IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore Squad - Complete list of players

Royal Challengers Bangalore had a rather forgetful IPL season in 2018. They failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished sixth on the points table with six wins from their 14 games.

The Bangalore franchise had to pay a high price for their selection blunders and poor team management. The think tank failed to figure out the correct playing XI for the first 10-12 matches. As a result, RCB had just three wins to show from 10 matches. They later gathered the steam and won three consecutive games but it was not enough.

Leading into the IPL 2019 Auction, RCB traded Quinton de Kock to Mumbai Indians. The Royal Challengers enjoyed a fantastic haul in the player's auction as they managed to enlist Windies sensation Shimron Hetmyer and Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube. Heinrich Klaasen was also bought at a steal price to replace De Kock.

RCB have assembled a 24-man squad for IPL 2019. With the batting maestros Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers at the top, they have a formidable batting unit. Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal complete a competitive bowling attack.

For the upcoming IPL season, here is how RCB’s complete squad looks.

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Batsmen

AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli

Openers: Parthiv Patel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal

Middle-order: Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Himmat Singh, Akshdeep Nath, Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen (wk)

Royal Challengers Bangalore traded away de Kock but failed to recruit a dashing opener in his place. They ultimately bought Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal for 20 Lakhs. Parthiv Patel will be in line to be his opening partner unless the management thinks out of the box.

The middle-order is the shining department of this team. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are all-time great batsmen and together they can destroy any bowling attack. RCB improved on this with Shimron Hetmyer (4.2 crores). The left-hander from the Caribbean is an explosive batsman.

Himmat Singh and Akshdeep Nath are emerging talents from the Indian domestic cricket. 22-year old Himmat hails from Delhi and will be a tantalizing prospect. Akshdeep Nath has been a consistent performer for Uttar Pradesh.

South African wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen disappointed in his debut stint with RR, he will be hoping to impress the franchise this year.

All-rounders

Shivam Dube

Pace all-rounders: Colin de Grandhomme, Marcus Stoinis, Shivam Dube

Spin all-rounders: Moeen Ali, Washinton Sunder, Pawan Negi, Milind Kumar, Gurkeerat Singh

The all-rounder section of Royal Challengers Bangalore oozes with talent. They had a similar roster last year, but it took them long to figure out whom to play with. The most exciting name in the list is of Shivam Dube. The big-hitting all-rounder from Mumbai was bought for five crores. This will be his debut IPL season.

Colin de Grandhomme and Marcus Stoinis are both medium-pacers and attacking batsmen. They will add muscles to the team, and the management knows what to expect from them.

Washington Sundar had an off-season last year. He is back from a serious injury and can be excellent support for Chahal. Moeen Ali is a fantastic utility player to have. He can bat anywhere in the lineup and his off-spin provides the team with another bowling option.

Gurkeerat Singh is a livewire in the field. Playing for KXIP, he has contributed in short bursts and shall be useful for RCB as another floater. Pawan Negi, the left-arm spinner, is another worthwhile option as a second spinner. Milind Kumar plundered runs in this Ranji Trophy season for Sikkim. He earns a deserving IPL break. He can plug gaps in the middle order if needed.

Bowlers

Umesh Yadav

Pace bowlers: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mohammad Siraj, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Kulwant Khejroliya

Spin bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Prayas Ray Burman

Bowling has been RCB’s Achilles heel. Despite batsmen scoring mountains of runs, their bowlers have succumbed on crucial moments to concede the match. Last year, Umesh Yadav was a stand-out performer. The pace bowler bowled with fury in the powerplay overs and gave RCB a promising start. However, death overs remained a grave concern and opposition made the most of it.

Nathan Coulter-Nile’s injury was a big blow to the RCB side. His participation this year will improve the scenario. Tim Southee is another skilled overseas bowler but his recent white-ball form has not been too pleasing.

The Indian pace bowling contingent is rich with youth. While their pace is threatening, their poor control over the line and length can cost the team. Mohammad Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya are all capable bowlers if they can bowl with discipline.

One half of India’s wrist-spin duo, Yuzvendra Chahal, remains the ace of this bowling lineup. The intelligent leggie had a disappointing IPL 2018 by his own standards. He will seek a strong comeback this year. Prayas Ray Burman is a 16-year old prodigy. He was the leading wicket-taker for Bengal in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy.