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The 12th edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League is upon us and all the eight franchises are busy preparing for yet another gruelling season during the hot and humid Indian summer. Three-time runners-up, Royal Challengers Bangalore led by the flamboyant Indian skipper Virat Kohli will be hoping to turn things around this time after failing to secure a playoff berth last season.
They seem to have found the right balance and will be hoping to make it big this season. They kick off their season when they take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the season opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 23rd. Meanwhile, RCB's first home game of this season is scheduled on March 28th against Mumbai Indians. Let us now look at three International players who will hold the key for RCB's success this season!
#3 Marcus Stoinis
Kings XI Punjab trading Marcus Stoinis to RCB has been regarded as one of the major pre-season blunders. The Australian all-rounder, who began his IPL career with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2015, made his debut in the following season for Kings XI Punjab.
The 29-year-old did not have a memorable stint with the Mohali-based franchise having managed 262 runs and 13 wickets across three seasons (2016-2018). An ideal T20 player, Stoinis is capable of delivering with the bat low down the order apart from his economical spells.
He has emerged as one of the permanent fixtures in the Australian limited-overs side given his all-round exploits and is now regarded as a vital cog in the defending champions' lineup for the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Stoinis was a part of the Australian squad that won the T20I as well as the ODI series against hosts India under Aaron Finch recently. His addition gives the much-needed balance for the RCB squad which the players like Corey Anderson, Chris Woakes and Colin de Grandhomme failed to provide last season.
Skipper Virat Kohli would be hoping that Stoinis replicates his limited-overs success while donning the RCB jersey this season. With 1514 runs and 59 wickets (in T20s) under his belt, the Aussie would be hoping to make a mark for the Bangalore franchise in the lucrative Indian Premier League this season. Will the team change pave a way for the change of fortunes for Stoinis. Well, let's wait and watch!
#2 Shimron Hetmyer
The 2016 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup-winning skipper is one of the hottest prospects in world cricket right now. This will be the first ever IPL stint for Shimron Hetmyer who was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 4.2 crore at the 2019 IPL auction.
The Guyanese had a memorable outing during the 2018 Caribbean Premier League, emerging as the third highest run-getter having amassed 440 runs in 12 matches at a strike-rate of 148.14 for the eventual runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors.
The explosive southpaw has been exceptional across formats for the West Indies especially in the limited overs scoring runs at ease- courtesy his big-hitting abilities. Already regarded as IPL's batting powerhouse, the addition of Hetmyer would further strengthen the Royal Challengers.
An automatic choice in the XI, Hetmyer would be one of the vital cogs for RCB's success this season and captain Kohli would be hoping that the youngster continues his exploits with the bat for the Bangalore franchise.
#1 AB de Villiers
Who else, if not 'the Superman from South Africa'! AB de Villiers who decided to retire from all forms of International cricket on May 23 last year, shocked the entire cricketing fraternity with his unexpected decision. It came as a huge surprise for the fans who wanted the batting great to represent his nation at least until the 2019 World Cup.
Nevertheless, he continues playing the domestic T20 leagues across the globe including the Mzansi Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League and of course the IPL.
The swashbuckling player is someone who can change the course of a game in no time and his ability to play a wide range of shots sets him apart from other batsmen. Although it's saddening that even after 11 editions a player of his calibre is yet to lay hands on the IPL trophy, the fact that RCB looks more formidable than ever this season augurs well for ABD who will once again look to dominate the IPL with his willow.
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