IPL 2023: 5 RCB players who might be benched throughout the season

Royal Challengers Bangalore assembled a well-rounded squad for the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. They reaped dividends of the same and reached the playoffs. In a bid to go for glory in the following season, the Bangalore franchise moved past five of its players and has filled the void with quality replacements. Last season, RCB showed consistency in selection and did minimal changes to their playing XI. One can expect the same from the Bangalore franchise in IPL 2023. Thus, certain fringe players might not get a game in the upcoming season. Here are five RCB players who could be benched throughout the 2023 season: 5. Rajan Kumar Rajan Kumar set the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 ablaze with his stunning performances. The 26-year-old made the ball talk at the start of the innings and dismantled batting line-ups. He featured in seven matches and bagged 10 wickets at a sensational economy of 5.88. Rajan carried on his good work in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 and picked up six scalps in five matches at an economy of 4.39. Royal Challengers Bangalore liked what they saw in the left-arm pacer and signed him at the IPL 2023 auction. However, it is quite unlikely that he would be able to break into the playing XI in the coming edition. RCB also have quality Indian bowlers such as Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Siddarth Kaul in their fast-bowling stocks. Given the ace pacers have proven their mettle in the IPL arena time and time again, they will certainly be higher in the pecking order. Thus, Rajan might not make his IPL debut in the 2023 season. 4. Sonu Yadav Sonu Yadav is one of the exciting prospects in the Tamil Nadu cricketing circles. He was exceptional in the 2022 season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, smashing 107 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 152.85 and picking up 10 wickets at an economy of 7.77. Sonu displayed his bowling might in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 as well. He made eight appearances for Tamil Nadu and bagged nine wickets at an economy of 5.38. The 23-year-old is a valuable addition to the side given his ability to contribute to both departments. However, the Bangalore franchise also possess multi-faceted cricketers such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Harshal Patel who have been consistent performers in the T20 circuit. Therefore, Sonu might warm the bench in the entire 16th IPL edition. 3. Karn Sharma Karn Sharma rose to prominence in the 2013 season of the cash-rich league, when he took 11 wickets at an economy of 6.60 in 13 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has been a regular feature in the marquee tournament since then and has done a decent job with the ball. Karn has played 68 IPL games and picked 59 wickets at an economy of 7.91. Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him at the 2022 mega auction to bolster their spin department. However, the ace spinner did not get a single game in the whole season. RCB have stuck with the leg-spinner for the 16th edition of the lucrative T20 tournament but it will again be quite difficult for him to break into the playing XI in the presence of Hasaranga and Shahbaz, who fared well in the previous season. The Sri Lankan spinner took 26 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.54 whereas the Indian all-rounder smashed 219 runs in 16 games and picked up four wickets. Therefore, Karn might not get an opportunity in the coming season. 2. Finn Allen Finn Allen has been a proven performer in the shortest format of the game. The 23-year-old has featured in 82 T20 games and scored 2270 runs at a stunning strike rate of 172.75. He has been phenomenal in the international arena as well and hammered 567 runs in 25 T20Is at a superb strike rate of 163.40. The wicketkeeper-batter has been associated with the Royal Challengers since 2021 but he is yet to make his IPL debut. Though Allen’s stocks in the T20 arena have been on a meteoric rise, he is still unlikely to find a place in RCB’s starting XI in the coming season. The Kiwi batter is contesting for an opening slot with Faf du Plessis but the latter is the skipper of the side and will be playing every game of the season. Moreover, du Plessis is supremely fit and the chances of him getting injured are pretty less. Therefore, Allen might be benched throughout the 16th IPL edition. 1. David Willey David Willey has been a bankable name in the T20 circuit. The 32-year-old has played 241 games in the shortest format and picked as many wickets at an economy of 7.94. On the batting front, he has scored 3369 runs at a strike rate of 137.96. The Bangalore franchise acquired the bowling all-rounder at the 2022 mega auction to add depth to the side. However, he was not able to perform as per expectations. Willey featured in four games and managed to bag only one wicket. Also, he did not impress with the bat too, scoring mere 18 runs at a strike rate of 60.00. Despite his miserable campaign, RCB have shown faith in Willey and retained him for the forthcoming season. However, the England seamer’s chances of getting a game are quite bleak. Josh Hazlewood is Bangalore’s premier pacer and is likely to start for the team. In case Hazlewood is unavailable for any reason, the team management might ponder over including Reece Topley, who has been a strike force with the new ball and also impeccable at the death.

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IPL 2023: 5 RCB players who might be benched throughout the season

In IPL 2022, RCB showed consistency in selection and did minimal changes to their starting XI. One can expect the same from the Bangalore franchise in the coming season.

4. Sonu Yadav

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