IPL 2019: 5 Players who could be released by RCB

The IPL craze is exponentially soaring high as we get closer to the retention and auction dates. We are yet to reach the retention/release deadline, and we have already witnessed a few embarking swap deals between the franchises.

Amongst all the teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore have been continually in the headlines owing to their two famous deals - Quinton de Kock and Mandeep Singh. In October 2018, RCB sold Quinton de Kock to Mumbai Indians to strike the first deal of the 2019 season. Carrying on the same lines, RCB effect a swap deal with Kings XI Punjab where they released Mandeep Singh while swapping Marcus Stoinis against him.

RCB is expected to make many more releases ahead of the deadline as they have had a sorry run in IPL 2018 where they finished sixth in the points table. Hence, Bangalore will look to reconstruct their playing combination while structuring some changes in their squad.

Thus, in this feature, we will have a look at five players whom Royal Challengers Bangalore could release ahead of the retention cum release deadline.

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#5 Sarfaraz Khan

RCB might reconsider their decision of retaining Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan, the youngest Indian player to feature in the extravagant league, made his IPL debut in 2015. Khan had a fantastic IPL 2015 as he armored the role of a score-booster for RCB where he showcased his arsenal of innovative shots. His great run in IPL continued in 2016, though he didn't get many chances to bat, he scored runs at a strike-rate of 212.90.

However, an injury ruled him out of the IPL 2017. But given Royal Challengers Bangalore's faith in him, Sarfaraz was retained for the 2018 season of IPL - retention that blew everyone's mind. Nonetheless, it didn't prove to be a good move from Bangalore as the Mumbai-born batsman struggled considerably to get going in the league.

In 2018, Sarfaraz Khan played seven matches while scoring 51 runs at a below-par average of 10.20 and a modest strike-rate of 124.39. Hence, after having a close look at his numbers, Bangalore could take the hard decision of releasing Sarfaraz Khan ahead of the 12th season of IPL. Releasing Sarfaraz, Bangalore might go for another Indian uncapped batsman who could instill a sense of solidity in their middle-order.

Thus, Sarfaraz could be one of the swap deals or say releases for Bangalore ahead of the upcoming season of the valiant league.

#4 Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum seems to have lost that midas touch

Brendon McCullum, one of New Zealand's finest wicket-keeper batsmen, has been a regular name in many T20 leagues across the world primarily because of his attacking batting and athletic fielding. However, since a year or so, McCullum seems to have lost his Midas touch as he has failed considerably across various T20 leagues.

McCullum had a decent 2017-18 season of BBL where he scored 248 runs at an average of 24.80 and a strike-rate of 135.52. However, he failed to replicate the same in IPL 2018. In IPL 2018, he played six games for RCB where he amassed 127 runs at an average of 21.16 and a strike-rate of 144.31 - pretty average numbers (except the strike-rate) for a T20 opener.

Besides, he had a sorry run in Afghanistan Premier League 2018 where he notched up only 158 runs at an average of 19.75 and a strike-rate of 105.33. The numbers are quite demotivating for a batsman of McCullum's caliber and stature.

Hence, after deliberating upon it, RCB might release the veteran right-hander to offset a better deal. One might argue that Quinton de Kock's release doesn't justify McCullum's exit as RCB would be minus their two experienced openers.

However, with Parthiv Patel, Manan Vohra, and Virat Kohli in the contention for the opening slot, Bangalore could afford to release McCullum. Besides, the move would help RCB to recruit an experienced man in the middle-order.

#3 Kulwant Khejroliya

Kulwant Khejroliya showed promise but failed to continue the same in the coming matches

Kulwant Khejroliya burst onto the IPL scenes in the 2018 season of the edition. After a brief stint with Mumbai Indians, though he didn't get a chance to play, the left-arm pacer landed a whopping INR 85 lakh deal with RCB for 2018. He made his IPL debut against KKR where he went wicket-less.

Having played three matches in IPL 2018, Khejroliya scalped two wickets at an average of 53.5, strike-rate of 32.5, and an economy of 9.88. After a series of off performances, he didn't get a longer run. Hence, the seamer might be one of those players who will face the exit gates from Bangalore management for the upcoming season of IPL.

In addition to that, emerging talents like Rajneesh Gurbani could tempt Bangalore franchise to look for other prospective options in their bowling lineup.

Moreover, with IPL's chances to shift out to South Africa, the Bangalore management might get coaxed to replace Kulwant in pursuit of other fast bowlers who would assist them in the windy conditions.

#2 Tim Southee

Tim Southee picked only five wickets in IPL 2018

Tim Southee, a New Zealand fast bowling prospect, happens to be one of the best fast bowlers at the moment, especially in the swinging conditions. Having played 37 IPL games, Southee has had a decent amount of IPL experience. Before grabbing an INR 1 crore deal with RCB at 2018 IPL Auctions, Tim had represented three IPL teams namely Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians.

Southee featured in eight matches for RCB in IPL 2018 and took five wickets at an average of 52.20. A strike-rate of 34.80 and an economy of 9 does not make for pretty reading. Hence, he can be one of those overseas players who can get the axing for the upcoming edition of IPL.

Notwithstanding Southee's experience, the IPL works on supply and demand. Bangalore could wander the market to recruit other overseas talents who have had a decent run in the 2018 season.

Although Southee would have been a great option considering IPL's chances to shift to South Africa, RCB could instead go for Proteas bowlers who have been excellent in those conditions.

#1 Pawan Negi

Pawan Negi shot to fame when he bagged a mountainous INR 8.5 Crore deal with Delhi Daredevils at 2016 IPL Auctions. However, the pressure of that deal piled an immense amount of pressure on the all-rounder and resulted in a string of failures for him in the 2016 edition of IPL.

Nonetheless, Pawan made a great comeback in IPL 2017 where he bagged a deal with RCB for INR 1 crore. Negi donned RCB jersey twelve times in IPL 2017 while grabbing 16 wickets at an average of 12.31, a strike-rate of 12.06, and an economy of 6.12 - extraordinary numbers for the likes of a left-arm orthodox bowler.

Entirely depending upon the numbers, RCB used an RTM card for Negi in 2018 IPL Auctions. However, we witnessed a yet another twist in Negi's fate as he didn't have a good run in IPL 2018. He played only two matches for RCB where he scalped just a single wicket. Besides, his bat didn't speak as well - scoring just three runs from two innings. RCB seemed to have found no specific place for Negi in IPL 2018 which is why he was left out in most of the games.

Thus, while looking at their demands ahead of the next edition of IPL, the Bangalore management could release the left-arm spinner ahead of IPL 2019. In place of Negi, RCB could opt for specialist all-rounders for their 2019 campaign.