IPL 2018 Auction: 5 reasons why Royal Challengers Bangalore have all the bases covered

South Africa are often labeled as the chokers of the cricketing world. Royal Challengers Bangalore holds that tag when it comes to the Indian Premier League. The Bengaluru outfit often go in with star-studded teams that should be winning tournaments, however, they have never won the competition, often falling short in the play-offs. Last season was even worse for the franchise, as they could not even end up in the top-four.

But they may have made amends in the 2018 IPL auctions by signing up players who strengthen the side. Here are their top 5 signings.

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#5 Brendon McCullum– The quick-fire opener

One of the biggest problems that RCB faced last season was the opening position. While Virat Kohli did an admirable job as an opener, the fact that the Indian captain had to open with countless partners is a testament to the quagmire they were in.

None of their combinations clicked, with Chris Gayle completely out of form. However, with the acquisition of Brendon McCullum, Kohli will finally have a proper opening partner to give him the quick runs from the very beginning.

The Kiwi player needs no introduction. This is a man who set the IPL on fire in its very first game, with a blazing knock of 158 for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and his abilities cannot be doubted. With him expected to partner Kohli, RCB have a set opening pair on whom they can count upon.

#4 Colin De Grandhomme– The slogger who can bowl

Colin de Grandhomme is not only a devastating player with the bat but can chip in with a few handy overs with the ball as well. While New Zealand rely on Colin Munro to give them the runs in the top-order, the burden of getting runs in the slog overs falls on the shoulders of Grandhomme.

The Kiwi player averages 24.52 in T20s with a gargantuan strike-rate of 168.4 and having him in the team guarantees quick runs in the end overs.

In him, RCB have a player who could power them to wins from seemingly impossible positions, where the required-rate is near sky-high. With 52 wickets from 88 innings, he is also an effective bowler, who could fill up the all-rounder's slot with an over or two in every game.

#3 Washington Sundar– The X-factor

Every team needs a youngster to push them towards glory. While Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya played that role for Mumbai Indians last season, Mustafizur Rahman and Barinder Sran played carried out that responsibility for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.

Now, Royal Challengers Bangalore also have someone who could potentially be the X-factor and raise them to glory- Washington Sundar. The youngster has already made waves in domestic cricket and could finally have a breakthrough year with Bangalore.

Having already represented India in the international arena, he is someone with oodles of talent and ability. He is an off-spinner that can bat in the lower order. He has an average of 21 in T20s and has taken 21 wickets in 20 games at an economy rate of 6.48 and there is no reason why he cannot do a commendable job with RCB as well.

#2 Yuzvendra Chahal – The uncanny spinner

On Indian tracks, where there is not much of an assistance for the pacers, having a spinner in the squad is imperative and who better than leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, perhaps one of the most underrated bowlers in the world.

In 16 ODI innings, he has 27 wickets at an average of just over 25. In T20Is, the numbers are even better, as he has taken 26 wickets from only 14 innings at a strike-rate of 12.35 balls-per-wicket.

In the IPL, he has 70 wickets from 55 innings at a strike-rate of 17.01 and an average of 22.41. The only complaint against him is that he may be prone to leaking runs, but as Michael Holding says, it is the number of wickets against your name that matters in the end.

#1 Chris Woakes – An in-form speedster and a power hitter

RCB had Mitchell Starc with them in 2016, who was very good for the franchise in the games that he played. This season, Starc has gone to Kolkata Knight Riders and, as a result, RCB needed a pacer to replace him.

And who better than Chris Woakes?

Let’s look at his numbers.

In 13 innings in the IPL, he has taken 17 wickets at an average of 22.71. His economy rate might be on the higher side, at 8.77, but he is a wicket-taking bowler and in most cases, that is what truly matters.

Along with his bowling, he is in mighty form with the bat as well. Unlike before, his batting has improved tenfold. Since his ODI debut in 2011 till January 2017, he had averaged just over 22 with the bat.

But since 2017, his batting average has flown up to 67.80. Well, the stats do reveal how crucial he can be, don't they?