Coach Daniel Vettori
Last season 5th
Best performance Runners-up, 2009 and 2011
Secret weapon
Abu Nechim Ahmed Bowling consistently in the 140kph region, the right-arm paceman can also swing the ball both ways and has impressive control. Royal Challengers Bangalore believe he could be their "dark horse" this season and, given his domestic performances, there is every reason to be optimistic. He picked up 25 wickets for Assam in eight Ranji Trophy (India's premier domestic long-form cricket tournament) matches.
Best Indian players
Yuvraj Singh His performance in the World Twenty20 may have irked Indian fans, but a match-winner on his day.
Shadab Jakati A consistent performer for Chennai in previous seasons, the left-arm spinner is a good addition for RCB.
Ashok Dinda The medium pacer has been among the wickets on the domestic circuit and will be looking to impress for his new franchise.
Overseas stars
AB De Villiers (South Africa) One of the most feared batsmen in international cricket and an outstanding fielder.
Nic Maddinson (Australia) The opener has been making waves on the Australian domestic circuit and now the southpaw gets an opportunity to wow IPL fans.
Mitchell Starc (Australia) A promising, young, left-arm pace bowler, he is a decent bat as well and holds the record for the second-fastest 50 by an Australian in Tests.
Chris Gayle (West Indies) Needs no introduction. The big Jamaican is the lord of destruction in Twenty20 cricket.
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) It has been three years since his last international, but the 41 year old can still mesmerise batsmen with his magical twirls.
Ravi Rampaul (West Indies) The West Indian took 13 wickets for RCB last season and should play a prominent role again.
Albie Morkel (South Africa) A game changer with bat or ball, the South African will be hoping to grab a regular spot in the XI.
One thing you probably did not know about Royal Challengers Bangalore
Chris Gayle has 14 man-of-the-match awards since joining RCB in 2011 as a replacement for the injured Dirk Nannes. He has played 43 matches over the past three seasons, scoring 2,049 runs at an average of 62.09 and a strike rate of 165.10. He has hit 159 fours and 154 sixes. In two previous seasons playing with the KKR, he had only 16 matches and scored 463 runs at 30.86.
Paul Radley’s chocolate comparison
If they were chocolate they would be ... Ferrero Rocher. Affluent stars of posh parties and badly dubbed adverts. With this batting line up, they are really spoiling us.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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