IPL 2019, RCB vs KKR: 3 players likely to play their first match for RCB this season

The Royal Challengers Banglore are all ready to host Kolkata Knight Riders on the 5th of April. KKR are coming off a heartbreaking loss in the super over against Delhi Capitals after their biggest star Andre Russell failed to get them across the line. They look a settled team and will look to continue with their record of winning against RCB.

Meanwhile, RCB has struggled everywhere. They have had batting collapses, inexperienced death bowling, fielding mishaps, and nothing has gone right for them. They would desperately want to turn around their fortunes and it is high time that they do so. With KKR coming in with such a good and balanced side, RCB will have to be at their best or else they might fail to open their account for the season on the points table.

Virat Kohli at the end of the last match against Rajasthan hinted that he could make a lot of changes and drop people who are not performing. With a good bench and players who have the skill and the temperament to win them matches, Kohli will not hesitate before making those changes. Let us have a look at three players who could be playing their first game this season for RCB:

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#3. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar is yet to play a game for RCB this season (Picture Courtesy- BCCI/iplt20.com)

Washington Sundar might finally get a game in the match against KKR. It is quite surprising that RCB haven't played the right-arm offspinner yet. He is a quality player who can bowl in the power play as well as open the batting for his team. He was exceptional under the captaincy of Steve Smith, playing for Rising Pune Superiants in 2017 and will look to repeat that kind of a performance this year. He has also opened the bowling for India a few times and has performed well whenever given the chance

With Moeen Ali looking awfully out of touch, Sundar could be an able replacement for him. Moeen has scored just 42 runs in the 4 matches that he has played and has gone wicketless in the past three games while leaking runs at an extremely high rate.

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#2. Heinrich Klaasen

Can Heinrich Klaasen make a difference

RCB's biggest problem across all seasons is that they have relied heavily on Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers. Over-dependence on these two players have led to a lot of failures and the inclusion of Shimron Hetmyer was a step in solving the problem. However, the West Indian hitter has just failed to get going in this IPL. In the four knocks that he has played, he has scores of 0, 5, 9, and 1. He has been an absolute liability on his team and Heinrich Klaasen makes a perfect case for himself at the Number five spot.

Klaasen can also open the innings with RCB if required and he can be an asset to the team in both positions. The biggest advantage that RCB gets by playing him in the match against KKR is that he has already faced Kuldeep Yadav in South Africa in 2018 and showed he can read the left-arm wrist spinner well.

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#1. Tim Southee

Is RCB's missing Tim Southee's experience?

If there is one thing RCB have absolutely gotten wrong this year, it is the exclusion of Tim Southee from the team. His experience in death bowling is unparalleled and he is a hard hitter of the ball too. Navdeep Saini should make way for the Kiwi star. Despite bowling at quick speeds, Saini has been wicketless in all the matches that he has played and a touch expensive too.

With RCB failing to find the right balance in their bowling department, Tim Southee can answer all the questions. He is a terrific bowler and can save runs in the death for Kohli's men. He can open the bowling for his team and nip out a wicket or two in the power play, something RCB has been unable to do this season. Southee's yorkers are accurate and his slower ball is not easy to play.

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