 8 IPL teams

#4 Royal Challengers Bangalore

AB de Villiers

Possible middle order options available for Bangalore:

1. Virat Kohli

2. AB de Villiers

3. Heinrich Klaasen

4. Shimron Hetmyer

5. Himmat Singh

6. Milind Kumar

7. Akshdeep Nath

Bangalore have a sure-shot No. 3 and No. 4 as their mainstays – Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Apart from those two slots, every other position can be experimented upon.

There is a possibility that Bangalore might opt to play Heinrich Klaasen at No. 5 to strengthen their middle order, or even Moeen Ali could be given that role.

If Shimron Hetmeyer is preferred in the middle order instead of being an opener, then he may end up at No. 5 or No. 6 depending on whether Klaasen plays or not. If neither of the two overseas recruits is picked in the playing XI, then that void might be filled up by Himmat Singh or Milind Kumar.

Overall there is a lot of scope for experimentation in the Bangalore lineup in order to get the right playing XI. It will be up to Gary Kirsten and Kohli to get the ball rolling with the right combination from the start of the IPL season.