As pleasure builds for the 2026 version of the Indian Premier League (IPL), former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL) batter and present mentor Dinesh Karthik has revealed his all-time enjoying XI for the franchise. The veteran cricketer shared his picks throughout a dialogue on Cricbuzz, providing a captivating take a look at the gamers he believes symbolize the perfect of RCB’s historical past.
One of many greatest speaking factors from Karthik’s choice was his choice to nominate Rajat Patidar as captain of the facet, overlooking franchise icon Virat Kohli for the management function. The announcement has already sparked debate amongst followers, particularly with IPL 2026 scheduled to start on March 28.
Explosive opening pair that includes Chris Gayle and Faf du Plessis
Karthik began his all-time RCB XI with a strong opening mixture of Chris Gayle and Faf du Plessis. Gayle stays some of the damaging batters ever to symbolize the Bengaluru-based franchise. Throughout his stint with the staff, the West Indies legend performed 85 matches and amassed 3,163 runs, together with 19 half-centuries and 5 centuries. His skill to dominate bowling assaults made him some of the feared gamers in IPL historical past.
Partnering him on the high is former RCB skipper Du Plessis, who led the facet from 2022 to 2024. The South African batter loved a productive interval with the franchise, scoring 1,636 runs in 45 matches whereas registering 15 half-centuries. His consistency and management performed a key function in stabilizing RCB’s batting lineup throughout these seasons.
Virat Kohli and Ab De Villiers anchor the center order
At quantity three, Karthik included Kohli, the main run-scorer in RCB’s historical past. Kohli has been synonymous with the franchise for the reason that inception of the IPL and has amassed a outstanding 8,661 runs, together with 63 fifties and eight centuries for the staff.
Apparently, the captaincy tasks in Karthik’s XI had been handed to Patidar, who was positioned at quantity 4. Patidar earned the management function after guiding RCB to their maiden IPL title within the 2025 season, a historic achievement that elevated his stature throughout the franchise.
Following Patidar is likely one of the most iconic gamers to ever put on the RCB jersey — AB de Villiers. The South African famous person was recognized for his extraordinary skill to vary the course of a match. Throughout his time with RCB, he scored 4,491 runs in 156 matches, together with 37 fifties and two centuries earlier than retiring after the 2021 season.
The decrease center order options wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma and all-rounder Krunal Pandya at numbers six and 7. Each gamers performed essential roles throughout RCB’s profitable 2025 marketing campaign and earned their locations in Karthik’s all-time lineup.
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Balanced bowling assault completes the XI
Karthik’s bowling unit consists of a few of the most impactful bowlers to have represented RCB over time. Harshal Patel was slotted at quantity eight. The seamer loved a memorable run with the franchise, taking 99 wickets in 80 matches and profitable the Purple Cap within the 2021 season.
Becoming a member of him within the tempo division is Mohammed Siraj, who performed for RCB from 2018 to 2024 and claimed 83 wickets in 87 matches earlier than transferring to Gujarat Titans forward of the 2025 season. The spin tasks are led by Yuzvendra Chahal, some of the profitable bowlers within the franchise’s historical past. Chahal took 139 wickets in 113 matches for RCB between 2014 and 2021 and stays a fan favorite.
Finishing the lineup is Australian quick bowler Josh Hazlewood, who was instrumental in RCB’s title-winning marketing campaign in 2025, ending because the staff’s main wicket-taker with 22 scalps. Karthik additionally named Devdutt Padikkal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the 2 affect gamers, rounding off a squad that displays each RCB’s legendary stars and their latest championship heroes.
Dinesh Karthik’s all-time RCB XI: Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), AB de Villiers, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Josh Hazlewood
Affect gamers: Devdutt Padikkal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
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