IPL 2021: Predicting Opening Pairs of Royal Challengers Bangalore

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to be played from mid-April this year. The mini-auction for this season was held on February 18at Chennai in which a total of 57 players were sold to 8 teams. All the franchises have bought certain players according to their needs in the team composition.

The Virat Kohli-led RCB released 10 players out of the squad ahead of IPL 2021 auction. In the auction, RCB had Rs. 35.90 crore salary cap available. The franchise spent Rs. 15 crores to buy Kyle Jamieson and Rs. 14.25 crore to buy Glenn Maxwell. They also bought Australia all-rounder Dan Christian for Rs. 4.8 crore. Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Azharudeen, Suyash Prabhudesai, and Kona Srikar Bharat were the other five payers Royal Challengers Bangalore bought during the auction. All these players were purchased at their base price of Rs. 20 lakh.

Royal Challengers Bangalore managed to qualify for playoffs in IPL 2020 but they lost the Eliminator match to Sunrisers Hyderabad which ended their journey in the league. This year, they will be eager to start their tournament on high as they have failed to taste title victory in IPL tournaments on three occasions. Royal Challengers Bangalore lost IPL finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, after luck did not favor the franchisee during these matches.

For a team to perform better they need a proper start. After releasing Finch, Royal Challengers Bangalore will have to build trust in a new player for the role of the opener. Here we will look at the best opening pairs for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.

RCB Best Opening Pairs For IPL 2021

Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal had a great outing for them at the top, scoring 473 runs with the help of 5 half-centuries. He was chosen for the Emerging Player of the Year award for his amazing performance. His brilliant batting style at the top order gave Royals Challengers Bangalore a reliable opener. So Devdutt Padikkal will the best option for an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.

Mohammed Azharuddeen

As for as his partner is concerned, they have two choices: Josh Phillipe and Mohammed Azharuddeen. Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Mohammed Azharuddeen at his base price. He is a great option for opening and RCB may well start with him.

Azharuddeen has also been keeping wickets for his state team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This gives the Bangalore team a chance to relieve their experienced players AB de Villiers from the keeping duties and play an extra overseas player in place of Josh Philippe.

Both the young batsmen can emerge as trustworthy openers for the team, provided the franchisee gives them adequate opportunities to prove their worth. At present, Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Azharuddeen are among the best choices for Royal Challengers Bangalore for the opening pair.