RCB's Top 5 batsmen over the years

With 15,414 runs, 105 half-centuries, and 712 sixes between them, the five talismans have produced some of the most unprecedented T20 batting performances across all the competitive tournaments.

From Indian Premier League to the Champions League T20, let us have a look at the top five run-getters for RCB.

Ratio - balls per boundary 

Virat Kohli 

Matches: 192 | Runs: 5836 | Average: 37.89 

On the back of a triumphant run in the U-19 World Cup, Virat Kohli was earmarked by the RCB scouts. The franchise snapped up the services of the Delhi-born batsman for a sum of $30,000 in the 2008 IPL auction.

Since the inception of the Indian Premier League, several batsmen have relied merely on brute force and inventive shots to yield runs. However, Virat Kohli has been the flag bearer of the paradigm shift in batting. Without focussing on the power-hitting aspect, the skipper has used the old school method to garner runs in the shortest format. 

The 31-year-old has also emphasized on the importance of strike-rotation in the shortest format. Quite evidently, Virat Kohli brings the fitness dimension to his game, converting singles to doubles, thus inflicting pressure on the opposition fielders - 43.04% of his runs have constituted from non-boundary entities. The above numbers indicate the significance of the strike-rotation in T20 cricket. 

In 2016, the skipper was at his imperial best - amassing 973 runs at an average of 81.08 and helped by 4 centuries from 16 matches. Since making his debut, Virat Kohli has been an essential part of Royal Challengers Bangalore set-up. 

Runs in Comparison 

AB de Villiers 

Matches: 127 | Runs: 3755 | Average: 47.72 

In 2011, Royal Challengers Bangalore procured the ace batsman for a whopping sum of 5 crores, marking the advent of the ABD-Bengaluru liaison. 

AB de Villiers showcased his proficiency with the willow in his first RCB outing - compiling a 40-ball 54* against Kochi Tuskers Kerala. There are very few players who have redefined the batting approach in T20 cricket; AB de Villiers is one of them. 

Lightning-quick hands, astute cricketing mind,  and brilliant hand-eye coordination - AB de Villiers had all the requisites in his repertoire to prosper in the shortest format. The Protea batsman has portrayed several exceptional batting spectacles for RCB, pulverising the best of the bowling attacks in the competition. 

In 2016, AB de Villiers was at his impeccable best, scoring 687 runs at a staggering average of 52.84 in 16 matches. 

As the years progressed, AB de Villiers developed substantial goodwill amongst the RCB fans. With his intuitive game awareness and unwavering perseverance, AB de Villiers is one of the most versatile players of the modern era. 

Chris Gayle

Matches: 91 | Runs: 3420 | Average: 43.29 

From being unsold at the auction to donning a red and gold attire, the sequence of series that unfolded was unworldly. With just one win in the five matches, RCB were staring down at the barrel before the arrival of Chris Gayle led to the resurrection of fortunes.

Chris Gayle made an instant impact against Kolkata Knight Riders - a 102-run blitzkrieg at the Eden Gardens - his first of many illustrative knocks for the Bengaluru franchise. In 2013, The southpaw made a sound statement when he struck a dictatorial 175 laced with 13 fours and 17 sixes against Pune Warriors India at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

Chris Gayle has always entrusted the power-hitting methodology over conventional strokeplay. Interestingly, he played a very big part in RCB's rise as a batting powerhouse. 

Jacques Kallis 

Matches: 46 | Runs - 1271 | Average: 33.44 

Jacques Kallis, arguably one of the most dependable all-rounders to have ever played the game, was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008.

The Protea cricketer gave a timely reminder of his all-rounder credentials. Gradually, Jacques Kallis formed the fulcrum of the RCB batting line-up, essaying innumerable match-winning performances for RCB.

The seasoned campaigner shouldered the batting responsibility exceedingly well, scoring 933 runs from 31 matches combining the numbers of the second and third edition of the IPL. Jacques Kallis' 55-ball 89 against Kings XI Punjab was instrumental in helping RCB register a record run-chase. Kallis played a significant role in RCB's rise as a dominant side.

With 1271 runs and 30 wickets from 46 matches, Jacques Kallis remains to be one of the most reputed all-rounders to have ever played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore side. 

Rahul Dravid 

Matches: 52 | Runs: 1132 | Average: 28.30 

Prior to the auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore obtained the Karnataka batsman as a marquee player for the inaugural edition of the IPL. 

Rahul Dravid repaid their faith by racking up 375 runs at a strike rate of 124.49 in 14 matches. Pigeonholed as a longer format player, Dravid's 36-ball 75 against Rajasthan Royals provided a blueprint of his T20 prowess.

During his 3-year stay at the RCB camp, Rahul Dravid amassed 1132 runs with a strike rate of 119.66, helped by 5 half-centuries in 45 innings. Out of the 1132 runs, 53.35% comprised runs from the boundaries. A legend in the truest sense, Rahul Dravid will always have a special place in the hearts of the RCB fans, after all, he's one of our own! 

From Virat Kohli to Rahul Dravid, the five talismans have embodied the 'play bold' spirit within the team across the years with their unparalleled dexterities. 

Key Stats 

• Chris Gayle has racked up 3420 runs for RCB, of which 76.90% runs constituted from the boundaries.
• The Jamaican batsman has scored 1561 runs at an average of 41.08 from 44 innings at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium
• With 257 runs from 6 matches, Chris Gayle was the highest run-getter for RCB in the 2011 Champions League T20.
• Jacques Kallis was the highest run-getter for RCB in the 2009 and 2010 campaign, scoring 933 runs in 31 matches.
• The Protea all-rounder has favoured playing against Mumbai Indians, racking up 475 runs at an average of 43.18, and also fetching 7 wickets from 13 matches. 
• The duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have been involved in a record-breaking 200-run partnership on two occasions - the most by a pair in the Indian Premier League.