5 players who RCB could use their RTM card for

After having decided the players to be retained for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2018 season, the franchises are now making a list of the players who they could use the Right-to-Match card for.

RTM, which stands for Right to Match, can be availed by any team on the day of the auction. If a player (X), who played for team (Y) in the previous season, is acquired by another team (Z) in the auction, Y can use their RTM card and get X for the same amount of money for which Z bought him.

RCB made a surprise pick when they decided to retain Sarfaraz Khan along with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

In this article, we take a look at the 5 players who RCB could use their RTM card for:

#5 Chris Gayle

Given his current form, it did not come as a big surprise that the Royal Challengers Bangalore decided against retaining one of their best ever batsmen.

The self-proclaimed 'Universe Boss' had one of the worst T20I series of his life against New Zealand when he managed to score just 12 runs in three matches.

He was quite inconsistent in the IPL last season as well with just 200 runs to his name in nine innings at a strike-rate of just 122.

However, we all know what he is capable of with the bat. Given his history with the franchise and his ability to decimate any bowling opposition on his day, the RCB could still look to retaining him with an RTM card.

#4 KL Rahul

The 24-year-old lad from Karnataka had his breakthrough season in the IPL back in 2016 when he scored 397 runs in 14 matches at an average of 44.11 and a strike-rate of close to 150.

He was instrumental in their success that season and helped RCB reach the final. Unfortunately, he was injured last season and did not play a single match.

While he has been sensational in Tests over the past year or so, his form in ODIs and T20s hasn't been too great, apart from the recently concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka where he scored two half-centuries.

RCB will be allowed to use an RTM for only one Indian, so they will most likely go for either Rahul or Yuzvendra Chahal.

#3 Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav, too, had his breakthrough year in 2016 when he helped India achieve a lot of success in a few of the limited-overs series held at home.

However, he has not had the same impact in the IPL. He played just 4 matches in the 2016 season after joining RCB. In 2017, he scored 267 runs in 13 matches at an average of 22.25.

With RCB allowed to retain just one more Indian, it is highly unlikely that they would retain the 32-year-old. However, given the fact that RCB have not had a strong middle-order, they could consider retaining Jadhav with the RTM card.

#2 Samuel Badree

The 36-year-old right-arm leg-spinner from West Indies was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 but did not play a single game.

He featured in 7 matches in their disastrous campaign last year and managed to pick up 9 wickets, including a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians.

He was quite effective with the ball and was able to contain the opposition's runs as well. RCB had always had a weak foreign bowling attack in comparison to their batting line-up. Hence, they might look at retaining Badree in order to increase their bowling prowess.

#1 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal came into the limelight with his exceptional performance in the 2015 season when he picked up 23 wickets in 15 matches.

He earned his India call-up in 2016 and has become one of the world's best T20I bowlers. His economy rate might not be the best but his ability to pick up wickets at regular intervals makes him one of the best bowlers in the shortest format of the game.

He was RCB's leading wicket-taker last season as well. It came as a surprise to everyone when the team management decided against retaining him and going for Sarfaraz Khan instead.

However, he is the favourite to be retained using the RTM card and it will be interesting to see how much RCB will have to shell out to retain him.