Though Royal Challengers Bangalore got to see one of their favourite son AB de Villiers in full swing yesterday night against Kings XI Punjab, they will still be hoping for Virat Kohli to get “120” percent fit and come back. In absence of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was given the opportunity to lead the squad in IPL 2017.
My opinion on a foreign captain, with a restriction on a number of foreigners, one can have, is different. If you make a foreigner your captain, irrespective of his performance, he should have to be in the team for his performance else he would eat up a place in your side.
In IPL, there is a restriction of maximum up to four players in the playing eleven. Shane Watson, in his first three games, looked rusty, to say the least.
Royal Challengers Bangalore, in their last game, dropped Chris Gayle who is an impact players and can change the course of the league for his side. Gayle looked good in one of his short innings against Hyderabad. He started well and was striking the ball with his usual brute force.
Ok, so here I am giving you two scenarios, one with Chris Gayle opening and the other is Shane Watson opening.
Whom would you fear the most? I guess most of the people will say a team with Gayle in it for a T20 game looks threatening than the other.
Billy Stanlake and highly prized Tymal Mills are going to be a certain choice for most of the RCB matches as their Indian bowling has only spinners of some reputation.
Other than that, a young Australian batsman Travis head, after the first game was dropped from last two games against, Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab.
Against Sunrisers, he was impressive at number three with the score of 30 runs in quick time, even though they lost the game.
I guess, now is the time for RCB to look for an option other than Shane Watson; if Gayle comes back into the squad, I do not see Shane Watson batting at Number five or six.
And Watson can never be your option for your lower middle order, if you want to persist with him you need to let him bat at the top but for RCB, the top order is already booked with Gayle, Kohli, Mandeep and AB de Villiers.