IPL 2018: 5 overseas stars who might not feature in starting XI

#1 Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum has been entertaining crowds all over the world

Brendon McCullum, who set the stage on fire with his blistering 158 in the first IPL match back in 2008, is still a force to reckon with in T20s. He has been playing in the shortest format all over the world with remarkable success. And this is the reason he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a hefty sum - INR 3.6 cr.

But McCullum has played in the middle order of late and he does not keep wickets anymore. Hence RCB would be tempted to play Quinton de Kock instead, who has the ability to get his team off to quick starts and also keep wickets. Given that AB de Villiers and the all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme will feature in the middle-order, it is difficult to see how the Kiwi superstar will make it to the playing XI.

There will be some games later on when RCB would want to strengthen their batting and that is when McCullum will find a place in the team. But, for the moment, he will have to wait.

T20 stats

Matches 323, Runs 8992, Ave 30.90, SR 137.72, 100s 7, 50s 47