IPL 2018: After crashing out, RCB must be remembering these 5 ex-players

It was an anti-climax for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they lost to a determinant Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 30 runs in their must-win last game at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, May 19. Both teams were tied at equal points (12 from 13) till the beginning of this game and given RCB’s three consecutive wins and their better net run-rate, their supporters fancied a victory over a more inconsistent RR who also missed some of their top names in this game like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.

But still, RR won, thanks to a woeful batting display by Virat Kohli’s men who could not make any impact on the game once their skipper fell cheaply (4 off 9). From 75 for 1, RCB got bowled out for 134 while chasing the RR’s not-so-daunting score of 164. AB de Villiers remained the torch bearer of an otherwise dark batting performance, scoring 53 off 35 balls. But this has been the RCB’s hallmark this season: failing to click as a unit, especially in batting which is too much dependent on an individual or two.

When we include the fact that some of the players that RCB ignored this season really went on to do good for their new sides, the disappointment about Virat Kohli’s boy’s yet another pathetic campaign in the annual cricket gala becomes more gloomy.

Here are five names that the Royal Challengers ignored this season and could have benefited a lot from not taking such an action:

1. Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)

The T20 icon had his best times in the IPL for Bangalore and that too consistently over a period of time. But yet he was ignored by his old franchise for IPL 11, reportedly to make way for fresh blood. The Royals did not find any replacement for Gayle who claimed that he was promised to be retained by the franchise but he never got a call again. The over-dependence on Kohli and AB de Villiers continued even as Gayle, 38 now, continued to play his natural game for KXIP, who took him at the dying hours of the auction of this year’s IPL.

Gayle has played 10 games this season and scored 368 runs (something none other from RCB except Kohli and de Villiers have been able to score) which is far better than his tallies in 2016 and 2017 and also hit a ton, his first outside the RCB. He averages 46 this year and has maintained a strike rate of 147.20.

2. KL Rahul (KXIP)

RCB perhaps rues releasing this local lad the most. K Lokesh Rahul, one of the most talented batsmen in India’s national side, was released by RCB after he missed the 2017 edition because of injury. He had a decent 2016 season after making his IPL debut in 2013 but this year has been special for the batsman who was mostly seen as a Test specialist.

The way Rahul has been batting this year (652 runs in 13 games; average 59.27; strike rate of 160.98; six fifties), RCB will certainly be wondering the mistake they did in leaving out the right-hander who could have been their third big batsman after Kohli-AB de duo. Rahul’s team, however, has not been able to win consistently and now look set to be eliminated but the batsman’s form will remain a special attraction of IPL 11.

3. Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings) 

The talent powerhouse called Shane Watson has been too injury-prone to see a prolonged international career but he has mostly been a trusted general in a tournament like the IPL. Yet, RCB decided to let him go after two dull seasons (2016 and 2017) when he scored just 250 runs in 24 games combined.

But the same man has been doing it fabulously in 2018 for Chennai Super Kings who bought him this year for Rs 4 crore. He has scored 438 runs in 13 matches so far, which is his third highest in all IPLs and has also slammed a ton this season. His strike rate this year is 147.47 and he has lifted the ball 27 times out of the stadium so far in IPL 2018 which is five more than his previous best. RCB must have missed Watto’s service this time.

4. Harshal Patel (Delhi Daredevils)  

The seamer from Gujarat had some fantastic seasons for RCB (he took 9 wickets in his debut season in 2012). Patel’s best show came in 2015 when he grabbed 17 scalps in 15 games but thereafter he did not produce similar performances and was bought by Delhi Daredevils in 2018 auction.

Though Patel managed just eight wickets since 2016 IPL, yet he could have been a bowler to give the successful Umesh Yadav a good company. The 27-year-old’s rapport with Kohli could also have done RCB some good in the bowling department.

5. Billy Stanlake (Sunrisers Hyderabad) 

Twenty-three-year-old Stanlake is through a starter in cricket, he is also seen as one of the most promising young pacers from Queensland. Stanlake, known for his bouncers and economical bowling, made his IPL debut in 2017 for RCB and it was quite a surprise call for the 6-foot-8-inches tall player.

He took 2 wickets in just 2 matches that he played for RCB and was picked by SRH for his pace and wicket-taking ability. Stanlake started showing his worth by taking 5 wickets in 4 games this season at an average of 26 and economy rate of 8.12 but was ruled out because of a finger injury. One can’t help injuries but if RCB are really concerned about giving fresh blood an opportunity then why did Stanlake find himself associated with the side for just one year?