Royal Challengers Bangalore’s wicketkeeping options have been a topic of discussion ahead of the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. In less than two weeks IPL 2021 commences with RCB locking horns with five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the season opener.
Wicketkeeper batsmen Joshua Philippe will be unavailable for the entire season in Indian Premier League 2021 and is replaced by Finn Allen as a replacement who is also a wicket-keeper batsman. This opens up with a wicket-keeping option of AB de Villiers, Mohammed Azharudden and Finn Allen.
RCB Director Mike Hesson Says That AB de Villiers Likely To Be The First Choice Wicket Keeper For RCB
Mike Hesson, the director of cricket with RCB, has said that star batsman AB de Villiers will be a real wicketkeeping option for the team this season after the former South Africa captain had donned the wicketkeeping gloves in a few IPL matches last year. According to Hesson, de Villiers loved the role and wants to do some more this year.
“We were delighted with the fact that Ab de Villiers loved wicketkeeping and he embraced it. He wanted to continue doing it, he is a real option, we now have a couple of other wicketkeeping options which is great. Mohammed Azharuddeen is a natural athlete with gloves and in the field. We also have KS Bharat, he is a natural keeper, gives us different options as well,” said Hesson in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of RCB.
“We are not going to make the commitment now to you guys as to who will do what. We are pleased with the options we have got and AB is certainly one of those,” he added.
RCB’s training camp is all set to begin next week on Monday, March 29 ahead of their opener against MI and according to Hesson, de Villiers is scheduled to arrive on March 28. While their skipper Virat Kohli will be joining the team after leading Team India in the ongoing three-match ODI series against England
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are yet to win the IPL trophy. RCB have a balanced squad this year with both bat and bowl. This might be their year or as their fans say ‘ee saala cup namde’.
