IPL 2021: Five Players Who Can Replace Dale Steyn In Royal Challengers Bangalore

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn‘s unavailability has come across as a massive blow to Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s (RCB) chances ahead of IPL 2021. Steyn on Saturday (January 2) confirmed he will be on a break in April-May and won’t taking part in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Dale Steyn played only three games and picked up just one wicket for RCB in IPL 2020 in UAE. But with him around, the Virat Kohli led team had so much more experience available in their ranks.

Steyn boasts of an impressive record in his overall IPL career. The 37-year-old has taken 97 wickets and bowled with an economy rate of 6.91 in 95 games playing for various franchises. Filling Dale Steyn’s void is going to take some doing, but the RCB think-tank will certainly look at the viable alternatives.

Five Players Who Can Replace Dale Steyn In Royal Challengers Bangalore:

5. Mitchell Starc

Due to the busy international calendar and excessive workload, Starc has opted out of multiple IPL seasons now. Starc last played an IPL game in 2015. But if the Australian left-arm paceman confirms his availability, he is bound to fetch huge money from RCB for a recall. The 30-year-old has played 27 IPL games and taken 34 wickets while going at 7.17 runs per over.

With Starc, RCB can look to finally resolve their longstanding issue as a bowling unit. Though the team reached the playoffs in UAE last season, their death-bowling remained a problem. Starc can be used to not only replace Dale Steyn but also plug this massive hole in Kohli’s team.

4. Mustafizur Rahman

At his best, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman can be another brilliant replacement for Steyn in the left-arm variety. Rahman hasn’t been around for the last couple of seasons due to workload issues and injury concerns. If available, however, Rahman can be a dependable option for RCB on the bowling front.

The 25-year-old has played 24 IPL games in his career with 24 wickets while bowling with an economy of 7.51. He was integral to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lifting their only IPL trophy back in 2016. Rahman has shown the tendency to soak in the pressure well and perform at crucial stages in T20 cricket. He can surely replace Dale Steyn in RCB in IPL 2021.

3. Kyle Jamieson

The year 2020 saw the emergence of New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson at the international stage. Jamieson has been magnificent for the Kiwis in his young career so far. Born in Auckland, the 26-year-old has featured in 5 Tests, 2 ODIs and 4 T20Is only but is already an impactful cricketer for the Black Caps.

In Test matches especially, Jamieson has only added more strength to what was anyway a very threatening New Zealand pace attack. He has taken 25 wickets at an average of just 14.44 in the game’s traditional format with two five wicket-hauls.

With his tall stature generating disconcerting bounce and propensity to deliver hard lengths at a good pace, Jamieson can swiftly transition into any IPL bowling attack. RCB think-tank will surely be interested in him. He can surely replace Dale Steyn in RCB in IPL 2021.

2. Kane Richardson

Richardson was all set to play the IPL 2020 for RCB until the Australian fast bowler took a difficult decision to withdraw his name from the competition. He later revealed it was a call taken after the birth of his first child and in consideration of the travel restrictions amid COVID-19 pandemic.

In Richardson’s place, RCB roped in wrist-spinner Adam Zampa. But given that he was part of the team’s plans and has a sense of familiarity with the set-up, Richardson can get a look in again this season.

The 29-year-old has played 14 IPL games and taken 18 wickets while bowling at an economy rate of 8.38. He will surely be part of the discussions around Dale Steyn’s ideal replacement.

1. S Sreesanth

A controversial inclusion could be of Sreesanth. The ex India and Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer can be part of the RCB think-tank’s brain for Steyn’s replacement. Sreesanth has now overcome the ban imposed on him for alleged involvement in 2013 IPL match-fixing saga.

The Kerala born cricketer is all set to resume his domestic cricket career with the forthcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. If he performs, Sreesanth will have strengthened his claim for a bid as he is now allowed to put his name forward in the IPL auction. The 37-year-old has been working hard on his fitness and will come with a point to prove. He can surely replace Dale Steyn in RCB in IPL 2021.