IPL 2019: 3 players who could be surplus at RCB

Leading into the IPL 2019 Auction held at Jaipur on December 18, 2018, Royal Challengers Bangalore were one of the teams who had retained its core. The franchise performed poorly in the 2018 season but it was poor team strategy and dismal team management that costed them. Thus, this year they persisted with the same players and tried overcoming the remaining gaps.

In the marquee event, RCB purchased as many as nine players. Their most high-profile buys were the Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube (5 crores) and Caribbean big-hitter Shimron Hetmyer (4.2 crores). They also bought the South African wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen and few other Indian players who are mostly future investments.

Quinton De Kock’s departure from the side prompted a vacancy for the opening spot. RCB failed to sign an established opener but added a number of middle-order batsmen. At a squad size of 24, Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a problem of plenty. While having a horde of backup players is crucial, these three could be surplus in the RCB dugout.

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#3. Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali

The IPL franchises have always shown a liking for the players who trouble India at the international level. Moeen Ali was a significant perpetrator in India’s failure in England. The bearded all-rounder was signed by RCB for 1.7 Crores to play in the IPL 2018.

Moeen Ali featured in five matches for the Bangalore side in the 2018 season. He did score a half-century but failed to generate an impact otherwise. He ended up with scoring 77 runs and took three wickets in the limited stint. Ali remained largely unused in the last edition and a similar fate awaits him this year.

Yuzvendra Chahal spearheads the spin attack of RCB. They have the off-spinner Washington Sundar and left-arm spinner Pawan Negi as reserves. Both are capable batsmen as well. With the Indian backups available, RCB is unlikely to select Moeen Ali as the overseas player. The Englishman might turn out to be surplus at RCB.

#2. Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini is a talented 26-year old fast bowler from Delhi. He was one of the talking points after the IPL 2018 auction as a bidding war ensued to avail his services. Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him for three crores from his base price of just 20 Lakhs. He had earlier been a part of Delhi Daredevils squad as well.

The heavy bidding did not result in Saini’s inclusion in the playing XI throughout the season. The pace bowler occupied benches for the whole 2018 IPL and is yet to get an IPL cap. RCB already possessed a good Indian pace attack and Saini found it hard to break through.

Things are still the same at the M Chinnaswamy stadium. With plenty of all-rounders available, Kohli is likely to play with two fast bowlers. One of which will be Umesh Yadav while the other will be an overseas bowler. With Mohammad Siraj already available, Saini will have to wait for his chances this season as well.

#1. Colin de Grandhomme

Colin de Grandhomme

The New Zealand all-rounder was a chief destroyer for Kolkata Knight Riders when they blew away RCB for 49 runs in the 2017 season. He was useful with the bat as well. The Bangalore franchise bid aggressively for Grandhomme in the 2018 auction and purchased him for 2.20 crores. The New Zealander featured in nine matches this season. He scored 131 runs while batting in the lower order and grabbed two wickets as well.

However, many new additions have taken place at Bangalore in the all-rounder section. RCB have acquired Marcus Stoinis via a trade. The Australian all-rounder has enjoyed more success in the IPL than Colin de Grandhomme. In addition, RCB have bought another seaming all-rounder in Shivam Dube.

With the options of Marcus Stoinis and Shivam Dube available, the Royal Challengers have Grandhomme only as a backup and not as a necessity. All three players play exactly the same role and thus Grandhomme might be a surplus at the RCB.