IPL 2019: Could this be RCB's year?
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have almost always had the best squad on paper but an IPL title has remained elusive to them. Over the years, they have boasted off a number of world class cricketers in their ranks like Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Cameron White, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Chris Gayle and many more.
This year too, they have a well balanced squad and it remains to be seen if they can challenge for their maiden IPL title.
The Bangalore franchise splurged on all rounders in the IPL 2019 players auction, making a number of smart buys in the process. South African all rounder Heinrich Klaasen at INR 50 lakh was a steal! It remains to be seen as to how he'll fit in though.
RCB went all out to sign Mumbai all rounder Shivam Dube, acquiring his services for a whooping INR 5 crore. Dube had a few heads turning after he smashed five sixes in an over in a Ranji Trophy match against Baroda.
RCB sold Quinton De Kock to Mumbai Indians in the trade window which could prove to be a blunder as the talented South African has hit a rich vein of form in the build up to the tournament. The inclusion of Marcus Stoinis though, could work wonders for RCB as he is a handy lower order batsman and exceptionally economical with the ball.
Skipper Kohli has a number of options in his arsenal and it is up to him to use them well. It will be a task cut out for him to choose the four overseas players as only AB De Villers is a certainty. On a personal note, Kohli would want to set the records straight in the IPL, a tournament in which he hasn't had a lot of success.
World cup winning coach Gary Kirsten too has a point to prove in the IPL and he will be eager to show the world what he is capable of in the twenty over format of the game. The Kohli-Kirsten partnership could work wonders for RCB in IPL 12.
RCB will be up against the mighty Chennai Super Kings in the season opener on March 23. They will have their task cut out against the defending champions who are sure to come out firing on all cylinders.
As always, the Bangalore franchise has what it takes to win the tournament, but will they deliver? Only time will tell.