Have we not seen the script unfold time and time again? Royal Challengers Bangalore against Chennai Super Kings more often than not, ends up in favour of CSK. With last night’s win, CSK has won 50% more than RCB. It denotes significant domination on the part of CSK. The only difference was that this time, it was a high scoring contest. The game itself was breathtaking for some astounding shots. Cricket is a game for the batsmen and T20 more so at that, pitches like these will only kill the game sooner than expected. RCB and their nemesis CSK
RCB seems to be having problems everywhere. Lack of support for their main batsmen and a lack of quality bowlers. Every opponent realises that it is just a question of 3 wickets and the entire team will fold. That is exactly what happened last night at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The partnership between Faf Plessis and Maxwell was incredible. They scored 126 runs in just 61 deliveries. That is more than 2 runs for every delivery. Chasing a tall score, it was very much required. So long as both of them were at the crease,
RCB believed that they can pull off an incredible chase. However, at the back of their minds, they knew that one wicket could spell trouble and their fears turned out true. It just beggars belief how brittle the RCB’s batting order is. You just cannot have Shahbaz Ahmed walk in at number 5. The absence of Rajit Patidar is a major blow for RCB but it should not mean that the entire batting becomes somewhat suspect.
Problems for RCB
There are far too many liabilities in RCB. It really is a surprise that the management has persisted with these players for so long. Shahbaz Ahmed, I really do not know what is his role in the team. He does not bowl his full quota of overs. He does not have the power batting that is required from someone who comes in down the order. After the belligerence of Faf & Maxwell, it was purely down to Shahbaz’s wastage of deliveries, Bangalore fell behind the asking rate. Until Faf & Maxwell were batting, the asking rate was not only in control but it dropped by a couple of runs but Shahbaz’s batting brought the pressure right back on RCB.
Harshal Patel is another who is overrated. He had a fabulous season a couple of seasons ago and he was rewarded with a spot on the Indian side because of that. Thereafter, he was utterly exposed. The slower deliveries were became quite easy to pick. There is a big difference between bowling one ball at 145KMPH and the very next one at 115KMPH.
The batsman will be flummoxed. Whereas Harshal’s pace is around the 125KMPH mark and his slower ones around 115KMPH. There isn’t much difference at all. The batsman will always be able to adjust. To make matters worse, he bowled a couple of high full tosses that he was banned from bowling. That final over cost the game for RCB. You just cannot bowl a 10-ball final over. It is a crime. CSK made complete use of such largesse.
Wicket keeper batsman will have to change
Dinesh Karthik is another liability. Sure he had a fantastic 2022 IPL. Last season, he had the luxury of a Patidar above him who batted almost throughout the innings in the company of Lomror and as a result, Karthik was left with only the last 2-3 overs to create mayhem. However, in the absence of Rajat Patidar, Karthik just cannot stick to his old methods. He needs to take more responsibility and bat according to the situation. He just cannot say that he is a finisher and that he will bat only during the fag end of the innings. It is time Karthik adapts his method or he is shown the door.
Bowling is another worry
If the batting is a concern, bowling is even more of a worry. The injuries to Reece Topley and Hazlewood have definitely impacted RCB’s bowling plan. Especially Topley but the bowling leaves a lot to be desired. Hasaranga and Siraj are probably their best bowlers. Perhaps, it will be better to allow Maxwell 4 overs so that one more batsman can be picked. Somehow, just somehow, they need to find a way to replace Harshal. He is expensive and is not the same death bowler any longer.
Wrapping up RCB and their nemesis CSK
The Bangalore pitch curator must prepare pitches that suit RCB’s strengths. They have bowlers who can make use of a fast pitch and the batsmen are adept at facing fast bowling. This is what they must target to maximise home advantage. This sort of placid batting tracks will only comeback to haunt RCB.
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