IPL 2019: Six players RCB can drop before the next season

Hopes were high from Royal Challengers Bangalore at the beginning of the season. RCB had made wholesome changes in it's squad and bought were some exciting players at the auction. But as it turned out to be, it was yet another disappointing IPL season for the men in red and black.

After losing their first six matches this season, RCB showed signs of making a comeback winning the next 4 out of their 5 games. But unfortunately, the team lost the winning momentum and once again failed to reach the playoffs. It is hard to single out any particular area for the team's lacklustre performance, but the new recruits' failure to perform is a major reason for RCB's downfall.

After finishing 6th on the points table last year, RCB released a barrage of players including stalwarts like Brendon McCullum and Chris Woakes. Keeping in mind the team's past record of releasing a lot of players, it won't be a surprise if a huge number of players are released next year too.

Here is the list of players who have failed to perform this year and might be dropped by RCB next year.

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#6 Akshdeep Nath (Matches - 8, Runs - 61, Average - 12.20)

Akshdeep Nath playing a reverse sweep (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Akshdeep Nath turned a lot of heads when RCB bought him for a staggering amount of ₹3.6 crore. Nath plays for Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit and has a decent first class record, but his T20 record isn't alarming. He has a T20 average of 22.06 and a strike-rate of 118.43.

The 25-year-old was possibly bought as a backup wicket-keeper. After sitting out in a few games, Akshdeep was finally given a chance in the playing XI. He failed to grab the opportunity as he scored just 61 runs in 8 matches at an average of 12.20. It is highly unlikely that he will be retained next year by the franchise.

#5 Shivam Dube (Matches - 4, Runs - 40, Wickets - 0)

Dube played 4 matches for RCB in IPL 2019

Shivam Dube was one of the most talked about players at the auction. Dube has earned the reputation of being a six hitter in domestic cricket and was touted as the next big thing in the IPL. He earned a bumper contract at the auction when RCB dished out ₹5 crore to get him in the RCB camp.

Dube was expected to provide big finishes to RCB with the bat and bowl some steady spells with the ball. Unfortunately, Dube failed on both fronts as he looked completely out of sorts. In the 4 matches that Dube played in IPL 2019, he scored just 40 runs.

Having said that, he would feel that he was hard done by the RCB team management who did not back him enough. RCB might use the amount spent on buying Dube, on strengthening their bowling stocks.

#4 Colin de Grandhomme (Matches - 4, Runs - 46, Wickets - 0)

Colin de Grandhomme failed to get going with the bat (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

RCB stacked it's side with all-rounders in IPL 2019. All the overseas all-rounders in the side are proven match-winners and Colin de Grandhomme is one of them. The Kiwi all-rounder has the ability to swing the new ball and score quick runs with the bat, especially in the death overs.

De Grandhomme can use the long handle to good effect and thus his inclusion in the playing XI was a no brainer. Unfortunately, he couldn't do justice to his place in the side and failed both with the bat and ball. In the four matches de Grandhomme played this season, he scored a paltry 46 runs.

His performance with the ball wasn't great either. The 32-year-old went wicketless in the tournament while giving away runs at an economy of 11. With such poor returns, de Grandhomme is likely to face the axe.

#3 Pawan Negi (Matches - 7, Runs - 9, Wickets - 3)

Negi picked up 3 wickets in 7 games (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Pawan Negi was once a hot property in the IPL. The Delhi all-rounder fetched a mind-boggling amount of ₹8.5 crore by Delhi Daredevils at the IPL auction 2016. He also made it to the national side that year. However, his performance in the IPL since then has been underwhelming to say the least.

Negi has been part of the RCB squad since 2017 but he hasn't done anything noteworthy for the side. Despite playing just 2 games last year he was retained by the franchise. It was time that Negi repay the faith put in him by delivering a strong show. But unfortunately, he failed both with the bat and ball.

Surprisingly, Negi was persisted in the playing XI in 7 matches. He scored just 9 runs in these 7 matches at an average of 2.25. Negi's bowling wasn't great either as he took just 3 wickets at an economy of 9.13 runs per over. RCB might finally run out of patience and drop Negi in IPL 2020.

#2 Tim Southee (Matches - 3, Wickets - 1, Economy - 13.11)

Tim Southee was too expensive with the ball (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

It was yet another season where the RCB quicks failed miserably. RCB suffered a major jolt at the beginning of the season when Australian quick Nathan Coulter-Nile was ruled out of the tournament as he was suffering from a stiff back. And thus there was extra responsibility on the experienced Kiwi pacer Tim Southee.

Southee has years of international experience behind him and was expected to lead RCB's pace attack. But he was taken apart by the opposition batsmen in IPL 2019. Southee played 3 matches where he was able to pick only one wicket.

The biggest cause of concern for RCB was Southee's economy rate of 13.11. The 30-year-old was entrusted with the difficult task of bowling in the death where he proved to be too expensive. Looking at his numbers in IPL 2019, Southee is all set to be released next year.

#1 Umesh Yadav (Matches - 11, Wickets - 8, Economy - 9.80)

Better performance was expected from a current Indian international player (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Umesh Yadav's unfulfilled IPL career got a new lease of life last year when he picked up 20 wickets in the season playing for RCB. This outstanding performance led to his comeback in the national side too.

Owing to his superlative performance last year, RCB was expecting big things from the pacer. However, Yadav once again fell short of expectations as he erred in line and length. Opposition teams targeted Yadav and successfully scored big runs in his overs. He was even dropped from the side in a few matches.

He finished the season with 8 wickets in 11 matches giving away runs at a poor economy of 9.80 runs per over. Better things are expected from a current Indian international player. Yadav has been extremely inconsistent throughout his IPL career and his days with RCB seem to be all over.