IPL 2022: 5 players who can replace AB de Villiers in RCB squad

IPL is the best sporting event the new era of cricket has seen. And, through this tournament, whether be it a bowler or a batsman, IPL has been the base of recognition in the current generation. And, one of the cricketers who has been winning the hearts of fans and cricket pundits was AB de Villiers. A legendary batsman, AB de Villiers has been one of the illustrious cricketers in the history of the T20 league. Making his debut in 2010, de Villiers has spent his time with Delhi and Bangalore. He has scored 5162 runs in 184 matches at a raging strike rate of 151.7. Playing down the batting order, de Villiers has produced some unforgettable wins for RCB without giving away the match to the opposition. And, he has been one of the greatest players for RCB for such a long time. But his exit will affect the middle order of RCB. And, the Men in Red and Gold will be looking for another striker of the ball who can be good as AB. Here are some options for the Royal Challengers Bangalore to replace AB de Villiers: 1. Jos Buttler Jos Buttler. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) There is no better clean striker of the ball than Jos Buttler in white-ball cricket. As a versatile English batsman, Jos Buttler has been one of the best white-ball cricketers presently. He has been one of the most productive cricketers for any team he plays. He is a stunning wicketkeeper and never lets the ball go above or beyond him. Talking about his T20 stats, he has got 7135 runs from 276 innings at a scintillating strike rate of 144.2 and an average of 32.45. The English wicketkeeper batsman has been in top-notch form with the bat as he has been cracking the ball into the stands. Currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals, Buttler has been looking promising with the bat. But, it is unlikely the Men in Pink are keeping him back. If yes, Bangalore should go chasing him in the player auction for ABD. 2. Jonny Bairstow Jonny Bairstow. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Jonny Bairstow can be a good pick for RCB if he’s getting brought. A prolific run-getter, Bairstow has been one of the best ball-hitters in limited-overs cricket. He is also a batsman who can bat anywhere in the batting line-up. He has got a run tally of 3904 runs from 153 innings at a stellar strike rate above 135 with an average of 30. Playing for England, he has cemented his spot at no. 4 and has done a fine job anchoring them in the middle overs. Currently benched in the SRH squad, Bairstow has got humongous numbers with a strike rate of 142 and an average of 41. If SRH releases him, RCB can take advantage of this English cricketer. A great hitter of the ball, Bairstow can surely replace ABD in the RCB Squad. He can be a consideration for Bangalore in the place of AB de Villiers. 3. Liam Livingstone Liam Livingstone. (Photo Source: Twitter) Yet another English cricketer in this catalogue is another hard hitter of the ball, Liam Livingstone. A proficient hitter, Livingstone has impressed with the willow in the recent past. The English batsman has got the aptness of smoking the ball out of the park. Also, he can be very handy with the ball as he can bowl off-spin and leg-spin concurrently. He has got a sum of 4038 runs at a demolishing strike rate of 144 in the T20s which makes him more of a spectacular hitter. And now, the Lancashire-born batter has been the cornerstone of England’s middle-order. He has also shown his abilities by playing leagues like BBL and has shown great hitting in Australian pitches with 851 runs at a superior strike rate of 138. Currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals, Livingstone could not go big in the UAE leg. But, he has displayed how talented he is with the bat. Livingstone can be a convincing player in place of AB de Villiers. 4. Aiden Markram Aiden Markram. (Photo Source: Twitter/IPL) Another fellow South African player who can be in the spot of ABD is Aiden Markram. The South African batsman has been in top form for the Proteas. A classy and composed player, Markram has been in all runs this year. Batting at no.4 for the Proteas, he has delivered some magnificent knocks. The Centurion-born cricketer has got 1732 runs from 65 innings at a decent strike rate of 128 in T20s. He is also a part-time off-spinner who can bowl from off-breaks to the batsman’s end. He got into the Punjab Kings as a replacement in the UAE leg. And, was able to score 119 runs from 6 matches. But, Markram can be a very good option for the Royal Challengers. 5. Shimron Hetmyer Shimron Hetmyer. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Shimron Hetmyer has been one of the rising stars in T20 cricket. A big-hitting West Indian, Shimron has been one of the key players in the middle overs for the Caribbean. The left-hander has been impressive in the shortest format. The 2016 U-19 winning captain of West Indies has got a total of 2339 runs in 111 innings at a virtuous strike rate of 131.10 in T20s. In the T20 World Cup, Hetmyer ended up as the highest run-getter for West Indies with 127 runs. Playing for Delhi in the 2021 IPL edition, Hetmyer ended up winning the super striker of the season. He has also got an astounding strike rate of 193 in the death overs. A player like Hetmyer will surely benefit the Men in Red in the locale of AB de Villiers. – Vasudev Pallipurathu

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IPL 2022: 5 players who can replace AB de Villiers in RCB squad

A legendary batsman, AB de Villiers has been one of the illustrious cricketers in the history of the T20 league.

5. Shimron Hetmyer

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