IPL 2020: Here is why RCB fans can be hopeful of a triumph this year!
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is one of the most high-profile teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in every season, it shows a lot of promise of winning the T20 extravaganza. However, RCB’s run in the IPL is known to all and the team just doesn’t seem to have cracked the IPL code. Though the franchise has managed to reach the finals three times in the past 12 editions of the cash-rich league, in 2010, 2011 and 2016, they are yet to bring the T20 Trophy home.
The team is laced with players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Yuzvendra Chahal, however, in every season they are found lacking in some departments. It is often observed that the team usually loses the battle in the IPL auction rather than the pitch by not picking up the potential players for its squad.
However, this year the ‘Play Bold Army’ might fancy its chances of winning the maiden title as they seem to have covered all the facets of the game. The Virat Kohli-led Bangalore is being considered as one of the favourites to lift the trophy this year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Why favourites?
Batting has never been an issue for the Bangalore outfit with the presence of the golden duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. The addition of the explosive Aussie Batsman Aaron Finch will make it more lethal as now the pressure on the team’s big guns will be reduced greatly. Also, the presence of dynamic Devdutt Paddikal, who is backed by an extraordinary domestic record and Josh Philippe, who is being hailed as the next big thing in the Australian side will help in strengthening the middle-order. The team also has the services of Parthiv Patel who can either open the innings with Finch or play in the middle order as a potential wicketkeeper of the team.
The team also looks equipped with handy Indian all-rounders in the form of Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar along with the England veteran Moeen Ali who might emerge as a match-winner on the gripping tracks of UAE where the ball stops and stays low. Their recent signing of Chris Morris for INR 10 crore can be considered as a wise pick since he can bowl at any given stage and contribute quite well with the bat.
Bowling has always been considered as the Achilles Heel for the Bangalore-based franchise. The dearth of the quality pacers especially the death bowlers has plagued the team for quite some time now. However, the team might have solved this issue this year with the service of ferocious Dale Steyn and potent bowler Navdeep Saini who has been pinpoint with his yorkers. Also, the latest addition of Isuru Udana and South African great Morris has bolstered their bowling attack exceptionally well.
The spin department is also well equipped with the presence of Yuzvendra Chahal and recent signing Australia’s Adam Zampa. Although Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj have not proved to be economical for the team in the past, they have certainly improved and can play a huge part in the team’s campaign for 2020 edition. The big grounds and slow turning pitches of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can also benefit the RCB bowlers as they would no longer be playing their 7 league matches in the smallest ground and the flattest wicket of Chinnaswamy.
All being said, RCB looks like a balanced blend of Indian and overseas players and can change its fortunes given it makes a wise selection of its Playing XI and doesn’t succumb to the pressure this year.
