The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are certainly the team that has the most loyal fanbase. They also happen to be the team that makes the IPL entertaining. On their day, the lads from Bangalore can shower you with a barrage of sixes. All of the things seem going well for RCB at this stage with them being placed 3rd in the points table. Their bowling seems decently well and their batting has always been their strength. So, here’s a quick analysis of the men in red: –
Strengths of RCB: –
RCB’s strength as usual is their batting firepower. They begin with the dynamic duo of Virat and Devdutt Padikkal. At 4 they have the hard-hitting services of Glenn Maxwell and they have the best floater in the world, ABD! The team has also roped in an in-form Tim David as a replacement for Finn Allen. Allen himself had come in as a replacement for Joshua Phillipe.
Their Indian pace bowlers are also the best of the lot. They have “Miya Magic”, Siraj who can give you a good 3 overs in the powerplay. Added to it is the pace and zing of Navdeep. Kylie Jamieson also provides an added dimension.
Weakness of RCB: –
With the absence of Washington Sundar, RCB now lacks a spinner who can bowl in the powerplay. Though Yuzi can do the required it has been a while that he was given that role. Also, they need to look for an option that can take the ball away from the left-hander. At times they also look short of an Indian Batsmen. Rajat Patidar and Mohammad Azharuddeen are present but they do not show the promise.
Opportunities for RCB: –
The absence of Washington Sundar brings in a huge opportunity for Shabaz Ahmed! This spinning left-handed all-rounder looked solid in the first leg of the IPL. He single-handedly won the game for RCB against SRH on a turning Chennai wicket. His batting is very highly rated by RCB skipper Kohli and he also backs this young lad. Wanindu Hasaranga also cannot get a better opportunity. With Yuzi alongside him, he will be supremely lethal!
Threats for RCB: –
It’s big-time that the entire RCB team needs to contribute and come to the party. Over-dependence on Kohli and ABD needs to end. And this in fact has been witnessed in the first leg. With the kind of responsibility that Maxwell has shown, he can take RCB all the way. Also, the biggest threat can be Dan Christian misfiring! RCB lacks a pace-bowling all-rounder and if Christian misses his mark, the balance of the team can be hampered. Death bowling also needs to be addressed. They can’t rely on cutters and slower ones as the Dubai pitches will offer a lot of paces.