Predicting Bangalore's playing XI for their first game

Bangalore have qualified for 3 finals in the history of the Indian T20 League but is yet to lift the trophy. They qualified for the playoffs last season but once again faltered. Virat Kohli also stepped down from the role of skipper.

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Bangalore is yet to declare its captain for the Indian T20 league 2022 but rumours are going on that Faf du Plessis will lead the side. Under the leadership of the new skipper, Bangalore will hope for a change in fortunes. 

Team Bangalore will face Punjab in their opening clash on the 27th of March, 2022 at DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. Let us look at the strongest playing XI for Bangalore. 

Openers

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Faf du Plessis (Overseas): While Faf might be leading the Red Army, his role as an opener of the team will be really important. Faf opened for Chennai in the last few seasons and did really well. He scored 633 runs and was the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament last year. Faf’s steady yet dynamic importance at the top will be very essential for Bangalore.

Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the Indian T20 League history. Virat has an uncanny knack of keeping the scoreboard ticking with singles and twos along with occasional boundaries. Kohli is habituated with the role of opening in T20 matches. Virat and Faf at the top of Bangalore will be a dynamic duo as they both can shift their style of play to complement their partner.

Middle Order

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Glenn Maxwell (Overseas): Glenn Maxwell’s presence in any middle-order gives it the flexibility to attack even in the middle-overs. Maxwell was a key architect for Bangalore’s playoff run last season. His affinity to play destructive knocks in the middle order will be an added strength for Bangalore.

Dinesh Karthik (Wicket Keeper): Dinesh Karthik is always busy in the middle overs, rotating the strike. With this, he can come at the end of an innings and also play quick-fire finishing knocks. Karthik will also bring his experience in the middle-order in crunch seasons.

Mahipal Lomror: Mahipal Lomror was a part of the Rajasthan squad last year. He can hit the cricket ball long and hard. His aggressive presence towards the end of an innings can give the team extra 20 to 25 runs. He can also come up with a few overs with the ball in hand.

All-Rounders:

Wanindu Hasaranga (Overseas): Hasaranga hails from Sri Lanka. His rise in the international arena is because of the mystery element in his leg-spin. He played last season for Bangalore but in a few outings, his performance was about average. He will be looking to improve his performance with the ball. He can be handy with the bat as well.

Shahbaz Ahmed: Shahbaz Ahmed will be someone who would be a floater in the batting order. He can come up the order and be a pinch-hitter or can also be a finisher with his hitting abilities in the end. His left-arm spin will be more than handy for the team.

Harshal Patel: The purple cap winner of last season will be looking to repeat his performance. His presence as a bowler will be more important for the team but he can also contribute with the bat.

Bowler

Josh Hazlewood: The Australian fast bowler played for Chennai in the last season. His presence will be important as he can pick wickets in the beginning with the new ball. The team will be looking forward to using Hazlewood’s capability to bowl a continuous line and length.

Mohammed Siraj - Siraj has grown leaps in bounds in stature in the last few years. He was one of the three players retained by Bangalore and he will be looking for some good performances for his franchise.

Karn Sharma - Karn Sharma is likely to fill in the 11th slot and will form a potent spin pair with Wanindu Hasaranga.