Drop Mohammed Siraj? Here's How RCB Can Win Their IPL 2024 Match vs LSG

RCB have lost two out of three IPL 2024 games [AP]RCB have lost two out of three IPL 2024 games [AP]

On Tuesday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will collide with Lucknow Super Giants in match 15 of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. Regarding RCB, the Faf du Plessis-led outfit has had a roller-coaster ride in the competition, occupying ninth place in the points table with a single win in three outings. 

After starting their IPL 2024 campaign with a six-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener, the Red Brigade secured a clinical four-wicket win in their first home game against Punjab Kings. 

However, it didn't take a long time for them to lose their winning momentum, as Kolkata Knight Riders crushed them by seven wickets in their subsequent face-off. 

So, as RCB brace themselves for an exciting clash, let's analyse and find out what has gone wrong for them and how they can defeat the Super Giants. 


Struggling Siraj resulting in RCB's poor PP bowling

Unlike the previous seasons, ace RCB speedster Mohammed Siraj has struggled to provide his team with timely breakthroughs in the powerplay. Statistically, Siraj has conceded 71 runs in six overs at a horrible economy of 11.83. 

His underwhelming performance has led to RCB's miseries with the ball in the powerplay, as evidenced by the stats below. 

RCB in IPL 2024
in Powerplay
Runs conceded187
Wickets taken
2
Average/SR93.5/54
Economy10.38

So, if they want to beat LSG, they must sort out their new ball bowling. For this, they might bring a powerplay specialist like Reece Topley into the team and swap him with Alzarri Joseph, who has been ineffective with the ball. 


Du Plessis and Maxwell must step up

Glenn Maxwell is battling with poor form [AP]Glenn Maxwell is battling with poor form [AP]

While Virat Kohli has emerged as RCB's Mr. Consistent, skipper Faf du Plessis and swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell's consistent failures have let them down in the competition. 

Skipper Du Plessis has failed to play the aggressor's role in the powerplay, while Maxwell has managed only 31 runs in three innings. 

With RCB's two batting pillars getting out cheaply, Virat Kohli has rightly prioritised innings-building, as RCB's scoring rate has taken a hit in the middle overs. Statistically, they have scored only 201 runs in the middle overs so far at a modest run rate of 7.44. 

So, in order to solve their middle overs woes, RCB need Du Plessis and Maxwell to step up, as it's better late than never. 


Spin bowlers must strike in middle overs

Like their pacers, the RCB spinners have found it tough to get going in the middle overs. Despite being given a consistent run, Mayank Dagar has neither scalped crucial wickets nor controlled the flow of runs. 

The failure of their lead spinner has taken a toll on RCB's bowling. Their spin unit has conceded 123 runs, picking only four wickets at an abysmal economy of 8.88. 

So, if the RCB management persists with him, Dagar would like to stand up to his potential. Also, the hosts would like Maxwell to play the second fiddle to the left-arm spinner, as he can be handy with his right-arm off-spin against LSG's  LHB-heavy batting unit.