On Sunday, April 2, in front of their devoted home supporters at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will commence their IPL 2023 journey with a game against the Mumbai Indians, who have won the championship five times, in the fifth match of the season.
Last season, Faf du Plessis‘ team narrowly made it to the playoffs but were eventually defeated by the Rajasthan Royals, crushing their aspirations of winning their first IPL title. To enhance their prospects this year, the Bangalore-based franchise made some smart purchases during the IPL 2023 auction.
1. Reece Topley
At the IPL 2023 auction, RCB acquired Reece Topley, a tall left-arm pacer from England, for INR 1.90 crore. Topley rekindled his success in limited-overs cricket with some remarkable displays for his national team in 2022, but an ankle injury forced him to sit out England’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign. Given the absence of star Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, Topley’s ability to make an impact with the new ball will be crucial for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
2. Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell, who joined RCB as a substitute for Will Jacks, is ready to participate in his first IPL match against the Mumbai Indians on April 2. The southpaw batsman is capable of bowling critical overs in the middle and can even take on the role of an aggressive batter if necessary. He recently demonstrated excellent form on Indian pitches during a bilateral series against the Indian team.
3. David Willey
RCB’s management is expected to choose David Willey to reinforce their batting depth, as he is also capable of providing swing with the new ball, in addition to his excellent power-hitting skills. Willey’s proficiency in swinging the ball in both directions, as well as his experience of playing in various conditions, will be a valuable asset to the RCB squad.
