Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made some interesting moves in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 player auction and have strengthened their team significantly since the last edition. Shiamak Unwalla analyses the new names in the team. Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 schedule: IPL 8 match time table with venue details
With a top-order boasting Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ought to have won the trophy at least once already. That they have managed to reach just two finals, and have failed to make the final four on multiple times, is a testament to their inconsistency. IPL 2015 Auction: Full list of players bought by RCB for IPL 8
RCB made nine additions to their side. Dinesh Karthik — who was bought for a whopping Rs 10.5 crore — was the most high-profile buy, but the likes of Darren Sammy, Sean Abbott, Adam Milne, and David Wiese add a lot of depth to the side. As for the other Indian purchases, Subramaniam Badrinath, Sarfaraz Khan, Jalaj Saxena, and Shishir Bhavane make handy additions. IPL 2015 Auction: Full list of players unsold for IPL 8
Karthik has long been a potent force for whichever IPL team he plays for. His performance for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2013 was good enough to merit a return to the national side for the ICC Champions Trophy that year. Karthik will help strengthen the RCB batting, especially after loss of Yuvraj Singh. IPL 2015 Auction: List of players to be auctioned in IPL 8
Sammy and Wiese are both quality all-rounders who can hit the ball to all ends of the park while also contributing with the ball. Given that RCB were struggling to field game-changing overseas players to partner Gayle and de Villiers, they have picked up a lot of quality players here. Abbott and Milne will provide Mitchell Starc with some backup in the pace bowling department as well. IPL 2015 Player Auction Updates
The experienced veteran Badrinath will make for a stable player either at the top or in the middle order — depending on where he is made to bat — while the 17-year old Sarfaraz has long been earmarked as one for the future by those who have seen him play. Jalaj and Bhavane provide some more domestic talent.
Strengths: With Gayle, Kohli, and de Villiers in the top four, RCB have perhaps the most explosive batting line-up in the tournament.
Weaknesses: The bowling attack remains shaky at best.
Strange selection: Dinesh Karthik. His selection in itself is not strange at all, but the price tag of Rs 10.5 crore is perhaps a tad high. It will also cause unnecessary pressure on Karthik.
Dark horse: Sarfaraz Khan. The young Mumbai all-rounder has the batting chops to succeed on the big stage. The IPL will be a good way for him to showcase his abilities.
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and Cricket fanatic. You can follow him on Twitter @ShiamakUnwalla)
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