IPL 2018: 5 players whom Royal Challengers Bangalore will target in the transfer window

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are currently languishing at the bottom half of the table. They would be desperate for few victories on the trot. They have won a couple of games against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and the Delhi Daredevils (DD), but were rusty even during those matches. Meanwhile, their bowling has been severely exposed as the tournament has progressed.

The newly introduced transfer window comes as a much-needed breather for the franchise and they would be hoping to draft in some utility cricketers who have the ability to contribute for them, especially during crunch moments of the game. In our article, we take an insight into the cricketers, RCB should target when the window opens.

1. Abhishek Sharma

The Challengers are currently devoid of an all-rounder who can whack the ball a fair distance. Pawan Negi has been there for them, but hasn’t quite got into his groove thus far. In their last game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), apart from Mandeep Singh, the other batsmen were unable to deliver. Abhishek Sharma, who played in the Under-19 World Cup can be a handy option for them.

Sharma is one of those batsmen who can find the boundaries from ball one, which he showed in New Zealand. The Challengers need some injection of motivation which can get their campaign back on track. Also, his prowess as a left-arm spin will also mean that the Challengers have an extra option provided some of their other bowlers travel the distance.

2. Sachin Baby

Sachin Baby can be roped in for the backup of Mandeep Singh, who has played some breezy knocks thus far in RCBs six games. Baby has been excellent form in excellent form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy. In four games, he managed 140 runs for Kerala at an average of 46.66, which included a couple of half-centuries as well. RCB have a star-studded top-order which has fired.

However, in a situation where a flurry of wickets go down, Baby has the potential to put his head down and build a partnership. He can also bowl part-time off-breaks which might turn out to be a useful weapon for the Challengers. Also, he has played for RCB in the last couple of seasons and hence, he won’t be moving into unknown territories.

3. Bipul Sharma

Bipul Sharma is another all-round cricketer they can resort to. He is an experienced campaigner and also has played quite a few games in the Indian Premier League. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, he couldn’t quite pick a whole lot of wickets, but has ensured that the batsmen don’t get the measure of his left-arm orthodox bowling.

He has played for the Kings XI Punjab and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Apart from his bowling, he is also no mug with the bat and can smack the leather a fair distance as he has shown, playing for the Sunrisers. Also, he has previously bowled in the power-play where batsmen haven’t gone after him courtesy of his immaculate line and lengths.

4. Dhruv Shorey

The Challengers have been straining with their opening stand. They have tried a variety of them. To be precise, three separate combinations have been employed and they are yet to settle into a fixed pair. Dhruv Shorey, who played for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy can be targeted by the Virat Kohli-led franchise who has gone through hiccups in their last six games.

Shorey scored 303 runs in the tournament at a stupendous average of 60.60. More importantly, he maintained a strike-rate of 142, which is a pretty decent one in a T20 series. Shorey can be an answer to RCBs opening woes. Also, he is a right-handed batsman and can be a useful partner for Quinton de Kock, who has looked solid in the six games.

5. Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel has been a clever operator with his medium pace. He has some clever variations up his sleeve, which can be hard to decipher at times. The cricketer has recently represented Haryana in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker for his state with six wickets in five matches at a respectable economy of 7.77.

Moreover, he has also scored 146 runs in the league at a jaw-dropping strike-rate of 164. He also had a fifty to his name. The Gujarat-born pacer has previously played for RCB and can again be a part of them, provided the franchise decides to bag him. He is currently in the Delhi Daredevils squad where he has played only a solitary game against RCB itself.

*Disclaimer: These are the players’ teams would’ve liked to add with the transfer window. However, the rule is that only uncapped players who have played maximum two matches after 7 matches will be eligible for transfer.