IPL 2020: RCB's predicted playing XI

Although the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) come into the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) as definite underdogs, the team does have a balance that hasn't been seen yet.

Virat Kohli's men are engaged in intense training sessions in the UAE as they attempt to secure a much-awaited IPL title. RCB will play their first game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on the 3rd day of IPL 2020 action (21st September).

Ahead of the tournament, we attempt to predict RCB's playing XI.

For the updated IPL 2020 purple cap, click here.

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RCB's predicted playing XI for IPL 2020

Note: All players from England and Australia have been assumed to be available, with no official word yet regarding their participation in the first few games of IPL 2020.

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Openers: Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal

Finch has a poor IPL record but is in good form at the moment

Aaron Finch doesn't have a great IPL record and in his last season in 2018, he managed only 134 runs in 10 games for Ravichandran Ashwin's Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Although he was used down the order for KXIP, he is expected to bat at the opening slot where he is most dangerous in IPL 2020.

The Australian white-ball captain seems to be in good nick in the ongoing T20I series against England, and if he gets RCB off to good starts in IPL 2020, that will take a lot of the pressure off Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Devdutt Padikkal would be the ideal candidate to partner him at the top of the order. The highly-rated Karnataka youngster has been praised by head coach Simon Katich, who said that he has done everything possible to make his IPL debut.

Padikkal's inclusion would mean that Parthiv Patel is demoted to the bench, which is a brave call to say the least. But the 20-year-old has been in cracking form in domestic cricket, and his talent simply cannot be ignored.

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Middle Order: Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk)

Kohli and De Villiers are undoubtedly RCB's two most important batsmen

Two constants of the RCB team over many IPL seasons, captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers come in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively.

While the Indian captain seems to be in good nick in the nets in the UAE, De Villiers can be expected to don the gloves for RCB in IPL 2020. The former South African captain has been practising his wicket-keeping in the nets, and coach Katich has stated that the option of De Villiers behind the stumps is one that is being considered.

De Villiers kept wickets for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) earlier this year, and him taking up the role would all but guarantee Padikkal's place in the XI ahead of Parthiv.

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Spin-bowling all-rounders: Moeen Ali, Washington Sundar

Moeen Ali adds great balance to the RCB line-up

Moeen Ali will be the third overseas player in the RCB XI for IPL 2020, and in all probability, he will come in at No. 5. The Englishman adds great balance to the side, with his aggressive batting against the spinners and handy off-spin that is highly potent on turning tracks.

RCB have often lacked quality middle-order batsmen who can step up if Kohli and De Villiers fail, and Ali's experience and skill might greatly help the franchise.

The other spin-bowling all-rounder who could play for RCB is Washington Sundar. The off-spinner's prowess in the powerplay overs will add an extra dimension to RCB's bowling attack, and this would also mean that star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal won't need to be wasted with the new ball this IPL.

Sundar also offers something with the bat, and he will be competing with Gurkeerat Singh for a place in the playing XI in IPL 2020. The Punjab batsman is a better option with the bat in hand, but it is likely that RCB opt for the youngster.

Note: It is unlikely that Sundar will come in at No. 6, and he has merely been included here to club him in with Ali.

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Fast-bowling all-rounders: Shivam Dube, Chris Morris

Can Shivam Dube step up and contribute in both departments?

As mentioned, Sundar will probably bat lower than No. 6, and the man who is likely to occupy the role is Shivam Dube. The all-rounder has flattered to deceive so far, but IPL 2020 could be the season in which he finally establishes himself as a quality all-rounder.

Dube is only 4 matches into his IPL career, and has 40 runs and no wickets to show for. His cutters and short balls could be perfectly suited to the UAE, and if he performs well in both departments, many of RCB's problems will be solved.

New signing Chris Morris will take up the final overseas slot in RCB's playing XI in IPL 2020. The South African has been bought with the primary intention of solving the team's death bowling woes, and he offers something with the bat in hand as well.

Morris might be picked ahead of Dale Steyn and Adam Zampa due to his all-round prowess, while his IPL experience should put him above Isuru Udana in the pecking order.

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Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal is RCB's leading wicket-taker in IPL history

Indian spearhead Umesh Yadav, who has been excellent in the powerplay but poor at the death in the past few seasons, will lead the RCB pace attack in IPL 2020. The Vidarbha fast bowler's aggression and swing with the new ball have ensured that RCB have got off to great starts in their bowling innings, and they will want the same to continue this season.

Navdeep Saini, who has been working very hard on his fitness recently, is likely to partner Yadav in the RCB pace attack for IPL 2020. The express quick probably has the best yorker among the RCB bowlers and his pace, along with his ability to bowl at the death, make him a dark horse for the Purple Cap. He is expected to play ahead of Mohammed Siraj, who has been expensive in the IPL.

RCB's playing XI for IPL 2020 is guaranteed to feature their leading wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal. The leggie is their biggest threat with the ball, and will make merry in the friendly UAE conditions.

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RCB's Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2020:

Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal