IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore's strongest possible playing XI

Bowlers

#8 Nathan Coulter-Nile

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Nathan Coulter-Nile was supposed to be the strike bowler for RCB in 2018. Unfortunately, he was injured and missed the entire tournament. This time around he is fit and in form too. His fiery pace is back along with some new found skills with the bat. Coulter-Nile has scored some important runs for Australia in the recent ODI series against India. He can team up with Umesh Yadav to start the proceedings with the new ball and can also bowl in the death with Marcus Stoinis or Mohammed Siraj. His presence can assure Kohli of the death over bowling and this can allow Umesh’s four overs of lethal bowling to be used up front.

#9 Yuzvendra Chahal

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Chahal has been the mainstay of RCB’s bowling unit. His willy leg spin has ensured there are wickets at regular intervals and crucial stages. Last season Chahal went onto pick 12 wickets from 14 matches with an astounding economy of 7.26 per over.

#10 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav has been at his best bowling up-front. His fiery spells have brought wickets in the power play. Kohli should not be shy of using Umesh’s four overs in one go when he is swinging the ball well.

#11 Mohammed Siraj

In the previous season, it was baffling to see Mohammed Siraj not playing the first few matches for RCB. Though Siraj is a work in progress, he has definitely improved leaps and bounds with death bowling. Chinnaswamy has always been a difficult ground to bowl in the death overs.

A young bowler, with a large heart, with variations and the intent to learn, has to be given a longer rope. Virat has to assure Siraj a minimum of 6 games and trust him to partner either Stoinis or Coulter-Nile to bowl the final overs of the game.

This can be the most balanced XI RCB can field in the coming edition of IPL. In the place of injuries and players going home for International duty, there are able replacements in the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, Shimron Hetmeyer and others.