5 new players that can help RCB win their maiden title

Royal Challengers Bangalore is probably the most unfortunate team in the competition to have made it to the finals thrice but still deprived of an IPL title.

While their batting line-up is feared by most teams and is surely discussed over and over again in team meetings, it is their over-dependence on the big guns and a weak bowling attack that has plagued them in the past seasons.

However, the RCB think tank seems to have plugged those gaps with some smart buys in the auction this year. Here are 5 players that can help RCB win their maiden title.

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#5 Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson's all-around ability is going to be a great addition to RCB

The 27-year-old Kiwi all-rounder has been roped in as a replacement for Australian speedster Nathan Coulter-Nile. Anderson, who represented Mumbai Indians (2014-15) and Delhi Daredevils (2017), can prove to be a useful finisher in the lower middle order.

In his previous IPL outings, Anderson scored 521 runs in 26 innings at a strike rate of 129.92. The left-arm medium pacer also bagged 8 wickets in 19 innings. Anderson’s presence in the squad will give RCB the depth that they have been lacking, along with the extra option of a seamer if any of the frontline bowlers have a bad day.

#4 Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes was the joint highest wicket-taker for KKR last season

The 29-year-old English pacer is an experienced T20 campaigner and has over 100 games to his credit. Woakes played for KKR last season and was the joint highest wicket-taker for them with Umesh Yadav. In 13 appearances, he picked up 17 wickets at an economy of 8.77.

Interestingly, in the auctions, RCB picked all four of KKR’s pacers – Colin de Grandhomme, Umesh Yadav, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Woakes – that bowled out RCB for 49. Woakes took 3 wickets in his 2 overs giving away just 6 runs in that game. RCB can use Woakes with the new ball as well as in the death overs.

#3 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav will fill RCB's void of a good Indian pace bowler

Over the years, RCB has lacked quality Indian pacers and that void cost them the game on several occasions. With almost 100 IPL games, Yadav fits the bill perfectly. Not only does he bring in experience but also the ability to take wickets at will.

In his 99 IPL appearances for Delhi Daredevils (2009-13) and KKR (2014-17), he has taken 95 wickets at an economy of 8.29. In the last season for KKR, he was the joint highest wicket-taker, bagging 17 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 8.45.

RCB now have a handy new ball bowler who can rattle the opposition with his sheer pace.

#2 Brendon McCullum

McCullum is one of the most experienced T20 players in the world

A name synonymous with T20 cricket, Brendon McCullum has played as many as 329 games around the world in the T20 format. Bangalore would vividly remember the first game of the IPL where McCullum scored 158* for KKR against them.

Using McCullum at the top of the order would give Kohli a breather as well as a chance to bat at his original position. In his 112 IPL appearances for KKR (2008-10 and 2012-13), KTK (2011), CSK (2014-15) and GL (2017), he has scored 2956 runs at a strike rate of 131.31 and an average of 27.88.

Any team would be happy to have McCullum’s services.

#1 Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar would be hoping that his good form continues

The 18-year-old all-rounder from Tamil Nadu has been a great find for the game of cricket. His ability to bowl with the new ball with the field restrictions makes him a valuable addition to the RCB squad. Sundar impressed everyone in his debut season last year with RPS. In 11 matches he picked up 8 wickets at an economy of 6.16.

He continued his good form in the recently concluded tri-series between India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh where he took 9 wickets in 6 games at an economy of 5.66. Sundar’s addition to the team means that Kohli can use him up front to contain the opposition and then use him in the middle overs to give support to Chahal.

Author's Playing XI for RCB

Brendon McCullum

Parthiv Patel/Manan Vohra

Virat Kohli

AB de Villiers

Mandeep Singh

Corey Anderson

Pawan Negi

Washington Sundar

Chris Woakes

Yuzvendra Chahal

Umesh Yadav