The RCB saga continues

17 seasons and no title yet. This is the story of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. It simply is unfathomable that a team that boasts of several stars in its ranks, starting with Dravid and Kumble through to Gayle, Kohli, De Villiers, Faf, Maxwell and a few others, some of them playing at the sametime, has not managed to win a single IPL title. Anything and everything that must go wrong went wrong for RCB in the first eliminator at Ahmedabad. The supporters of RCB must really be commended. For 17 years, they have not had anything to celebrate. Yet, they turn up in large numbers to support the team. Not only do they turn up in large numbers but the number of viewers, if what Jio Cinema displays is anything to go by, is phenomenal. Despite all of this, the RCB saga continues.

Having said that, RCB can blame only themselves. They had the horrendous that can be imagined. At the halfway stage, they lost 7 games with just a solitary win. It could not get any worse. At that stage, even the die-hard RCB fan would have lost hope of the team qualifying for the playoff. From then on, their fortunes turned around remarkably. They won 6 games consecutively and had other results that suited them which culminated in the thrilling win against their perennial nemesis, Chennai Super Kings at Bangalore. It was a turnaround that none expected or only a handful expected. It was thrilling while it lasted. Here, I am not casting any aspersions about how they managed to win so many games when it didn’t seem that they were capable of winning any until that point. I am strictly going by cricketing merit.

Over dependence on Kohli

The resurgence was led by their batsmen. Predominantly, Virat Kohli. Probably, Gavaskar’s criticism of him, playing way too slowly for the demands of the game, seems to have motivated him. Questions were also raised about his ability against spin, especially, leg-spin. All of that inspired him to increase his strike rate dramatically. From a strike rate in the early 100s to a strike rate to touching 200, that was remarkable transformation. He even introduced the slog-sweep. No one would have imagined that such a shot is even in the repertoire of Kohli. Sure, we have seen him play that shot but to consistently employ that shot against spinners is something of a revelation.

“It’s an evolving process,” Kohli said after his 92 off 47 balls against Punjab at Dharmashala. “I brought out the slog-sweep against the spinners. I didn’t practice it, I know I have hit it in the past. I’m always looking to expose that side of the field against spin. I know I need to take risks, it needs a bit of conviction, I have been managing to stay ahead of that thought. I am trying to keep up with the strike rate for me and the team.”

As luck would have it, he fell to the leg-spin of Chahal in the crucial eliminator. I for one, never really trust Kohli when it comes to knock-out games. Be it for the nation or for RCB. This is one blot that he will never be able to erase from his career. There were lot of opportunities in the 4^th innings of Tests that he could not capitalise and in the World Cups, he has seldom performed in the semi-final. He could not transcend the conditions and the pressure of the final in the ODI WC of 2023.

Absolute waste of money

It is Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell is the most overrated cricketer in the entire history of IPL. Everyone and every franchise that he has ever played seems to be impressed by his occasional brutal innings and is willing to go to any extent to purchase him. The fact of the matter is that Maxwell, atleast in the IPL, never roared like a tiger. Rather, he was a pussy cat everytime he walked to the crease. It is safe to say that Virat Kohli, fell into the trap of Maxwell. A couple of years ago, when it became apparent that Maxwell would not be picked by any franchise, he cleverly said in the media that he would love to play for RCB and under Virat Kohli.

Kohli was deceived by such talks and probably convinced the team management to pick Maxwell who has not repaid the faith Kohli placed upon him. One can only hope that every IPL franchise calls his bluff and decides not to hire him ever again.

Disappointments

There are quite a few. It starts right at the top and the captain, Faf Plessis. After a stellar 2023, Faf failed to set the stands on fire. He is too old and having retired from the game, he does not get that much of game time to constantly be in touch with his batting. Perhaps, the time has come from him to bid adieu from the game.

Cameroon Green is another on whom there were lot of expectations but he did not live upto the billing. I personally felt that with his ability for explosive batting, RCB will more often than not, post scores that will be beyond the reach of the opponents. By the looks of it, it seems he hasn’t understood T20 batting. RCB being RCB, will definitely pick him for the next season as well.

Where were the bowlers for the entirety of the tournament?

Success of the season

Apart from Kohli, it is Rajat Patidar. Though he wasn’t at his best during the initial part of the tournament, he alongwith Kohli was the reason for RCB’s resurgence during the 2^nd stage of the tournament. If at all RCB wants to retain someone alongwith Kohli, it must be Patidar. He has done enough to even become the next captain.

Wrapping up The RCB saga continues the way ahead

Entire revamp of the squad is the need of the hour. Karthik anyway has announced that this will be his last season. The time has come to release all the bowlers and hire good bowlers. Leave out the Aussies, Green and Maxwell and a respected send-off for Faf.
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