IPL 2019: One benched player from each team who can fit well in RCB's playing XI

It has been a long and disappointing history for Royal Challengers Bangalore when the talk comes to the Indian Premier League. The Bold Army could not lift the IPL trophy so far in 11 years despite qualifying for the final thrice.

Led by the top cricketer of the world, Virat Kohli, the side has once again disappointed their fans as they have got off to a disastrous start in IPL 2019. They are at the last position on the points table in this year’s IPL and they have just secured 1 win in the 8 matches they have played.

Kohli has not been at his best in the captaincy department as he has failed to find the right balance in his side which could win the IPL title. Questionable fielding placements and inability to find an ideal playing XI have been the talk of the town in terms of Virat’s captaincy.

As compared to RCB, the rest of the 7 teams are performing better in this edition of IPL.

Amongst those 7 teams, there is one benched player from each team who could walk into RCB’s playing XI. This article features that one benched player from each team who could fit well in RCB.

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#1 Murali Vijay (Chennai Super Kings)

Murali Vijay has not got the chance to play for CSK in IPL 2019 so far.

Chennai Super Kings are once again leading the points table of IPL 2019 after securing 7 wins in 9 matches. Led by the legendary MS Dhoni, the Chennai side has once again held the heads of their fans high with their outstanding performances. The yellow brigade once again holds the highest probability to lift the IPL title just like the previous year.

With Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis in the side, the side has not given a single chance to Murali Vijay to open the innings for them. Vijay used to be the prime opener for CSK during the initial years of IPL. He has so far scored 2,523 runs in the history of IPL which demonstrates his talent.

He could have solved RCB’s opening woes if he was in that squad. Vijay and Parthiv Patel might have proven to be very handy with Kohli at No. 3.

#2 Martin Guptill (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Martin Guptill was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2019.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have not made their mark in this year’s IPL so far as compared to the previous one. Last year they ended their IPL season as the runners-up. Now led by Kane Williamson, SRH is currently 5th on the points table with 4 wins out of 8 matches. The Orange Army’s openers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow have been in prime form in this year’s edition.

The side has got five of their best overseas players in the form of Bairstow, Warner, Williamson, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, who can dominate any opposition. As only 4 foreign players are allowed to play, the side’s other overseas talent Martin Guptill has not got the chance to play.

So if Guptill would have featured in the RCB squad in 2019, he might have come out as a top batsman in this season.

#3 Evin Lewis (Mumbai Indians)

Ewin Lewis may not get the chance to play for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019.

Mumbai Indians have got some of the best foreign players in this year’s IPL. The Mumbai camp immense talent in both the foreign and Indian departments. Players like Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan and Alzarri Joseph mostly feature as MI’s overseas players in all the games pertaining to their top class skills.

In such a case, it has been a disadvantage for one of the best T20 players on Earth like Evin Lewis. Lewis showcased an ideal form in his first IPL season which he played in the year 2018 for the Mumbai side. He scored the total of 382 runs in 13 matches at a healthy strike rate of 138.40.

He has not played a single match for his side in this year’s IPL. So, in spite of just warming the bench, if he would have got a chance to play for RCB, then he might have proven to be a match-winner for them owing to his strong wrist power.

#4 Moises Henriques (Kings XI Punjab)

Moises Henriques injured himself just before playing his first match for KXIP in IPL 2019.

Kings XI Punjab have been doing well in the 12th edition of IPL. The side is currently in great form as they have bagged 5 wins out of 9 matches and are currently 4th on the points table. Led by off-spinner R Ashwin, the side may go on to win their first IPL title in this year pertaining to their dedication and form.

However, it has been a bit of bad luck for the franchise as their star player, Moises Henriques got injured minutes before making his debut for KXIP in their 8th match of IPL 2019. David Miller took his place and in a way cemented his own position by playing a crucial innings. On the other side, Henriques seems to have recovered from the injury well but still he may not make it to the playing XI owing to the form of David Miller.

Henriques is a guy who can turn the tables in favour of his side in any situation owing to his all-around skills. If he would have been a part of RCB, then he could have solved their problem of a quality batting all-rounder.

#5 Oshane Thomas (Rajasthan Royals)

The Rajasthan Royals bought Oshane Thomas for 1.1 crores in IPL 2019.

The Rajasthan franchise has not impressed their fans in this year’s IPL so far pertaining to their poor form. In spite of having the top players like Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Steve Smith, the side has won just 2 out of their 8 games. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the side may not be successful in qualifying for the playoffs of IPL 2019 if they continue playing like this.

However, they have got some quality bowlers in the side who have not got the chance to play so far. Oshane Thomas from West Indies is one such guy who has potential but has not played so far. The pink army bought him for ₹1.1 crore in the auction of IPL 2019 but have not utilised him until now.

He could have been the best fast bowler for RCB as their bowling department has been the weakest among all. He would have proved to be the main pacer for RCB if he had got the chance to play for them.

#6 Sandeep Warrier (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sandeep Warrier has been a part of RCB in the past.

At the domestic level, Sandeep Warrier has been a top-class pacer for Kerala and he is currently in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for IPL 2019. He was a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad from 2013 to 2015. However, he was released by the side later.

He was recently bought by the KKR camp for IPL 2019 as a replacement player owing to his incredible domestic form. He has remained the star bowler for Kerala in various domestic tournaments. However, he has not got the chance to play for KKR in the 8 matches concluded so far.

He might not get the chance to play for Kolkata as they already have a very strong bowling line-up. But, this might have not been the case had he been a part of the RCB side. The presence of Warrier would have given Kohli more options in the fast bowling department.

#7 Sherfane Rutherford (Delhi Capitals)

Sherfane Rutherford was bought by Delhi Capitals for 2 crores in IPL 2019

Delhi Capitals are known for bidding on youngsters and freshers in the auction. The side believes more in new faces than the experienced players. Following that ideology, they bought a new face from West Indies named Sherfane Rutherford, who had a record in the domestic tournaments.

Rutherford even proved himself as a match winner in the Global T20 Canada league which he played last year. His CPL performances are also up to the mark which attracted a huge amount towards him in the IPL auction 2019. But somehow, Shreyas Iyer is not able to place him in the playing XI.

The story might have been different for Rutherford had he been a part of the RCB squad in IPL 2019. It would have been better had RCB went for Rutherford instead of Shimron Hetmyer in the auction.