IPL: 5 Players RCB should not release ahead of the next season

IPL is approaching its business end, with three teams, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, qualified for the playoffs. The fourth spot will be decided after the last match of the league stage which will be played between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. MI is looking for a place in the top two, which will ensure a second chance for them during the playoffs while if KKR wins they will be able to qualify and if they lose Sunrisers Hyderabad will edge past them to get into the top four. A few teams could not get their tactics right this season, such as the Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). RR did not have proper backups for their main players like Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and also lacked a good bowling attack. KXIP had some big names in their squad but the lack of availability of a sixth bowling option proved costly to them. Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) did not get their combinations right as well despite having one of the strongest teams on the paper. They lost their first six matches in a row but, came back stronger at the back end of the league. They will hope to make amends for this year by coming back stronger next season. RCB had an impressive set of players but many lacked form this year. Even though the season has ended for them, now they have to take a big step forward and retain only the important players for the upcoming IPL season. Here we bring you the possible list of players whom RCB should retain: 1. Parthiv Patel Parthiv Patel. (Photo: IANS) The 34-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has done a fabulous job for RCB this season. He has given Bangalore a good energetic start to the innings. He is RCB’s third highest run-getter this season just behind Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Parthiv Patel has scored 373 runs this year with a strike-rate touching nearly 140. He has hit a total of 48 fours this tournament, the highest for Bangalore overtaking Virat’s 46. Moreover, Parthiv’s wicket-keeping was also exceptional behind the stumps and there is no question of him getting released. RCB will surely look to retain him ahead of next year’s IPL. 2. Moeen Ali Moeen Ali. (Photo Source: Twitter) This year, we all saw a different Moeen Ali. He did not play in the traditional way, he usually does. He was always looking to go after the bowlers and played an important role for RCB. Moeen Ali also bowled some crucial overs and held his nerves. He had to leave early after being picked in the England World Cup squad which also caused a few issues for RCB. He took six big wickets with an economy of under seven. The left-hander also scored a total of 220 runs with a heavy strike-rate of 165.41. His top score of 66 in just 28 balls came against Kolkata Knight Riders, where Bangalore scored their highest total of the season, 213. 3. Marcus Stoinis Marcus Stoinis. (Photo Source: Twitter) The Australian all-rounder was brilliant with the bat this year. He finished off many matches and helped RCB gain the momentum back to the dressing room. Even though he could not get many wickets, he was also able to chip in with the ball and bowled some good overs in the death too. Marcus Stoinis was not able to get any half-centuries this season but ended up getting a total of 211 runs with an average of over fifty and a strike-rate of 135.25. He was able to bowl with an economy of under nine but could only take two wickets in the ten matches which he played. 4. Navdeep Saini Navdeep Saini. (Photo Source: Twitter) Navdeep Saini is one of the emerging players this season. He was the biggest positive for RCB. The pacer improved with every game and bowled the most difficult overs for the team. Though his numbers are decent and there is no question of Virat Kohli releasing him from the team. He spoke highly of Saini during the tournament every now and then. Saini, thanks to his superb show, is set to travel to England with Team India to bowl them in the nets. As far as the numbers are concerned, he ended with 11 wickets in 13 matches and conceded runs at an economy of 8.27. 5. Shimron Hetmyer Shimron Hetmyer. (Photo: IANS) This big-hitting Caribbean was snapped up for a whopping amount of Rs 4.2 crore in the IPL auction. He has proved his ability in different leagues worldwide and also for his country. He has scored two centuries and two half-centuries in the 14 matches he has played for Windies. Much was expected out of this young star but, he failed to perform in the first four matches and was rested until the last league match for RCB. When he got a final chance to make a name for himself in the IPL, the swashbuckling batsman scored a brilliant 75 off just 47 deliveries. He hit 6 sixes and 4 fours with a splendid strike-rate of 160 to take RCB home. Bangalore’s star players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers failed to perform against the SRH but, Hetmyer rose to the occasion and showed everyone what he is really capable of. This performance has made all his fans and even the RCB camp very happy. Kohli even hinted at the post-match presentation that they might be retaining him. Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com. ~Written by Jerin Varghese M

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IPL: 5 Players RCB should not release ahead of the next season

These players are immensely talented and should spend another season with RCB.

4. Navdeep Saini

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