IPL 2019 Squad Analysis: Royal Challengers Bangalore

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The talk of the town, the man who wreaked havoc in the bilateral series against India has caught the attention of one and all with his fabulous hitting and innings building abilities, Shimron Hetmyer, is their latest addition.

The West Indian batting setup may have lacked anything in the world but firepower, having the likes of Chris Gayle, Pollard, Russell and more at their disposal, but what they did lack was sheer firepower backed with consistency.

All eyes would be on Hetmyer this year since he has been this auction's hot pick
All eyes would be on Hetmyer this year since he has been this auction's hot pick

Hetmyer has come in and filled the role of that much needed attacking innings builder. The way he scored fearlessly against India in two ODI games was proof of the fact that he can go on to be a modern day great. Hetmyer started to prove his worth in the Carribean Premier League, from where he got an entry into West Indies' national side. He will be a valuable asset for RCB in the middle order.

The Shocker

Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan

What RCB did with the young Sarfaraz Khan over the last 12 months or so lacks reason. At first, it seemed like they did want to keep him and groom him, given his potential and talent showcased in the 2014 and 2016 under-19 World Cups and also the previous editions of the IPL, but then their own skipper Virat Kohli came out in the open to downplay the former's value to the side.

What followed was utterly shocking. They let go of KL Rahul, the talented youngster who performed brilliantly with the bat in 2016, mostly supporting the then invincible looking Virat Kohli. Also, at that time, Rahul was on to represent India in all three formats. They also released the Universal Boss Chris Gayle, someone who had been so valuable to the side and had been the backbone of their success post-2011.

KL Rahul and Gayle, both went on to represent the newly formed core team of KXIP and did exceedingly well while opening the innings together. RCB must be regretting their decisions till date.

RCB's 2018 rejects, KL Rahul and Chris Gayle ensured rock solid starts for the KXIP in the 2018 IPL
RCB's 2018 rejects, KL Rahul and Chris Gayle ensured rock solid starts for the KXIP in the 2018 IPL

RCB also released Mandeep Singh, a good talent who again, was underperforming at RCB. It will be interesting to see how he fares at KXIP, a team that will give him ample opportunity, responsibility, and freedom.

New purchases

Gurkeerat Mann, Heinrich Klaasen and Shivam Dube
Gurkeerat Mann, Heinrich Klaasen and Shivam Dube

RCB has purchased Gurkeerat Mann Singh for his base price of 50 lacs INR, which seems to be a good deal, given his hitting abilities and also the spin bowling option he brings in.

Shivam Dube, the man who fetched 25 times his base price in the auction would be someone every team would have a close eye on.

Heinrich Klaasen is yet to prove his worth on Indian pitches. He gave a glimpse of his fabulous spin hammering abilities while India was touring South Africa when he battered RCB teammate Yuzvendra Chahal black and blue. However, he failed miserably with the bat last year with Rajasthan Royals.

The probable Playing XI

Looking at the way they have performed this Auction, let us have a look at who all might be part of their starting playing XI.


#1 Parthiv Patel

Patel has been around the National side for more than a decade now
Patel has been around the National side for more than a decade now

Parthiv has done fairly well for whichever side he has represented in these 11 years of the IPL. Be it opening with Matthew Hayden for CSK, or with McCullum for Kochi, with Dhawan for SRH, with Gayle for RCB or with Rohit Sharma/Lendl Simmons for MI, he has always given good starts to his side.

He is not a heavy run-getter, but he performs his role better than most other, as he consistently scores those 30-35 runs off 22-28 balls to secure good starts for his team.

#2 Virat Kohli (C)

Virat would look to replicate his 2016 IPL form and lead from the front
Virat would look to replicate his 2016 IPL form and lead from the front

The big man, the best in the world, the invincible Virat Kohli has made it clear this year that he wants to open, and rightly so, as he played his best cricket in 2016 while opening the innings, first with KL Rahul and then with Chris Gayle. With RCB getting rid of all pre-existing openers Vohra, de Kock, and Baz, it is evident that Kohli is eyeing the top spot.

Parthiv's ability to hold on to one end will provide the Indian captain with the license to attack. Kohli, if batted through the innings, is certain to go past the three-digit mark, and if he does well this year at the top, RCB is certain to reach the top-4, if not the top-2.

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Edited by Vignesh Ananthasubramanian