Dale Steyn will not be playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2021. The legendary fast bowler confirmed that he will be on a break in April- May and has decided to withdraw from the tournament. Steyn even though is past his prime but still would have been an asset for RCB next season.
Now with Steyn not playing IPL 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore think tank will be now looking at bowlers who can fill the void of Steyn in the upcoming season. We take a look a 5 possible bowlers that Royal Challengers Bangalore will have an eye on in the mini-auction who can replace Steyn.
5 Players Who Can Replace Dale Steyn In Royal Challengers Bangalore
1.Mitchell Starc
The first name that quickly springs to mind is of Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc. Australia has played for RCB before and the management will again be aiming to have him in IPL 2021 in place of Steyn. He has played 27 IPL games and taken 34 wickets while going at 7.17 runs per over.
RCB has always lacked a quality bowling option at the death and Starc can surely solve that longstanding problem. The left-arm seamer is a genuine wicket-taker and RCB will have their eye on Starc when the mini-auction takes place before the next season.
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2. S Sreesanth
Yes, you read it right, S Sreesanth can also play the next IPL season. After serving his ban, Sreesanth is now intending to make a big comeback and again playing in the IPL. The veteran fast bowler will be playing the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament for Kerala. If Sreesanth can perform well IPL teams will certainly be rooting for him during the mini-auction.
RCB will be closely watching how Sreesanth performs in the domestic T20 tournament. When Sreesanth was at his peak he picked wickets with the new ball and never allowed the batsmen to score heavily in the slog overs. RCB might go for Sreesanth in place of Steyn as his experience can be advantageous during IPL 2021.
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3. Kyle Jamieson
The sensational New Zealand all-rounder has been highly impressive in his short career so far. You give him the ball he picks wickets and then also scores vital runs with the bat. Jamieson will certainly be one name that the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be looking to add to their squad next season.
The tall kiwi is a typical T20 all-rounder who contributes with both bat and ball. Jamieson will also strengthen the weak lower-middle order for RCB which has been their Achilles heel in the last few seasons. The 26-year-old has shown that he is an impact player who thrives under pressure and that is why he can be one player RCB will spend heavily in the auction.
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4. Kane Richardson
Kane Richardson was all set to IPL 2020 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The fast bowler then decided to withdraw from the tournament to attend the birth of his first child. Now, Richardson will be hungry to feature in the biggest T20 league in the world.
The fast bowler was replaced by spinner Adam Zampa in the RCB squad last season. Richardson can be a perfect replacement for Dale Steyn. The fast bowler has loads of experience of bowling in T20 cricket and he can use the pitches in India to his advantage. The 29-year-old has played 14 IPL games and taken 18 wickets while bowling at an economy rate of 8.38.
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5. Riley Meredith
One surprising name that RCB can go for as a replacement for Steyn is young Aussie bowler Riley Meredith. The 24-year-old has been brilliant in the ongoing BBL season for Hobart Hurricanes. In BBL 2020-21 so far Meredith has a bowling average of 20 and economy rate of mere 7 which is world-class.
The new RCB management always backs youngster and that is why they can acquire Meredith in the auction. He is on his way to be a future star if RCB thinks about long term investment than Meredith will be in their plans for the next season.
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