The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans suffered another shock defeat in IPL 2022, this time right in the first game of the season, as their bowlers failed to defend 205 runs against the power-packed Punjab Kings’ batting line-up.
RCB did, though, bounced back with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders, however, they almost made a meal of the game, winning it only in the last over while chasing 129.
RCB are not a solid unit at the start of the tournament, and you wouldn’t bet on them at the moment to go on and win the title, one which they have failed to in the past 14 seasons despite more brutal batters in the squad than the current ones.
Here Are 3 Reasons Why RCB Might Struggle In The First Phase Of IPL 2022:
Death Bowling
Although RCB bowled out KKR for 128 in their second game, it was mostly down to the ultra-aggressive intentful batting and stroke making from the Knight Riders that brought their downfall. And they weren’t tested in the death overs as they were against the Punjab batters, who, in particular Odean Smith, took a heavy toll on RCB’s woeful death bowling, despite the presence of Harshal Patel, who will also be taken for runs on good, flatter surfaces.
And even though the addition of Josh Hazlewood will surely strengthen their bowling, the lanky Australian isn’t a renowned death bowler either.
Batters struggling
It’s a bit surprising to say that a top three that has Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli isn’t really a match-winning one. Anuj Rawat is young and inexperienced and this is his first IPL experience; but, Kohli hasn’t been at his best so far, the big sixes are nowhere to be seen while he continues to be ordinary against spinners; Faf du Plessis hasn’t been at his CSK best either and has struggled in both the knocks so far, part of a reason is that he doesn’t play international cricket anymore.
Further, their middle-order, too, found it difficult to get going against KKR spinners until Karthik arrived in the death overs.
It won’t be entirely wrong to say that it is Dinesh Karthik who has looked the calmest and most confident of the RCB batters while playing his shots in the two games.
The Glenn Maxwell sized hole
RCB desperately missed the services of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell in both their games till now. Against Punjab, they missed his off-spin against the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Bhanuka Rajapaksa; versus KKR, Maxwell’s counter-attacking game against KKR spinners was a clear miss for RCB as they had to promote the likes of Willey, Rutherford and Shahbaz Ahmed over Karthik to shield him from Narine and Chakravarthy.
Maxwell, Hazlewood, and rest of the contracted Australian players will be allowed to play in the IPL from April 6th. This means that RCB has to do without that two Aussie players for another match, and the rampant Rajasthan Royals.
