RCB, probably the name is the biggest problem. Challengers. The players must have taken it literally in that they always want to be the challengers rather than the winners. The eternal bridesmaid of IPL, RCB is just clueless about what is required for them to go onto the next level. Change of captain too did not help the franchise either. This is a review of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022.
The franchise finished 3rd in the competition which is a slight improvement from last year. In that sense, it was progress but a title win remains elusive. For some reason, they start the season really well and endure a mid-season slump and a surge in the later stages. This template, the team followed last year and the previous one. Either they become complacent after winning initially and then panic later or they are plain stupid. What else can explain this continued dilly dallying in their performance?
It truly is unbelievable that RCB, which was served by 2 of the most destructive batsman of their time, Virat Kohli and De Villiers, for a significant part, is yet to win a single IPL trophy. I do agree that 2 batsmen do not make a team but then, these batsmen were expected to transcend ordinariness into oblivion but they failed at the most inopportune moment. It really is a shame that despite 14 attempts, RCB is yet to win a single title. The wait endures. No one really knows how long is this wait going to last.
A Change of guard at the top was expected to bring a change in fortunes for the RCB but things remained the same.
The failure of the big three
The big three is made up of Faf Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell. None of them had a great tournament. Virat Kohli especially, endured a horrendous run. Thrice he was out for a golden duck. He is completely out of form. It will be better for him and for the Indian team if he takes a break from all forms of cricket. It is unfortunate that these players choose to skip when playing for India but not when they play for their respective franchises. Also, it is unfortunate that these franchises want the box office players to play in all the games irrespective of the fact whether they prove themselves to be useful or otherwise. Sometimes I do really wonder whether the franchises do really care about winning.
Du Plessis, the captain and opening bat, found wanting
Faf Plessis on the otherhand had a wretched tournament. He just wasn’t the same player that terrorised bowling attacks in last year’s IPL playing for CSK. Except for one game, he either failed to go onto a substantial score or score quickly to upset the rhythm of the opposing bowlers. With Anuj Rawat at the other end, RCB never really got any momentum going in the initial phase. Kohli replaced Rawat but found the going to be tough.
Maxwell was nowhere to be seen
Glenn Maxwell was the third of the big trio who had a wretched run. Back in the day, when RCB signed him, there were suggestions that except for one season, Maxwell never really justified his selection. The trend seems to continue. He had a decent first season with RCB but did not have a good one the next time around. Perhaps, the number 4 position was a couple of positions too high for him. He is a destroyer in the mould of Karthik and probably his ideal position could have been at 6. Nonetheless, being a senior with loads of experience behind him, he must have taken more responsibility and must have played a stellar role. Alas, it wasn’t to be.
These top players were quite inept during the eliminator and the 2nd qualifier and thereby placing an enormous amount of pressure on the shoulders of Patidar, Karthik & Lomror. Patidar came out with flying colours and Karthik was alright for the most part though he failed in the crucial knock-out game.
The less said about the bowlers
Here is a group of bowlers who weren’t able to pick up early wickets whereas their counterparts from other teams, regularly took RCB’s openers easily. RCB’s average while bowling was 46. That was the highest among all the teams. It is a telling statistic. This was one particular passage of play that virtually ensured their elimination in the 2nd eliminator. Jos Buttler who has otherwise taken few deliveries to get going, launched himself on the RCB bowlers and alongwith Jaiswal, sealed the game in those 6 overs.
Mohammed Siraj may have been good last year but this year, he proved to be the least effective. Yet, RCB persisted with him including in the all important eliminator. He conceded 31 sixes, the most for a single IPL season, not to mention his economy rate of over 10. Across the history of IPL, this was the highest economy rate in any season. Another important statistic is that he is the only one to have taken 5 wickets during the powerplay. It shows how the rest of the bowlers fared.
Therein lies the essence of RCB’s season. It makes one wonder whether RCB were really lucky to have even qualified for the knock-out. Thrice they were saved by the belligerence of Karthik. If it falls on the wicket-keeper to rescue the team often, there is something fundamentally wrong within the team.
Shabhaz Ahmed was one other bowler who except for one innings with the bat, failed to slow down the scoring or pick up regular wickets.
Wanindu was the lone torch bearer
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for RCB. Hasaranga repaid the faith that was placed on him completely. He finished as the 2nd highest wicket taker. Without his contribution with the ball, RCB may have slipped further into the abyss. Nonetheless, he will have to improve his fielding which is quite basic at the moment.
What is RCB missing?
They are missing a lot of parts. For starters, they need a couple of good solid openers. Padikkal was exceptional last year but what was the wisdom behind not bidding for him. Faf is really struggling and I do see that his days at the top level is all but over. Kohli and Maxwell aren’t amongst the runs either and the bowling cupboard looks threadbare.
With the rules of IPL as it is, RCB is stuck with these players for the next couple of years. They must form a strategy right now and try to invest in solid openers, three good middle order batsmen and 3 very good fast bowlers.
Conclusion to review of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022
I do not see a way out for RCB until the next auction unless they can find some players to trade.
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