RCB - IPL 2021 in UAE Team Preview

RCB - IPL 2021 in UAE Team Preview

The 14th edition of IPL had to be halted due to the pandemic, and it will resume from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates. Though the Challengers haven’t won the IPL trophy yet, Virat Kohli’s team has been striving for it more than any other franchise. Let’s take a brief look at their journey so far, auctions results, key players and expected outcome in IPL 2021 betting action.

The journey of Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had the chance to win IPL on three occasions, in 2009, 2011 and last in 2016 – but they finished as runners-up. In the 2016 edition, Virat Kohli scored 973 runs at an average of 81.08, with 4 centuries. Virat Kohli is the captain of RCB since 2011, but the overall results in the past ten years is not something RCB or their fans expected.

In IPL 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore have done a great job by winning 5 of their 7 matches before the halt on IPL 2021 in May this year. The Royal Challengers are at number three in the points table, after Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. Though RCB and CSK have the same number of wins, CSK has an upper hand due to the net run rate. They won their first four games against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. CSK broke their winning streak, but soon after RCB defeated the table-toppers Delhi Capitals. They lost to Punjab Kings, their last match before the break.

IPL 2021 Auction

RCB went into IPL 2021 auctions with a purse of INR 35.90 crore (approx USD 4.93 million) and spent most of it. They came out with only INR 50 lakhs (approx USD 68637) left. They had 13 open slots including 4 overseas players, and they bought 8 players with 3 overseas players from the pool. RCB spent the most - INR 14.25 crore (approx USD 1.96 million) - for the Australian power-hitter and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. They could not retain Chris Morris though, as Rajasthan Royal made the costliest purchase of INR 16.24 crore (approx USD 2.23 million).

They had also signed five rookies - Rajat Patidar, Sachin Baby, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Suyash Prabhudesai and K Srikar Bharat at their base price of INR 20 lakhs (approx. USD 27K) each. RCB also got New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson and Australian bowling all-rounder Daniel Christian for INR 4.80 crore (approx. USD 659K).

Recently a few players like Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn opted out of the IPL due to their national duties. Also, Daniel Sams and Kane Richardson have made themselves unavailable for the remaining IPL 2021 games. So during the replacement window, RCB added Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera and Australia’s Singapore born Tim David.

Players out: Chris Morris, Shivam Dube, Aaron Finch, Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn, Moeen Ali, Parthiv Patel, Pawan Negi, Isuru Udana, Gurkeerat Mann, Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams, Finn Allen, Kane Richardson, Scott Kuggeleijn.

Players in: Kyle Jamieson (INR 15 crore), Glenn Maxwell (INR 14.25 crore), Daniel Christian (INR 4.8 crore), Suyash Prabhudesai (INR 20 lakh), Sachin Baby (INR 20 lakh), KS Bharat (INR 20 lakh), Rajat Patidar (INR 20 lakh), Mohammed Azharuddeen (INR 20 lakh), Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David

Key Players for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli: Kohli is the leading run-scorer for RCB, with 6076 runs in 199 games at an average of 37.97 and 5 centuries. In IPL 2021, Virat Kohli has amassed 198 runs from 7 matches at an average of 33.00 including a half-century.

AB de Villiers – Mr 360 degree, de Villiers is one of the key pillars of RCB’s batting line-up. In IPL 2021, de Villiers has amassed 207 runs in 6 innings at an average of 51.75. He is a true match-winner and can turn any match at his will.

Harshal Patel – Harshal was traded from Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2021 season, With 17 wickets in just 7 innings of IPL 2021, Harshal Patel is the current Purple Cap holder.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Squad:

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Josh Philippe (wk), AB de Villiers (wk), Pavan Deshpande, Washington Sundar, Dushmantha Chameera, Yuzvendra Chahal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Harshal Patel, Glenn Maxwell, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Kyle Jamieson, Daniel Christian, Suyash Prabhudessai, KS Bharat, Tim David

With this squad the RCB team has a great chance of reaching the finals, something they have missed in previous years. So if you fancy their chances and want to wager on this team, make sure to check TheTopBokies best cricket betting sites in India list.

How have the purchases fared so far for RCB?

Let’s now look at the performances of the players purchased in the auctions ahead of IPL 2021. For RCB, Kyle Jamieson (INR 15 crore), and Glenn Maxwell (INR 14.25 crore) are the highest purchases. Maxwell is so far RCB’s leading run-scorer from the past 7 games of IPL 2021. He amassed 223 runs from 6 innings, with two half-centuries his highest score is 78. Though we can expect a lot more from him in the coming matches.

Harshal Patel was transferred to RCB at the base price of INR 20 Lakh. With 17 wickets, he not only leads the RCB’s bowler’s list but also holds the purple cap. He has been undoubtedly a multifold value-for-money for RCB.

Kyle Jamieson has been average so far, with just 9 wickets from 7 matches. His best bowling figure is 3 for 41, but he is quite expensive in terms of conceding runs. Daniel Christian was taken for INR INR 4.8 crore, but in three matches he played, he remained wicket-less.

Expectations for IPL 2021: Future Important matches

As of now, RCB look comfortable and probable to enter the knock-out rounds. They are expected to lose against MI and CSK according to our expert cricket betting tips, while Delhi Capital may give them a tight fight. We can expect them to win against Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Conclusion

RCB, like each year, has got the ingredients to win the trophy. Their current performance and progress in IPL 2021 have been good so far. They will the playoffs, but thereafter it all depends on how they perform in the critical games. This is touted as a golden opportunity for RCB and, especially, Virat Kohli, to win the first IPL Championship for the franchise from Bangalore.

Share:

READ NEXT

SRH - IPL 2021 in UAE Team Preview

SRH - IPL 2021 in UAE Team Preview

IPL 2016 winner Sunrisers Hyderabad is all geared up to take on the field after having a disastrous 1st instalment in India.

RR - IPL 2021 in UAE Team Preview

RR - IPL 2021 in UAE Team Preview

The inaugural IPL’s winner Rajasthan Royals to start their campaign against Punjab Kings on September 21st.