IPL 2016: 5 players who could pose a threat to RCB in the final
RCB vs SRH Live Ball by Ball commentary | IPL 2016 Final Live Updates |
The Royal Challengers Bangalore became the first team to reach the finals of this edition’s IPL by defeating the Gujarat Lions after making a strong comeback in the tournament after a poor start. This year’s tournament have been completely owned by Virat Kohli’s superhuman consistency which surpassed the likes AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Shane Watson along with other superstars involved in the competition. He is one of the biggest reasons behind RCB’s tournament favorite tag.
The Bangalore-based franchise’s top order is arguably the greatest ever batting line-up in the history of T20s. Two of world’s best batsmen bat in the top three along with the most destructive batsman in the shortest format. However, Gayle’s season has been pretty ordinary by his standards. The big Jamaican would like to fire in the all important final.
Their bowling was under fire early in this year’s tournament in the beginning and was termed as one of the weakest bowling attacks by several pundits. However, they seemed to have brought it back a lot with discipline with the ball, and that has played a major part in their brilliant comeback this year.
The likes of Shane Watson and Yuzvendra Chahal are at the top of the tournament’s highest wicket takers list whilst a certain Iqbal Abdulla has also played a valuable part alongside AB de Villiers in their last match.
However, the Challengers will have to overcome the challenge of Sunrisers Hyderabad on 29 May to achieve the ultimate glory at their home ground. The David Warner-led side has several players who can emerge as threats in the final.
Here we take a look at five players who could be a threat to the Virat Kohli-led side in the all-important final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The right-arm medium pacer from Meerut is currently the Purple Cap holder with the most number of wickets in the tournament. He has been the most successful bowlers of Sunrisers Hyderabad with crucial wickets in almost every matches.
The 26-year-old has been brilliant throughout the tournament and bowled with a lot of intensity. It seems that Uttar Pradesh cricketer has revived his swing along with a significant increment in the pace department.
In 16 IPL matches, he has picked up 23 wickets with a superb average of 20.21 and with an impressive economy rate of 7.50. He has also transformed into a very effective death bowler with clever changes and variations.
In 5 matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium, he has picked up 6 wickets at an average of 25.16 and with an economy rate of 7.61 which is quite impressive considering the nature and history of the venue.