IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore sign Finn Allen as replacement for Josh Philippe

Royal Challengers Bangalore has signed the services of New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman as a replacement for Josh Philippe, who has decided to pull out of the IPL 2021 due to personal reasons.

Philippe didn’t have a great start to his IPL career in the 2020 season as he could only muster 78 runs in the five matches he played.

However, the right-hander did have a great recent edition of BBL 2021 for Sydney Sixers as he had scored 508 runs in 16 matches at an impressive strike rate of 149.41.

On the other hand, Finn Allen has impressed with his pyrotechnics as he has scored 537 runs in 13 T20s at a splendid strike rate of 183.27. But the 21-year old is yet to make his International debut for the Kiwis. In fact, the right-hander scored 512 runs in 11 matches of Super Smash at a majestic strike rate of 193.93.

Allen had a base price of INR 20 lakhs in the auction, which is the same as Philippe. On the other hand, the youngster from Wellington played 12 first-class matches thus far and has scored 343 runs at an average of 19.05 with three fifties and has the highest score of 66. The right-hander has also played in 20 List A games and has scored 501 runs at an average of 25.05 with one hundred and one fifty.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore had gone big in IPL 2021 auction. RCB had bought Australia’s gun all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for INR 14.25 crores whereas they had purchased New Zealand Kyle Jamieson for a whopping amount of INR 15 crores.

Maxwell has the skills to turn the match on its head with his blistering batting whereas Jamieson has impressed everyone in his young Test career.

RCB will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on 9th April.