IPL 2017: 5 KKR players that RCB would love to have

Royal Challengers Bangalore would like to erase the memories of a horrendous campaign in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League and try to salvage some pride in the remainder of their two league matches. The Virat Kohli led Bangalore outfit will be up against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first match of the double-header today.

The management of the Royal Challengers Bangalore has struggled to find the right combination through the tenth edition as they have been plagued by injuries to some of their key players and some their international recruits have failed to find any sort of form which has not helped their case either.

They would be immensely benefited if the following five players from Kolkata Knight Riders turned up to play for them in the IPL 2017.

#1 Gautam Gambhir

Kolkata Knight Riders’ skipper Gautam Gambhir has been in tremendous form with the bat throughout the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League. The southpaw has been responsible for anchoring the batting lineup of his side and give the team a solid start at the top of the order.

The 35-year old is a seasoned campaigner not only for the Knight Riders but also for the Indian team and adds a lot of value to the side with all his experience and expertise.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have struggled to find the right opening combination and have tinkered with the lineup way too much which has unfortunately not yielded them any results.

Their star-studded batting line-up has failed to get going in this edition and they would have loved to have somebody like Gambhir in their playing XI to provide them with stability at the start of the innings.

#2 Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa has been a standout performer for the Knight Riders

Uthappa has been in tremendous form for the Kolkata Knight Riders as he amassed 384 runs in the 10 league matches in this year’s Indian Premier League. The stylish right-hander has been a revelation with the bat as he has constantly taken the attack to the opposition bowlers in the middle overs.

He is known to play the role of an aggressor in the batting unit of the Knight Riders. Uthappa has also worked hard on his wicket keeping skills and the results are there to be seen as he has been brilliant behind the stumps for the Kolkata outfit.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a severe blow just before the start of the tournament as the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman, KL Rahul was ruled out of the league due to a shoulder injury.

Rahul was in good form in the last edition of the IPL and was a vital cog in the batting unit for the Bangalore team. His untimely injury and lack of consistency from Kedar Jadhav behind the stumps has put the Challengers on the back foot. Rahul’s absence in the playing XI has left a huge void for the Challengers and they would have immensely benefited from the services of Uthappa.

#3 Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn played a few blazing innings before injuring himself

Chris Lynn set the league alight by scoring an unbeaten 93 in the opening match for the Knight Riders against the Gujarat Lions in their own den. Unfortunately for the Knight Riders, an injury to Lynn forced him out of action for most part of the league.

The cricket fraternity was in an awe by the power-hitting capabilities of the Australian star after a couple of games he featured in earlier this season and are eagerly waiting for him to take centre stage once he recovers from the setback.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have been struggling with their opening combination throughout this season as their mainstay in the batting unit, Chris Gayle has been out of form. The charismatic West Indian has been short of runs and his woes at the top of the order are not helping a beleaguered Bangalore side.

Lack of options for the opening slots is one of the main reason for their dismal show this IPL and Lynn is perhaps one player who could have added more bite to their top-order.

#4 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav can dismantle any opposition with his express pace

Umesh Yadav has been one of the most improved players in the domestic circuit. The fast bowler has shown immense control over his line and length this season and has been a key wicket taker for Kolkata Knight Riders in the fag end of the innings.

The 29-year-old can dismantle any opposition with his express pace and his control over the slower bouncers has been the most potent weapon in the Indian Premier League.

The Bangalore-based franchise lack a fast bowler who can trouble the opposition with some serious pace in their bowling unit. Barring Mitchell Starc in the last edition, the performance of their fast bowlers has been an issue for the management and if given an opportunity, they would love to utilise the services of Umesh Yadav to unsettle the batsmen.

#5 Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine has been the trump card for Gautam Gambhir

Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner turned into a hard-hitting opening batsman, has been the trump card for Gautam Gambhir and the Kolkata Knight Riders in this edition of the tournament. With a catalogue of variations and expertise, the West Indian is one of the most economical bowlers in the shortest format of the game.

He provides the Knight Riders crucial wickets in the middle overs to dent the opposition in posting a huge total or even chasing down one. His batting has been a huge bonus for the Knight Riders as he has complemented Gambhir’s calmness really well.

The problem for Virat Kohli is the performance of his overseas recruits. With the veteran Shane Watson struggling to make any impact throughout the season, the management would have loved somebody like a Narine to contribute with both bat and ball.