IPL 2019: 3 players who can help RCB win the title this season

Virat Kohli’s RCB, every year are genuine title contenders after the auctions. Everyone, including Kohli, know the sole reason for failure: middle-order collapses and death bowling. They try to solve these issues every auction as well. Yuvraj Singh was bought for ₹14 crore to solve the middle order but failed. This time they have got many smart buys which include Shimron Hetmyer and Shivam Dubey for a combined cost of ₹9.2 crore who will definitely play a pivotal role in RCB acquiring their first title.

While RCB spent much of the auction picking up future prospects - teenage leggie Prayas Barman (₹1.5 crore), Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal (₹20 lakh), Delhi batsman Himmat Singh (₹65 lakh) and Akshdeep Nath at a curiously high ₹3.6 crore, they made no attempt to address their death bowling woes.

We all know that every year AB de Villiers and Kohli give it their all, but still RCB struggle, so it is important that the supporting characters perform. So, here are 3 players who can help RCB to win the title.

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#3 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal

With 47 wickets in the last 3 seasons, Yuzvendra Chahal has been RCB’s best bowler. He has mastered the art of bowling at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. While other bowlers get hammered more often than not, Chahal has been brilliant at home. His performances have earned him a place in the Indian team as well.

This season, the onus will be on him to deliver the goods for RCB. Although he has support in the form of Pawan Negi and Washington Sundar, they are finger spinners who do not provide many variations. Chahal will have the dual responsibility of picking up wickets as well as controlling the run flow.

If Chahal does not have a good season, it could mean disaster for RCB. It is of utmost importance for team management and Kohli to see that Chahal does not struggle. Last season, in 14 matches he took 12 wickets, and RCB failed to do well. In 2016 Chahal was second on the wicket-taking charts and RCB made it to the finals. This is no coincidence!

#2 Shivam Dube

All eyes will be on Shivam Dube

RCB spent a lot of money on the 25-year old Mumbaikar who rose to fame when he hit Pravin Tambe for 5 sixes in 1 over. Shivam Dube recreated the same magic in the Ranji Trophy match against Baroda’s Swapnil Singh a day before the IPL Auctions.

The southpaw who bowls right-armed is an explosive middle order player. He has not played in the IPL yet but can prove key in the slog overs at the Chinnaswamy with short boundaries at his disposal. With RCB struggling in the middle-order for so many years now, he brings that much-needed aggression to his team.

RCB need to finish their innings on a high if they want to have a chance to win a title. Dube will be key in that department. His bowling will prove handy to the RCB bowling as well.

#3 Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hertmyer

RCB’s costliest player in the auctions this season, Shimron Hetmyer will have a lot of pressure on his head. Every year RCB try to bring in different middle-order players to fix their situation and this year it is Hetmyer.

The 22-year old West-Indian has been part of the Windies squad for some time now following his successful U-19 World Cup campaign and CPL season. He is an explosive batsman with plenty of fire-power to deliver the goods for RCB. He will bat at No. 4 or 5 between de Villiers and Dube, which means he will also have the responsibility to anchor the innings.

RCB have struggled in this department for a long time now, and it is about time someone comes in to fill the void.

The performances of Hetmyer will make or break the season for RCB. He has to bat all through the end after Kohli and de Villiers provide a start. Although he has not yet played in the IPL yet, he has plenty of experience due to his performances in the CPL. His performances will truly be key to RCB’s season.