IPL 2021: 3 RCB Players who might be benched for most of the season

The RCB is one of the strongest teams on paper. With mega stars like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell, they have the strongest middle order after MI. But since 2008, when it comes to their performance on the field, they have failed to win the trophy despite having some stalwarts in their setup. 

The Bangalore-based franchise has managed to reach the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016. But they have been unable to chase during crucial moments. One man who has been a part of the franchise since 2008 is Virat Kohli. Well, it looks like they have managed to accumulate their best squad this time. 

However, it is difficult for a domestic player to make it to the squad. With an already packed playing eleven, it is likely that few players will get a chance to showcase their talent. To be honest, we should not write them off, because Kohli is well known to give unknown faces a chance. 

In the article, let us take a look at 3 RCB players, who might warm the bench for most of the IPL season:

1. Srikar Bharat

Srikar Bharat’s cricketing career has been quite extraordinary. He started as a ball boy and ended up as the first wicketkeeper to score a triple century in Ranji Trophy. Without any doubt, he is the backup wicketkeeper for the RCB franchise. But, with ABD in the squad, it is less likely that he will make it to the playing eleven. 

He made his first-class debut for Andhra against Kerala as a 19-year-old player. Bharat is still one of the most consistent run-scorers for his home side since the last few years. Talking about his technical skills, he has all the abilities to make it to the squad as a wicketkeeper-batsman. It is just that the time is not right for him. Maybe, he will be Kohli’s go-to man in the future. 

In the 2014-2015 season, Bharat scored 758 runs in the Ranji Trophy at a healthy average of 54.14. This enabled him to secure an IPL contract with the Delhi Daredevils. Although he has failed to make it to the playing eleven in a tough tournament like IPL, it is just a matter of time before he becomes a force to reckon with. For the time being, he has to wait for his opportunity. 

2. Pavan Deshpande

Pavan Deshpande is one of the most popular names in the domestic circuit. It is no surprise that he is in the RCB squad this year too. Talking about his role, he is a left-handed batsman who can bowl occasional off-spin. The breakthrough year for Pavan was the 2017-2018 season. 

During that time, the absence of premier players of the Karnataka squad enabled Pavan to get a few more chances. And because of his impressive performances, he got a longer run. Since then, he has not disappointed the selectors. Pavan managed to score a series of consistent scores during the 50-overs format and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In 2018, he was included in the RCB squad. 

If Virat Kohli is looking for a consistent hard hitter, then Pavan might be a useful player in the lineup. Adding on, if someone like Yuzvendra Chahal is having a bad day, he can bowl in a couple of overs too. An economy rate of 8.35 is not that bad for a part-timer and a strike rate of 144.68 is excellent in this format. But with a packed playing eleven, his chances to make it to the field looks slim. 

3. Finn Allen

Finn Allen is the newest product of the fearless New Zealand cricket team. He recently made headlines after he scored a quickfire 71 off just 29 balls. Yes, that is even faster than Yuvraj’s 30 balls 70 against the Aussies during the 2007 T20 World Cup. It looks like the RCB management has done their research to perfection this time. 

During his innings, the 21-year-old batsman smashed ten fours and three sixes and he reached his fifty in just 18 deliveries. This was the second joint-fastest fifty by a New Zealander. Thanks to Finn, the Kiwis managed to pile up 141/4 on the scoreboard within ten overs. And this score was sufficient enough to outplay the Bangladesh squad. 

Till now, Finn has played only three T20Is and has scored 88 runs. He has a huge strike rate of 220 and with a long future ahead of him, he can be the next big thing in New Zealand cricket. But, he might not get into the RCB squad this time because of the overseas rule. With Daniel Chrisitan, AB de Villers, and Glenn Maxwell filling up three slots, there is only one slot left for an overseas player. And Kohli will look forward to including a bowler or an all-rounder.