The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a decent season last year where they finally managed to make it to the playoffs after 2016. Virat Kohli marshalled his troops really well throughout the tournament and was proud of their efforts.
Although RCB got crashed out of the tournament in the Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, their fans will be optimistic of another good upcoming IPL season that would finally give them that elusive maiden IPL title.
There are a few players who have done really well after the IPL 2020 season and look to be in great form coming into IPL 2021. Let’s have a look at five such players who have been in good form after the IPL last year.
1. Devdutt Padikkal
A lot was expected out of young Devdutt Padikkal at the top of the order for RCB. He didn’t disappoint, having scored a staggering 473 runs from 15 games and being one of the main reasons why RCB made it to the playoffs.
Padikkal also had a great 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, having scored 218 runs in 6 games at an average of 43.60 at a strike-rate of 134.56. He will be hoping to be more effective and prolific for RCB in the upcoming season and take a lot of pressure off the shoulders of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
2. Josh Philippe
Josh Philippe didn’t get many chances for RCB in the last season, having played only 5 games and scoring 78 runs. However, with Aaron Finch being released ahead of the IPL 2021 season, the young Australian is likely to partner with Padikkal at the top of the order.
Philippe also had a sensational season for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, where he was the third-highest run-scorer. He scored 508 runs in 16 games at a phenomenal strike rate of 149.41. He is in red-hot form and will be keen to contribute for RCB consistently in the upcoming IPL season.
3. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar did not have the greatest of IPL seasons last year, having scored just 111 runs in 15 games and picking up eight wickets. However, he was economical, and he took the same confidence with him into Team India’s tour Down Under.
Sundar couldn’t quite make a difference in the T20I series, but little did he know that he was going to be a huge part of Team India’s historic Birder-Gavaskar Trophy win. He made his Test debut at the Gabba and in his very first innings scored a crucial 62 which helped the visitors get closer to Australia’s total.
He formed a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant in the second innings and also picked up four wickets in the game to seal the victory as well as the series in India’s favour. He has carried that form with the bat in the first Test against England, where is scored a valuable 85*.
4. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj had an impressive IPL season, where he became the first bowler to bowl two maiden overs in the same match. He played only 9 games but picked up 11 wickets and was sensational with the new ball.
Siraj’s impressive performances in domestic cricket earned him a call-up to Team India’s Test squad. Unfortunately, he lost his father while he was in quarantine in Sydney. But, he took the bold decision of staying back and playing for his country.
An injury to Mohammed Shami handed Siraj his Test debut in Melbourne and he hasn’t looked back ever since. He picked up 13 wickets in the series and was the highest wicket-taker for the Indian team Down Under. This improved version of Siraj will be very handy for RCB in IPL 2021.
5. Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa had an underwhelming IPL season as he failed to make a mark in the RCB team, picking up just 2 wickets in 3 games. Thus, many were surprised when RCB announced that they had retained the leggie.
However, Zampa was impressive in the limited-overs leg of India’s tour to Australia. In the ODI and T20I series combined, Zampa picked up 10 wickets and was economical. He also had a brilliant Big Bash League where he picked 19 wickets in 12 games.
Thus, retaining him might not have been that bad an idea by RCB. He will be looking to get more chances in the upcoming season.
