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IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore Squad Analysis

Do RCB have what it takes to be champions?
Do RCB have what it takes to be champions?

It is indeed very tough to be a fan of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. For when everything seems to be balanced on paper, RCB somehow tend to find a way to lose the tournament. However, as the new season of IPL is all set to commence this March, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be hoping to change their fortunes this time around after a fruitful auction in December 2018 where they managed to bag few match-winners.

Over the years, it has always been the over-reliance on star players, extra power in either one of their departments and inability to cling on to the crucial moments that have cost them the trophy each time. Normally, fans would get frustrated supporting a team which just doesn’t know how to cross the final barrier.

However, Bangalore fans are one of the most passionate and enthusiastic fans ever as they come out to support their fans in large numbers year after year. Hopefully then, RCB will be able to gift renewed hope, joy and energy to these fans with an improved performance in the forthcoming season.

Here is a look at how the RCB squad looks like ahead of the league.

Openers: Devdutt Paddikal

Middle-order batsmen: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Milind Kumar, Himmat Singh, Shimron Hetmyer

Wicketkeepers: Parthiv Patel, Heinrich Klaasen

Allrounders: Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Marcus Stoinis, Prayas Ray Barman, Akshdeep Nath, Gurkeerat Singh, Shivam Dube

Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi

Fast bowlers: Kulwant Khejroliya, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mohammad Siraj, Tim Southee


Batting

Hetmyer is expected to provide the much-needed firepower in the middle
Hetmyer is expected to provide the much-needed firepower in the middle

Predominantly, RCB have always been a batsmen-heavy team. Although it is true that most of the batting is dependent upon the star batsmen, it is also true that at least one of these star batsmen have delivered for them in each season.

However, this year it was a different scenario. Prior to the auctions, RCB had three front-line batsmen: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Parthiv Patel. This meant that they had serious concerns regarding the batting aspect of the team. Nonetheless, RCB managed to draft into the side the trio of Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen and Shivam Dube.

The batting order though, might be an issue. Given that 18-year-old stylish opener Devdutt Paddikal is the only specialist opener in the side, Parthiv Patel might be a handy option along with him at the top of the order as he has tasted reasonable amount of success in the powerplay overs. However, Virat at the opening slot can also be a possibility if Klaasen bats in the middle order as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

RCB bought an additional batsman in Milind Kumar, who is also the fastest to reach 1000 runs in the Ranji Season 2018-19, which could be a game-changing move as it saves a slot that could be utilized for some of their overseas options.

However Milind Kumar along with Himmat Singh (490 runs in 11 First-Class games) might have to wait for their chance in the league.

With a solid middle order and a good bunch of all-rounders, RCB’s opening remains an enigma and fans will have to wait and watch to see who comes out to open the batting for them when the Bengaluru-based side takes the field. 

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