He could prove to be a great signing - Rajat Bhatia names the X-Factor for Royal Challengers Bangalore in UAE

Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

The 2021 edition of Indian Premier League is all set to resume in UAE and there is already a lot of excitement among the fans. While any team could lift the title this year, there will be high hopes, as always, from one of the most popular franchises in the tournament - Royal Challengers Bangalore. Virat Kohli's side is always in the limelight but this time around, the expectations are way too high considering the form they showed in first half of the season.

RCB have won 5 of their initial 7 matches and find themselves sitting comfortably at 3rd position in the standings. They are one of the favourites to enter play-offs and things are poised very interestingly ahead of the season resumption for them.

Talking about the overseas players, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and Kyle Jamieson are sure starters for the side. However, there is still a debate regarding the final overseas slot. Apart from Daniel Christian, new signings in form of George Garton, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David and Dushmantha Chameera will be competing for the one available spot in the playing XI.

Rajat Bhatia reveals an interesting choice for RCB's 4th overseas player

Reflecting on the same dilemma, former KKR player and cricket expert Rajat Bhatia had a very interesting opinion. The 41-year-old went on to name Singaporean all-rounder Tim David (who has been signed as replacement of Finn Allen) as one of the X-Factor players for remainder of the season, whom he believed could prove to be a great signing for RCB.

"I watched the batting of Tim David in CPL 2021 and it won't be surprising to see him playing for RCB in UAE. He has the ability to hit big shots and I have seen him perform under pressure on numerous occasions. Barring the finals, he looked an exceptional player and it's a brilliant choice by the franchise," said Rajat Bhatia in DafaNews Presents SportsTiger Mid Wicket LIVE show on Saturday.

Tim David ended CPL 2021 campaign as third highest run-getter

Tim David was one of the most impressive players in recently-concluded CPL 2021, where he ended the season as third highest run-getter, with 282 runs in 12 matches. The 25-year-old scored runs at a scintillating strike-rate of 146.11, playing some crucial match-winning knocks for his side.

Reflecting on the same, Bhatia opined that RCB should capitalize on the situation and play an in-form player like Tim David as early as possible to get the best out of him. It will be interesting to see what Virat Kohli's side actually do on September 20, when they open their campaign in UAE against KKR.