IPL 2019: 3 youngsters who could be game changers for RCB

The 2019 IPL season is almost upon us. The 8-team mega event will kick off from 23rd March with the defending champions Chennai Super Kings taking on the fan favorites Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai. RCB has always been one of the most popular teams with fans. Despite having some of the greatest names of the game in their lineup, RCB have failed to lift the title even once.

Some superstars of the game like Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and AB de Villiers have been a part of the RCB squad in the years gone by but could not lead the team to its maiden title. Although, they did reach the finals in 2009, 2011 and the 2016 edition, but could not get past the finishing line on each occasion.

With some handy additions like Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer, RCB will be hoping to challenge for the title once again after another disappointing campaign in 2018. Let us look at the 3 youngsters who could help them secure the title.

#3. Shivam Dube

The 25-year-old all-rounder from Mumbai is one of the most exciting talents going around in Indian cricketing circles. Dube can bowl right-arm seam-ups in the 130s and is a big hitter of the cricket ball down the order. He grabbed the headlines after smashing experienced legspinner Pravin Tambe for five successive sixes in a Mumbai T20 league fixture last year.

Dube also hammered five sixes off 5 deliveries in a Ranji Trophy match against Baroda on the eve of the IPL auctions in December 2018. With the ball, he was very impressive in the Ranji trophy and has a variety of variations to bamboozle the batsmen in the death overs.

If given adequate opportunities, he can be the X-factor for the RCB and can help them secure their first ever IPL title. The Bangalore franchise has paid a huge price to acquire his services and will be hoping that he lives up to the expectations.

#2. Navdeep Saini

The 26-year old fast bowler from Delhi is one of the most impressive pacers in India. His consistent performances were one of the main reasons why Delhi reached the final of the 2017-18 Ranji trophy.

Saini picked up 7-wickets in the semi-final last year and was drafted into the Indian Test side as a replacement for Mohammad Shami. Saini is now a regular with India ‘A’ and secured a five-wicket haul against the visiting England Lions in February this year. Saini has a beautiful inswinger in his repertoire and can cause trouble with the new ball.

Although Navdeep was a part of RCB’s squad last year as well but didn’t get to play a match. While RCB have adequate Indian pace bowling options in Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav but these two tend to go for plenty in the death overs. This is where Saini can come in and showcase his skills.

#1. Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer is the next big thing to come out of the Caribbean islands. Hetmyer is also the World Cup winning captain of the West Indies U-19 team of 2016. He has played just 24 ODI's so far but already has four centuries to his name.

Unlike other Caribbean batsmen, Hetmyer is excellent against the spinners as well. He impressed everyone with his confidence and strokes against the spinners in the five-match one day series against India last year.

RCB have always had a top-heavy batting line up. Over the years the likes of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson, and AB De Villiers have all batted in the top four, thereby leaving a void lower down the order. The 22-year-old is most likely to bat at number 5 and will be given the responsibility of finishing off the RCB’s innings. His explosiveness down the order will surely come in the handy for the Bangalore based franchise.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 timetable , news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.