IPL 2019: 5 new players who could change the tides for RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore have always been a strong team on paper but their results rarely meet the expectations. Boasting of having the world's best batsmen in the form of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in the side, RCB arguably have the greatest top order in the league.

But with a humiliating start against the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2019 opener, the men in red would want to make some changes to their line-up, when they next face Mumbai Indians on 28th March.

They have backed their confidence in young talent this year, buying uncapped players for good amounts of money. While the playing eleven of the opening match was a calculated and safe approach, the team management would want to shake things up, come the next encounter.

So here are five players who could change RCB's fortunes!

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5 - Marcus Stoinis

Stoinis has previously played for Kings XI Punjab

One of the weak links of RCB is the middle order. It is often seen that the middle order collapses under pressure, without the support of the top order. Despite having a star-studded line up that included destructive batsmen like Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and the like over the years, RCB has three of the 10 lowest totals in IPL history (49 against KKR in 2017, 70 against CSK in 2019 and 70 against Rajasthan Royals in 2014)

A consistent and stable player such as Marcus Stoinis could play the anchor in the middle order, who could start striking when the need comes. Not only that, Stoinis is a handy bowler who could bowl his quota of four overs economically and also pick up wickets on a lucky day!

His right-arm medium deliveries could be the perfect fit for a middle-overs stint. His good form, coupled with his experience of playing on Indian pitches most recently, would help the Aussie provide the necessary stability to Kohli's men.

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4 - Prayas Ray Barman

Barman plays for Bengal in the domestic leagues

This promising 16-year-old leg-break bowler was bought for a staggering 1.5 crores by the RCB. PR Barman made his List A debut against Jammu & Kashmir in September of last year and within a few months, he has cemented his place in the top T20 league in the world.

RCB already has a consistent and successful leg spinner in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal. Given that leg spinners have been the biggest wicket-takers in recent times, Barman's inclusion in the squad would prove crucial to RCB.

Wrist spinners such as Kuldeep Yadav and Rashid Khan have made their mark on the world stage and it may be time for another to add his name in the list. Having the surprise element and the energy of a youngster, he could be a wildcard that could turn the tides for RCB.

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3 - Akshdeep Nath

He has previously played for Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab

After rather unimpressive performances during his stints with Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab, Akshdeep Nath would look to make his mark in this IPL as part of the RCB squad. Having a 40+ average in his List A career, in addition to being a handy right-arm medium-fast bowler, Nath has been consistent in his performances when he was not plagued with health problems.

He was also the vice-captain of the Under-19 Indian squad which won the 2012 U-19 World Cup. He further proved his mettle when he led the Uttar Pradesh Under-19 team to victory in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, in which he was also the second-highest run scorer with five half-centuries.

Being an Indian player, he does not face the selection issue that someone like Marcus Stoinis or Heinrich Klaasen would face, given the IPL rule dictating the restriction of overseas players to four per match.

His all-round abilities would give Kohli more options in his bowling line-up as well as a solid addition to the fragile middle order.

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2 - Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal is an 18-year-old who has played for teams such as Bellary Tuskers

Another youngster lapped up by RCB is the 18-year-old top-order batsman from Edapal (Kerala) - Devdutt Padikkal. He is also very new to the game, and played his debut match for Karnataka as recently as 2018.

RCB, in its match against CSK, played four left-handers in its top six in the form of Parthiv Patel, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer and Shivam Dube, which enabled spinners, especially Harbhajan Singh, to keep a grip on the run flow.

If Heinrich Klaasen is selected in the squad or if AB de Villiers goes back to his keeping duties, Padikkal could replace Parthiv Patel, thereby enabling RCB with a left-hand right-hand opening combination with Kohli.

His knack for innovation and his youthful passion would go well with the aggressive style of the RCB captain, and the duo could form a stable opening stand which would empower them to make full use of the fielding restrictions during the first power play.

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1 - Himmat Singh

Himmat Singh has been a staple for the under 19 Delhi side

Himmat Singh has represented Delhi in the Under-16, Under-19 and List A categories. He was made part of the Delhi squad for the Ranji trophy but did not play any matches.

He made his debut in the 2015-16 season of the Vijay Hazare trophy, slowly climbing up the ranks and representing Delhi two years later, in both First Class and T20 formats.

Other than the criminal defamation controversy, Himmat's career has taken him to higher heights, finally taking him to the RCB dugout. The opportunities for batsmen in the team are much less compared to the opportunities for bowlers, but given his form and the scope for changes to the RCB batting line-up, he could very well earn a place in the playing XI.

If all these youngsters live up to the expectations when given a chance, RCB's fortunes could very well change in this IPL!

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