IPL 2019: CSK vs RCB - Predicted overseas players for RCB in the opening game

The 12th season of the cricket's most popular league will start with a blockbuster clash between CSK and RCB. Despite having no dearth of superstars, RCB has surprisingly never won the IPL. The franchise led by Virat Kohli has come close to winning the tournament a lot of times but they have never lifted the trophy.

Virat Kohli will be determined to set this record straight this time but he needs to ensure that his team gets off to a good start this season. It will not be easy though, as RCB have to face CSK in the opening match of the tournament.

CSK are the defending champions and joint most successful team in the history of the tournament. While Virat Kohli can single-handedly win matches on his day, but on most days even he needs help from his teammates. RCB will need their overseas professionals to rise to the occasion if they want to beat CSK.

#4 Colin de Grandhomme

Colin de Grandhomme

While the teams make a strategy to stop the likes the Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, someone like Colin de Grandhomme can go under the radar. CSK should ignore the threat posed by Grandhomme at their own peril. The Kiwi all-rounder has the ability to hit the ball out of the ground in the death overs.

If RCB can get off to a good start, then de Grandhomme will come into the game in the slog overs. If he is in touch, it would be very difficult for CSK bowlers to stop him from running away with the game. He had a strike rate of 155 in the last season of the IPL which is enough to give sleepless nights to CSK bowlers.

If the conditions aid swing, he can come into the game with the ball as well. He can move the new ball especially under the floodlights, it might be difficult to tackle him.

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#3 Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer is one of the most exciting emerging talents in world cricket right now. The fact that ICC named him among five emerging players of 2018 is a testament to the incredible talent he possesses.

The 22-year-old from Guyana gave a glimpse of his talent to the Indian crowd in the ODI series against India. The left-hander is a very attacking batsman who can move the game forward in the middle overs. In the last few seasons, we have seen that RCB struggles in the middle overs if they lose wickets of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers early.

Hetmyer can ensure that RCB's middle order is not exposed in such situations. He can hold the innings together and form good partnerships with the lower middle order. RCB understood his importance, that is why they decided to pay 4.2 crore rupees in the IPL auction to acquire his services.

#3 Tim Southee

Tim Southee

RCB has a lot of talented batsmen but their bowling attack has been their Achilles heel in the last few seasons. This is where the presence of someone like Tim Southee can be a crucial factor. The Kiwi fast bowler has the ability to pick early wickets which can break the back of CSK batting line up.

Early wickets can put pressure on CSK, which will help Yuzvendra Chahal in strangling them in the middle overs. What makes Southee special is his ability to bowl differently in different match situations and different conditions.

He bowls outswingers at a brisk pace with the new ball as he aims for wickets. If the pitch is damp, he bowls off-cutters which look like fast off-spin. Southee can also bowl yorkers in the death which makes it difficult to score runs off his bowling. He can be a good hitter down the order, his cameos with the bat can be crucial especially in close matches.

#1 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is one of the most popular players in the world. It is rare to see Indian crowd chanting for someone who is playing against their team but ABD is not a normal cricketer. While he is very popular among fans, he is not as popular among bowlers who have been destroyed time and again by him.

The South African legend announced his retirement from International cricket in 2018 which meant that he can focus more on T20 leagues. Mr.360 has been successful in whichever league he has played and has been in great form coming into the IPL.

He has an incredible record in the IPL, where he features among the top-scorers in the history of the competition in spite of batting in the middle order. He has scored those runs at the unbelievable strike rate of more than 150. If ABD is in the mood, there is barely Dhoni and his bowlers would be able to do to stop him.