IPL 2021: 3 players who shone and 2 who flopped for RCB in first phase of the tournament
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are among the sides that had a successful first phase of IPL 2021. Placed third in the IPL points table below Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the side has seen a resurgence of sorts and has been in the news with some personnel changes and new acquisitions.
RCB are scheduled to take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first match of the second phase of the tournament in the UAE on September 20. The Bengaluru-based franchise will be keen to continue their good run and hopefully break the trophy drought. Virat Kohli & co are among the teams, along with Delhi, yet to win IPL silverware and will be hoping for a winning run this time around.
That said, the team will be keen to iron out some of the creases from the first half despite the performances of some of their sign-ups. We take a look at three of their players who shone in the first half and two who flopped.
Three players who have had a solid outing for RCB
#1 Glenn Maxwell
Matches: 7, Runs: 223, Avg: 37.16, SR: 144.80
Glenn Maxwell was RCB's second-biggest acquisition for IPL 2021 and the veteran delivered. He notched up two fifties and had a couple of starts, becoming the side's most reliable No.4. and the team's most runs scorer in IPL.
Maxwell's best knock came against KKR, where he smashed a 49-ball 78 to help his side register a comprehensive 38-run win.
See the full list of IPL 2021 squad.
#2 AB de Villiers
Matches: 7, Runs: 207, Avg: 51.75, SR: 164.28
The South African has been RCB's pillar, along with Virat Kohli, for quite some time now. In the first phase this year, AB proved he still has the finisher in him with 207 runs from seven games. He set the tone with a 27-ball 48 in the team's first match against the Mumbai Indians and followed it up with scintillating knocks against Kolkata (76*) and Delhi (75*).
RCB will be hoping their Protean star fires as they head into the UAE leg as favorites.
#3 Harshal Patel
Matches: 7, Wickets: 17, BBI: 5/27
The Haryana quick was back in the RCB fold as part of the side's trade with Delhi. He announced his comeback to the team with a maiden fifer against Mumbai in the first match of the IPL 2021.
His 5/27 was just the start as Patel went on to claim 12 more wickets over the course of the first phase of the season. Patel has been Bangalore's most successful bowler this edition, with Kyle Jamieson (nine wickets) and Mohammed Siraj (six) ranking below him.