Hanging Between High Hopes and Middling Reality — How RCB's Season Might Unfold in IPL 2024

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be looking to break their 16-year jinx and win their maiden IPL trophy [X]

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been one of the better teams in the IPL since 2020. Although they haven’t played in any finals, they have reached the playoffs thrice, playing three eliminators and also a qualifier. They are only one of the four sides with a win-loss ratio of above 1 in the last three seasons of the competition.

IPL 2021-23: Teams Performance [OneCricket]

RCB have done some good work in the recent seasons: their overseas picks like Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood have paid off well. However, the story doesn’t look promising enough for them this season, particularly because of their weak bowling. Here we take a look at how their season might unfold.

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Will RCB’s gamble with Cameron Green pay off?

One of RCB’s major problems last season was their over-reliance on the batting trio of Faf, Kohli and Maxwell. Apart from these three batters, no other RCB batter could manage even 150 runs throughout the tournament. The Red Army dearly missed Rajat Patidar, and Mahipal Lomror & Dinesh Karthik also failed to step up.

IPL 2023: RCB Team Runs share [OneCricket]

RCB have taken a gamble by trading in Cameron Green for a huge sum of 16 crores INR. RCB would expect Green to take some pressure off Kohli, Maxwell and Faf. But, Mo Bobat has stated that Green will bat at No. 5 in the middle order. However, a major share of the right-hander’s success has come at one down. 

Cameron Green's T20 Record by Batting Position [OneCricket]

It might be too much of an analysis because of the Aussie’s short T20 career, and Green is indeed a talented hitter. But, it’s difficult to find success as a middle-order in the IPL without having enough experience in performing this role. However, with Chinnaswamy as a home ground, Green’s job will be easier.

There are a couple of more issues with RCB’s batting. They need a left-handed spin power-hitter, like Mahipal Lomror, to fire in the middle overs. It’s an extremely crucial aspect of T20 batting. Glenn Maxwell can do only so much, and he is also vulnerable against left-arm orthodox spinners.

Another concern could be Faf du Plessis’ poor run in SA T20 2024. In 11 innings, he had just three 30+ scores – all 50s – while registering 6 scores of 10 or less. RCB would hope their captain comes good. But in case he doesn’t, with the tempting option playing of Will Jacks who offers dual skills and has been in good form, there might be some unrest in the RCB camp.

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Toothless spin attack

RCB’s spin attack was a big problem for them in the last season: their spinners were the most expensive. Their spinners conceded runs at an economy of 8.80 RPO in 12 out of 14 games, including 6 games at 10.5 RPO or more. In 7 home matches at Chinnaswamy, their tweakers picked up just 9 wickets at 41.55 runs apiece with 10.78 RPO.

IPL 2023: Spinners performance grouped by bowling teams [OneCricket]

RCB released Wanindu Hasaranga because he wasn’t justifying his high price tag while also occupying an overseas slot. Shahbaz Ahmed, who had a promising start to his IPL career, was traded with Mayank Dagar from SRH. Now, RCB’s spinners will be Karn Sharma, Mayank Dagar, Himanshu Sharma and Swapnil Singh. None of these options are reliable enough, particularly for RCB’s home ground Chinnaswamy.

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Unreliable pace attack

RCB also faced issues in their fast-bowling department. One of the main reasons was the unavailability of Josh Hazlewood. The Australian pacer featured in just 3 matches, and his availability concerns meant he went unsold in the auction. Apart from Mohammed Siraj who was fantastic, three of their pacers played 7 or more games and all had an economy of 9.37 RPO or more.

RCB acquired Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson while retaining Reece Topley as their third overseas pacer. Since Topley is more of a new ball bowler and with Siraj, Akash Deep and Yash Dayal already in their ranks, one of Alzarri and Ferguson will play the role of a middle-overs enforcer. 

Alzarri’s T20 or IPL record is mediocre. While Ferguson hasn’t been great in the past two IPL seasons, he might be preferred because of his recent form. Alzarri has the potential, but a lot will depend on his impressions in the nets. Still, neither is a very reliable option because of the lack of their control, particularly at Chinnaswamy – the bowlers’ graveyard in the slog overs.

RCB would hope Siraj is at his best like the last season because his recent form and pace in Indian colours isn’t very inspiring. With the resources available at their end, RCB must excel in the first 16 overs of their bowling innings, and Siraj along with their overseas pacer will have to play a key role for that to happen.