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It is indeed very tough to be a fan of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. For when everything seems to be balanced on paper, RCB somehow tend to find a way to lose the tournament. However, as the new season of IPL is all set to commence this March, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be hoping to change their fortunes this time around after a fruitful auction in December 2018 where they managed to bag few match-winners.
Over the years, it has always been the over-reliance on star players, extra power in either one of their departments and inability to cling on to the crucial moments that have cost them the trophy each time. Normally, fans would get frustrated supporting a team which just doesn’t know how to cross the final barrier.
However, Bangalore fans are one of the most passionate and enthusiastic fans ever as they come out to support their fans in large numbers year after year. Hopefully then, RCB will be able to gift renewed hope, joy and energy to these fans with an improved performance in the forthcoming season.
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Here is a look at how the RCB squad looks like ahead of the league.
Openers: Devdutt Paddikal
Middle-order batsmen: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Milind Kumar, Himmat Singh, Shimron Hetmyer
Wicketkeepers: Parthiv Patel, Heinrich Klaasen
Allrounders: Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Marcus Stoinis, Prayas Ray Barman, Akshdeep Nath, Gurkeerat Singh, Shivam Dube
Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi
Fast bowlers: Kulwant Khejroliya, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mohammad Siraj, Tim Southee
Batting
Predominantly, RCB have always been a batsmen-heavy team. Although it is true that most of the batting is dependent upon the star batsmen, it is also true that at least one of these star batsmen have delivered for them in each season.
However, this year it was a different scenario. Prior to the auctions, RCB had three front-line batsmen: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Parthiv Patel. This meant that they had serious concerns regarding the batting aspect of the team. Nonetheless, RCB managed to draft into the side the trio of Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen and Shivam Dube.
The batting order though, might be an issue. Given that 18-year-old stylish opener Devdutt Paddikal is the only specialist opener in the side, Parthiv Patel might be a handy option along with him at the top of the order as he has tasted reasonable amount of success in the powerplay overs. However, Virat at the opening slot can also be a possibility if Klaasen bats in the middle order as a wicketkeeper-batsman.
RCB bought an additional batsman in Milind Kumar, who is also the fastest to reach 1000 runs in the Ranji Season 2018-19, which could be a game-changing move as it saves a slot that could be utilized for some of their overseas options.
However Milind Kumar along with Himmat Singh (490 runs in 11 First-Class games) might have to wait for their chance in the league.
With a solid middle order and a good bunch of all-rounders, RCB’s opening remains an enigma and fans will have to wait and watch to see who comes out to open the batting for them when the Bengaluru-based side takes the field.
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Bowling
The bowling composition of this team looks more or less complete, with a good mix of spinners and fast bowlers. The spin department will undoubtedly be led by Yuzvendra Chahal, who can be brilliantly supported by Washington Sundar. Also beneficial for the team could be their complementary styles of bowling.
While one can restrict the flow of runs, the other can outfox batsmen with his guile and ability to turn the ball big. While Chahal is a wrist spinner who can bowl in the middle and end overs, Sundar is a traditional finger spinner, not afraid to bowl in the power play.
RCB also have the spin bowling options of Pawan Negi and Moeen Ali. Although Negi didn’t live up to the hype he created under MS Dhoni, he could be a useful option as well and as far as Ali is concerned, he has done surprisingly well with the ball and is quite capable with the bat in hand.
In the pace bowling department, Umesh Yadav revived his limited overs career with an excellent season last year and all eyes will be on him this season as he is expected to lead the pack. Along with him is somebody like a Mohammad Siraj, who has raw pace to work with and can definitely make his mark in the tournament, given Virat’s tendency to go with the extra pace in the team.
As far as overseas pacers are concerned, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Tim Southee find their place in the squad. However, in all probability, one of them might get a go in the playing XI. Given Coulter-Nile’s success in the league, he will be the preferred pacer and will have to take the charge of bowling the crucial power play overs as well as come back and bowl at the death since Yadav was a little expensive in the back end of the innings in the previous season.
Kulwant Khejroliya (16 wickets, 13 T20s) and Navdeep Saini (13 wickets, 14 T20s) as backup seamers is a pleasing sight for any captain given their track record in domestic cricket.
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All- Rounders
RCB have plenty of options to choose from in this segment and it is sure to be a problem of plenty for the team management. Marcus Stoinis and Colin de Grandhomme stand out in the group. However, the question is: Can RCB afford to play them both in the same game?
For if both Stoinis and Grandhomme feature in the same match only one among Hetmyer and Klassen can play with a place for an overseas bowler. Not to forget, Moeen Ali who helped RCB win a few games last season could feature as well.
Additionally, Shivam Dube, who is in fine form in the shortest format, could well be the difference for them this year. But that is not all - Gurkeerat Singh, Pawan Negi, Akshdeep Nath and Prayas Barman are all capable all-rounders and in case RCB play only one among their overseas all-rounders, it might just be an opportunity for some of the Indian guys to make the stage their own.
Conclusion
Royal Challengers Bangalore look a really good side, having ticked more boxes than otherwise. However, a lack of clarity regarding their opening combination and finalizing on their overseas four depending upon the wicket, venue and the opposition might just be a little tricky for them.
The next line is an oft-repeated one for them: This year the team might just break the shackles and go all the way. But for the sheer passion of RCB fans, hearts tend to sing 'Ee saala Cup Namade'.
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