Royal Challengers Bengaluru team profile: probable playing 11, new RCB players under Faf du Plessis

Dinesh Karthik may play his last IPL this season. The wicketkeeper-batter has appeared in every season since 2008, and has scored 4,516 runs. (Image source: X / @RCBTweets)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the season with a positive mindset as their women's team won the Women's Premier League just days ago on March 17, 2024. It was RCB's first title in the Premier League franchise system. The men's team have been searching for the elusive title since the inception of the IPL. The stars are in their favour ahead of the 2024 edition. All-rounder Cameron Green, traded from Mumbai Indians for Rs 17.50 crore, could be a game-changer. As could West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.

The Bengaluru franchise bought six new players at the auction with Rs 20.40 crore. They roped in Joseph for Rs 11.50 crore. Joseph, who holds the record for the best bowling figures (6/12) in an innings in the IPL, could be the surprise package. At the time of creating that record, he represented the Mumbai Indians.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson joined the franchise for Rs 2 crore. He will add firepower to the bowling department along with Joseph. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who represented Gujarat Titans for two seasons, made the cut for Rs 5 crore.

There will be attention on Virat Kohli as he will return to cricket after two months. Dinesh Karthik may play his last IPL season. The wicketkeeper-batter has appeared in every season since 2008, and has scored 4,516 runs.

RCB will start the season against Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on March 22. CSK now have a new captain - Ruturaj Gaikwad, 27. This could throw off any strategy RCB might have centred around MS Dhoni captaining the team as usual.

Having said that, RCB are once again favourites to win. The momentum from the women's team victory could push them over the line, too. As RCBians say: "Ee sala cup namde!"

RCB probable XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, Akash Deep.