IPL 2019: 3 players RCB probably regret buying this year
Royal Challengers Bangalore have always been a star-studded team, with the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Ab de Villiers and many others appearing for them. But while the team has always looked powerful on paper, it has regularly failed to impress on the field.
IPL 2019 has been no different. RCB have lost six matches back-to-back to find themselves at the bottom of the points table, despite having many stars in their squad. They would be hoping to kick-start their campaign in their next game, against the Kings XI Punjab.
During this year's IPL auction, RCB spent a total of INR 163,500,000 (16.35 crore INR). They bought nine players with this amount, which includes seven Indians and two foreign players.
Most of their new signings haven't got a chance to play, but the ones who have, haven't been impressive at all. Here are three players that RCB might be regretting buying:
#3 Prayas Ray Barman
Prayas Ray Barman impressed RCB's management with his performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he picked up 11 wickets in nine outings. He was picked up for 15,000,000 at the auction despite being just 16 years old.
Spending such big bucks on a youngster doesn't seem to be a good move in hindsight, as Barman's inexperience has sharply come to the fore in the tournament. He made his debut for RCB against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and was hit for 56 runs in his four overs.
Bangalore will be disappointed at spending such a large amount for the young leg-spinner, as they could have instead gone for a more experienced player at the auction with that kind of money.
#2 Shivam Dube
The 25-year-old was a player who everyone was eager to watch. Shivam Dube fully showcased his talent during this year's domestic season for Mumbai, and seemed ready to set the IPL on fire.
RCB got into a bidding war for him before finally getting him for 5 crore, making him the costliest buy for the team this season.
Dube is a very talented batsman and has hit 6 sixes in an over at the domestic level, a feat that attracted many people's attention. He is also a handy bowler, who can chip in with a few overs when required. However, things haven't gone his way at all this season.
In the three matches that Dube has played, he has only been able to score 19 runs with a strike rate of just 94, which is disastrous for a hard-hitting batsman of his ilk.
#1 Shimron Hetmyer
A lot was expected out of the 22-year-old Shimron Hetmyer, but the youngster just hasn't been able to deliver for RCB so far.
Hetmyer has done a great job for his country, West Indies, scoring 4 centuries and 2 half-centuries in just 16 matches. He was the second biggest buy for RCB this year, who spent 4.2 crore for him.
But the hard-hitting batsman has only been able to score 15 runs in his four matches, with an average of below four and a strike rate of just 57. It is hard to guess why he hasn't been able to play his natural game - whether it is because of the pressure of expectations, or if the bowlers have found out his weaknesses.