Interestingly, RCB chose to exclude seasoned pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar from their squad for the season opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, against KKR on Saturday.
At Rs 10.75 crore, the 35-year-old India discard is one the most expensive players signed by RCB at the mega auction. Although it is speculated that he had suffered a minor injury ahead of the clash, the real reason for his omission is unknown.
Bhuvi has a total of 181 wickets in 176 IPL matches, with a career economy rate under 8.
Electing to bowl first, RCB named two young Indian pacers - Yash Dayal and Rasikh Dar Salam - in their squad, who will operate alongside Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood.