IPL 2019: 3 underrated players who can help RCB win their first title

The 12th edition of Indian Premier League - IPL 2019 - will kick off on March 23 with defending champions Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The first 11 seasons have been highly successful, with the tournament blooding a plethora of young talent and showcasing high quality cricket. CSK have won 3 IPL titles whereas RCB are yet to lift the trophy.

Having come agonizingly close to triumph three times, RCB will again be craving for silverware this season. And this time they might be better-placed to cross the finish line than in previous years.

For most of the first 11 seasons, RCB had a lopsided squad - highly skewed in favor of batting. But this year, they have added new dimensions to their squad. Apart from a heavy batting lineup, the team is now blessed with decent fast bowlers and steadfast spinners.

Umesh Yadav will lead the pace attack whereas Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar will constitute the spin attack. The presence of bona fide all-rounders – Marcus Stoinis, Colin de Grandhomme and Moeen Ali - will certainly give RCB an edge.

The strong will of Virat Kohli doubled with a competent squad means anything less than the IPL trophy will be a huge disappointment for Bengaluru's fans. On that note, let's take a look at 3 underrated players who can help RCB win IPL 2019.

1. Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer

The 22-year-old left-handed batsman from Guyana has been earmarked as a future star. He has already scored 4 ODI centuries in just 22 ODIs at a strike-rate of 109.29. One of these 4 centuries, one came against India in India.

Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired the services of Hetmyer for INR 4.2 crore. With RCB already having Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers in the team, Hetmyer will further add to their batting riches.

Also, him being left-handed means that RCB will get a new dynamism in the middle overs as he will be able to neutralize left-arm orthodox and wrist-spinners (with their stock ball turning into the left hander).

Hetmyer's most recent exploits include an innings of 104* off 83 balls against a varied England attack. Also, the prior experience of playing in Indian conditions will work in his favor.

If Hetmyer shines, then RCB could well win their maiden IPL trophy.

2. Tim Southee

Tim Southee

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee will partner Umesh Yadav on the fast bowling front. Bowling in the high 130s, Southee is primarily a swing bowler, but over the years his death bowling skills have tremendously improved.

The 30-year-old has player over 150 T20 games and has 67 T20I wickets to his name in just 58 matches.

In the recent T20I series against India, Southee bowled impressively. He claimed 3/17 in the first match which helped bundle India out for 139. And in the last T20I of the series he defended 16 runs from the last over to set up a 2-1 victory.

With the New Zealand cricket board allowing their players to take full part in the IPL ahead of the World Cup, Southee will not have to leave mid-season.

Southee has captained Blackcaps in the shortest version of game, which means that if Kohli is rested for a few games he will also provide a captaincy option to the Bangalore franchise.

3. Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis

All-rounders are the heart and soul of a T20 team. The varied skills they bring to the table are often underappreciated, but they go a long way in determining the success of a side.

In the last few years, RCB have lacked quality all-rounders but this year they have filled this void in the form of Marcus Stoinis. RCB traded Marcus Stoinis from Kings XI Punjab in exchange for Mandeep Singh.

Playing for Melbourne Stars in this year’s Big Bash, Stoinis made contributions with both bat and ball. With the bat he amassed 533 runs in 13 games, and with the ball in hand he picked 14 wickets.

For Australia, he often bowls in the death overs and has a deceptive slower ball up his sleeve. Kohli will also look to use Stoinis at back end of the innings – an area in which RCB have been found wanting over the years.

Stoinis will lend balance to the RCB side and will look to quench their thirst for an IPL triumph.

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