The Royal Challengers Bangalore made it to the playoffs of IPL 2020. After 2016 Virat Kohli and his men finally made it in the top 4 but couldn’t advance further in the competition. RCB lost to SRH in the eliminator and their long wait to win their maiden IPL title remains.
This year after the auction RCB had a much more balanced side which resulted in brilliant performances in the first half of the competition. However, in the second phase RCB struggled to win and lost their last 5 matches of the season. Few new RCB players performed exceedingly well but some of the experienced players disappointed this season. The marquee RCBside still have some holes to plug in before the next IPL season.
In this feature, we look ahead at 5 players that RCB might release of the next season. Players who failed to live up to expectations this year and RCB is likely to release ahead of the mini or mega auctions next year.
5 Players Royal Challengers Bangalore Might Release Ahead of IPL 2021
5. Umesh Yadav
In the very first match for RCB in IPL 2020, Umesh Yadav was taken to the cleaners and since then never became a regular feature in their squad. The seasoned fast bowler only played 2 matches in the season and went wicketless in both games. On top of that, his economy rate was 11.85 which shows that he had no control whatsoever on his line and length.
RCB is likely to look beyond Umesh Yadav who hasn’t been impressive in the last few years. The franchise desperately needs a bowler who can not only pick wickets upfront but also bowl economical bowlers at the death. Sadly Umesh no longer fits in that category and it is almost certain that he will not again play for RCB from next year.
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4. Gurkeerat Singh
The Achilles heel for RCB this year was their fragile middle order. Gurkeerat was expected to provide a flourish in the late overs for RCB but the batsman failed miserably. This season his strike was under 100 which is not ideal in T20 cricket. Gurkeerat looks a top-order batsman but it is unlikely that he will ever get a chance to bat during the first powerplay for RCB.
The franchise needs an explosive batsman in the middle that can release some burden from Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers. In the next auction, RCB will be looking at a batsman who can score freely from ball one and prove to be a game-changer. As far as Gurkeerat is concerned it doesn’t look that RCB will retain him for the next season.
IPL 2020: 5 Innings, 71 runs, strike rate, 71, Best 21
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3. Dale Steyn
The great Dale Steyn might have played his last IPL season this year. The fast bowler was demanded to play a key role for RCB this season but he failed to deliver. It is almost certain that we have seen the last of Steyn in IPL considering his age and below-par returns with the ball. Time has come for RCB to find an international bowler who is at the peak of his powers that can be a match-winner.
IPL 2020: 3 Matches, 1 Wicket, Economy Rate 11.40 Bowling average 133
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2. Moeen Ali
A lot was expected from Moeen Ali ahead of IPL 2020 as the pitches in UAE were expected to suit his style his play. However, the England all-rounder failed to live up to expectations and had an awful season. Ali was disappointing with both bat and ball hence wasn’t given a long rope by RCB in the playing XI.
Plus his body language also didn’t seem promising which reflected in his ordinary performances on the field. His bizarre run-out on a free hit in the Eliminator also confirms that RCB will not even consider retaining Moeen Ali ahead of next IPL.
IPL 2020: 3 Matches, 12 Runs, Average 4, Strike Rate 75, 1 Wicket
1. Aaron Finch
In IPL 2020, Devdutt Padikkal was making it look easy at the top for RCB whereas his batting partner Aaron Finch looked completely out of sorts. The Australian skipper never gave RCB impetus in the batting powerplay and struggled for runs throughout the season.
It seems the reflexes of Finch has also slowed down which is why he was unable to execute big shots against both pace and spin. He played his first season with RCB and the management backed him to perform and played him in 12 matches.
Unfortunately, Finch looked a pale shadow of himself and RCB might look to release him ahead of the next season. The franchise will give chances to the young Joshua Philippe in future and that is why Finch will not be in the scheme of things of RCB.
IPL 2020: 12 Matches, 268 Runs, Average 22, Strike Rate 111
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