IPL 2019: 3 ways RCB can still qualify for the playoffs

Despite never winning the prestigious IPL trophy, Royal Challengers Bangalore are certainly amongst the most loved teams in the tournament, alongside MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI). Although they were never the hot favourites to win the tournament this time around, RCB's disastrous showings until now have been outrageously unexpected and have broken many hearts along the way. With 6 defeats in a row, this has undoubtedly been their worst start to the season in the history of the IPL.

So, can they qualify for playoffs?

As much as we may admire RCB, the possibility of them qualifying for the playoffs looks to be an unrealistic proposition. The odds are completely against them (and it appears that luck isn’t either!). The only other time when an IPL team (Delhi Daredevils) were in a similar situation back in 2013, they expectedly ended up at the bottom of the table (9th).

However, mathematically speaking, they can still make it through ‘comfortably’ by winning every single game (8) – In fact, they can still afford to lose one more game and yet qualify for the playoffs, should they end with an excellent Net Run Rate (NRR). As a matter of fact, Virat Kohli and Co. can certainly take inspiration from Mumbai Indians' performances back in 2014 where despite losing their first 5 games, they still ended up qualifying for the playoffs.

Should they succeed to qualify for the playoffs, it will, without a doubt, be the greatest comeback in the history of the IPL, and knowing Virat’s love affair with records, the RCB fans can be up for some extravagant treat.

Here are the three ways RCB can still qualify for the playoffs this season:

#1 Virat Kohli – AB de Villiers Show

Up until now this season, the only two occasions RCB scored a massive total was when both the batting maestros clicked together (181 vs MI and 205 vs KKR). Despite the presence of few other quality hard-hitters such as Parthiv Patel, Moeen Ali and Marcus Stoinis, RCB are still heavily reliant on Kohli and De Villiers for scoring a big total.

Though they are more than capable of winning games single-handedly, this IPL, especially considering the dicey scenario now, both batsmen need to perform together to score big or chase down any total. Not only they have the patience to build an innings, they also possess superlative powers to demolish the opposition with their exuberant power hitting.

Without a doubt, they hold the key to RCB’s success and they have to deliver consistently game after game to ensure their team come out victorious in the upcoming matches.

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#2 Coming together of the bowling unit

Though T20s are widely recognized to be a batsman’s paradise and a bowler’s nightmare, a closely-contested tournament like the IPL cannot be won by sheer batting skills. The bowling unit equally has an important role to play. Unfortunately, just like their batting, the bowling unit has not really clicked for RCB.

Frankly speaking, RCB does not have a lethal bowling unit to scare the opposition and they have already experienced the repercussions. On more than a few occasions, they have failed to defend more than respectable totals and in fact, lost games from a winning situation due to their poor bowling, especially at the death overs.

Having said that, they have some quality bowlers – Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Moeen Ali along with Yuzvendra Chahal and now, with Marcus Stoinis joining in, they certainly can make a meaningful impact together.

It’s high time they come together, learn from their recent performances, plan their game in the dressing room against respective opponents and effectively implement it in out there on the field. Certainly, there isn’t any doubt in regards to their potential but it’s just a matter of application.

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#3 Virat’s Exceptional Leadership

As it always happens and to some extent rightfully, the captain comes under severe scrutiny after a dismal show and Virat has not been spared either. Cricketing experts around the world, including former Indian cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, has openly criticized Virat’s leadership skills, despite his excellent record at the international level. Following Virat’s career over the years, such criticism could just be the much-needed fuel to lit up the fire in the belly and turn things around for RCB.

But just the enthusiasm will not deliver the results. It is important that Virat takes a leaf out of MS Dhoni’s book. Just routine team selection, usual field settings, and ordinary bowling changes will not lead RCB to the playoffs. Moving forward, the RCB captain needs to plan the game along with the team management and prepare effective match-winning strategies against their opponents.

To start with, he needs to have the best XI on the field for the particular game, considering the opponent and match conditions. Moreover, he should not just go by the flow and wait for things to occur but instead, he should make things happen by being a proactive captain. Virat should make impulsive bowling changes depending on the situation along with innovative field placings to disturb the opponents’ usual pattern. Also, the batting order should be flexible based on the match situation.

In fast-paced T20 matches, these minute decisions can make a vast difference in the eventual outcome and therefore, Virat should not only be on top but actually be ahead of the game to make timely impactful choices leading to fruitful results.

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