Virat Kohli and Co. are considered one of the most unlucky teams as they possess one of the greatest teams in the league.The team with the likes of current indian captain Virat Kohli, Star batsman Ab De Villers and speedster Dale steyn the team is expected to have many titles in their bag. But the stars have not yet aligned for the Challengers. With yet another opportunity in their grasp in the upcoming IPL. It will be a treat to watch how Virat and Co. approach this time around. Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached the finals on three occasions- 2009, 2011 and the latest being 2016, where they lost against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
With the Indian Premier League around the corner. Cricwizz takes a look at the 5 Royal Challengers Bangalore players to watch out for.
1) Virat Kohli
The Current captain of Team India and RCB will be looking forward to prove a point this time and take the franchise over the line. The 31-year old is never shy of scoring runs and breaking records both at the international and domestic level. With 5412 runs from 177 matches he played in the IPL, the run-machine holds the top spot in the highest run-getters in IPL. His stunning strike-rate of 132 and average of 38 in the shortest format of the game shows his sheer dominance and ability to take the game away from the opposition.
One example that shows the level of his dominance is the runs he scored in 2016. The right-hander amassed 973 runs in that single season, which still stands as the record for highest runs scored in a single IPL season. Kohli has scored 5 centuries and 36 half centuries in the IPL and has a high-score of 113 to his name.
With over 6 months of no cricketing action. It would be a treat to watch the return of the run-machine to the field and take his IPL team over the line this time.
2) AB de Villiers
The former South African captain AB de Villers has always remained someone to watch out for. His unique ability of taking the match away from the opposition in just a matter of a few balls has made him one of the best batsmans in the World. If he decides to get loose along with Virat, it wouldn't be long before they take the team over the line. With ABD stating he wants to win the IPL title this year for the RCB captain, It would be exciting to see his approach.
The 36-year old has scored 4395 runs in 154 matches he has played in the IPL at an remarkable average of 40 and strike-rate of 152. He has 3 centuries and 33 half centuries to his name with a high-score of 133.
3) Aaron Finch
With the addition of the Australian captain to the franchise to strengthen the top order. The team is now looking to be the one that is indestructible this season. Finch is known for his hard-hitting and also ability to play really long innings. He is one of the best foreign batsmans of spin bowling which means he could play a really important role in the team. The 33-year old has scored 1737 runs in 75 matches he played in the IPL at an average of 26 and strike-rate of 131. He has 13 half centuries to his name with a high-score of 88.
4) Dale Steyn
The South-african Speedster played only one match in the last season of IPL due to an injury. But, in his latest interview stated that he is fully fit and raring to go. For years Steyn has been one of the most valued players by Virat kohli and this time he will be surely wanting to make an impact which is definitely capable with the potential he possesses. The 37-year old has played 92 matches in the IPL and is 4 shy of 100 wickets. He has a considerably good economy of 6.77 and strike-rate of 21.94. The proteas pacer has best figures of 3/8 to his name in the IPL.
5)Chris Morris
The South-African star all-rounder was bagged for a whopping 10 crores in the auctions for his services. Such a price was put on the table as RCB was looking out for an all-rounder with match winning capability and the south-african fit the slot perfectly. Chris Morris had a wonderful time with Delhi Capitals and will be hoping to maintain the same form with RCB. RCB would be looking forward to Chris Morris to merge with the team as it would make them really good contenders for the title. The 33-year old has played 61 matches in the IPL and has scored 517 runs and claimed 69 wickets.
Cover Credits: IPLT20
