As always RCB on paper seems to be full of promise. This year saw them get a better balance in the team. The critical point seemed to be the 14th over where AB and Kohli fell. The result was that RCB probably got 20 runs short. This difference could have stretched the match to the last over. The weakness though in RCB continues to be their bowling. This is clearly reflected in the points that they scored. There were concerns raised the problem that RCB played only five bowlers. The issue is not how many bowlers were bowled. The issue is how effective those bowlers are. KKR went after Washington Sunder and Chahal. RCB did not have any back up bowlers. Wood and Tahir were targeted by Mumbai Indians however CSK could fall back on Watson, Bravo, Chahar and Harbhajan. The question this season will continue to remain whether the RCB bowlers will be able to support the batsmen. I believe that the batsmen of RCB are strong enough to put up a competitive score by playing one batsman less.

RCB will have to pick their game up. They will have to live by their motto to Play Bold. They will have to take some really strong decisions. They are currently bottom of the bowling list even though their bowlers are not the worst bowlers in the tournament. RCB is close to my heart. The Chinnaswamy stadium was where I saw my first test match. My love for cricket and test matches took root from there. It also helps that they have English players who were obtained at the auctions rather than as replacements. So this would probably be my team

1) Brendon McCullum

2) Parthiv Patel (wk)

3) Virat Kohli

4) AB de Villiers

5) Mandeep Singh

6) Moeen Ali/Tim Southee/Corey Anderson

7) Chris Woakes

8) Washington Sundar

9) Kulwant Khejroliya

10) Umesh Yadav

11) Yuzvendra Chahal

I believe the inclusion of either Moeen Ali. Tim Southee or Corey Anderson will be able to strengthen the bowling and batting of RCB. Parthiv Patel is a decent keeper. Moeen Ali has found himself doing well in the lower order. However I believe Moeen Ali and Parthiv Patel can be slotted anywhere in the order. I am curious about the team they will play against Kings XI Punjab. It will be an exciting game.