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

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.