IPL 2020: 3 world-class players that Royal Challengers Bangalore were bold enough to release

#2 Tim Southee

Tim Southee

Royal Challengers Bangalore were renowned for their powerful top order, headed by Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, in 2017. But their bowling was almost the complete opposite. The unit lacked penetration throughout the 10th edition and conceded an expensive 8.55 runs per over.

In order to put a halt to the carnage, RCB bought Tim Southee at the IPL 2018 auction. Southee, a dependable bowler for New Zealand with a vicious out-swinger, was expected to be the leader of RCB’s attack in the above-mentioned edition.

But unfortunately things panned out otherwise. He picked up only five wickets in 2018 and one in 2019 (in a combined 11 matches), and rarely flustered the opposition batsmen.

Even though he is still a stalwart bowler for New Zealand and a world-famous name in cricket circles, it came as no surprise when Southee was let go ahead of IPL 2020.