Steyn joins RCB as replacement of Coulter-Nile

In 2016, Dale Steyn played for Gujarat Lions but spent most of the season sitting at the dug-out, appearing only in one game.

Hyderabad: South Africa bowling spearhead Dale Steyn is set to join Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to replace injured Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019, a renowned cricket website reported.

Coulter-Nile is said to have returned to Australia with a stiff back. Notwithstanding, RCB's decision to rope in Steyn will definitely boost their confidence.

The Bangalore based franchise is currently at the bottom of the league table with six consecutive defeats.

Steyn, who played first three seasons of IPL with RCB, went unsold in the 2018 and 2019 IPL auction at a base price of Rs 1.5 crore. The 35-year-old played 28 matches for RCB between 2008 and 2010, picking 27 wickets. In 2016, he played for Gujarat Lions but spent most of the season sitting at the dug-out, appearing only in one game. Steyn, a 90-match IPL veteran, pulled out of the IPL 2017 auction as he recovered from a career-threatening shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Australia pace Coulter-Nile had missed the first few weeks of IPL 2019 owing to his international commitments. He was crucial in Australia's 5-0 ODI series win against Pakistan in the UAE. With the ODI series got over on March 29, he was expected to play his trade for RCB along with Marcus Stoinis.

Currently, Virat Kohli led RCB have been struggling to find their first win of the season. Hence, in-form Steyn's return is expected to boost their confidence ahead of their upcoming match against KXIP on April 13.

Recently, Steyn made his return to South Africa playing XI, claiming 18 wickets in Test and 16 in the ODI. He also burst into the South Africa T20I side after three years during the home series against Sri Lanka.