RCB get Dale Steyn boost

Veteran South African paceman Dale Steyn will join Royal Challengers Bangalore from their game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on April 19th.

In a desperate bid to revive their plunging fortunes in the ongoing IPL, where they have lost all their six matches to stay glued to the bottom of the table, the Bengaluru franchise have fallen back on their old war horse who played for them for the first three years of the league.

The 35-year-old quick will replace Australian paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile who has been ruled out due to a back injury.

A release from RCB media cell said, “Nathan Coulter-Nile is still recovering from an injury and he has been prescribed ample rest. He won’t be able to play during IPL season 12. His absence has been felt greatly both in the team and on ground.”

While RCB’s batting has been inconsistent, their bowling consistently has been poor irrespective of conditions and the total they are defending. It remains to be seen if the 35-year-old, who went unsold in the last auction, provides that missing edge to a listless attack.

While another Australian player – Marcus Stoinis – joined the team after their limited-over series against Pakistan in the UAE, Coluter-Nile returned to his country after reportedly not being cleared by Cricket Australia to play in the IPL.

With the World Cup not too far away and Coulter-Nile likely to be part of their plan for the event, Australia seem to be cautious about the paceman who has been injury-prone. The right-arm quick had also missed last IPL due to injury after RCB had picked him in the auction.