Royal Challengers Bangalore - IPL 2023 Squad Analysis

image-lfmgl7v3Can RCB win the IPL title this season? [iplt20.com]

The wait is finally over and the 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is right upon us. 10 teams will fight it out for the coveted prize, but only one team will walk out victorious after two months of gruelling matches.

For More Analytical Reads from OneCricket, Click Here.

One team, which has been a centre of focus for the last 15 years has been the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). They have had some of the best players in their ranks, but are eluded of that IPL trophy.

Just like any other year, the team management have yet again assembled a balanced squad on paper, but can they lift the IPL prize this year?



Let us have a Squad analysis of the Red Army.

RCB 2023 squad

Batters: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Fin Allen, Suyash Prabudessai.


All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Michael Bracewell, Manoj Bhandage,  R Sonu Yadav.


Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, David Willey, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh.

Strength

  • Top-class batting: This has always been the case for RCB. Since the inception of the league, the team from Bengaluru have boasted a star-studded batting lineup, comprising of some of the world's biggest players. This year is no different. With an in-form Virat Kohli, faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidara, and finisher Dinesh Karthik in the ranks, RCB have a plethora of talent in that department to count upon.
  • Great all-rounders: RCB have plenty of players in the all-rounder's section. There is Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, the newbie Michael Bracewell and if needed, Wanindu Hasaranga. Faf du Plessis has a good headache to have when it comes to quality all-rounders.



Weakness

  • Lack of quality Indian spinner: The decision to remove Yuzvendra Chahal still baffles the RCB fans. Yes, they have Wanindu Hasaranga, but if he is out of form, or is injured, the squad lacks a world-class Indian spinners to fulfil his boots.
  • No big match player: Yes, the squad has big names in the form of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, but as of late, they have failed to delivery under pressure. Barring faf du Plessis, the team crumbles when tricky situation arrives. They need to sort this issue ahead of the upcoming season.

Opportunity

  • Big star in the making: Bought for INR 60 lakhs, young gun Avinash Singh has a great chance to stamp his authority in the RCB lineup. Someone who can click 145 km/h on a regular basis, there is a great chance that RCB banks on the youngster to deliver the goods.
  • To finally win the IPL: It has been 15 years and the franchise still hasn't won the coveted prize. Could this be the year that when Faf du Plessis side finally clinch the IPL trophy?

Threat

  • The pressure of the whole world: RCB is arguably the most popular franchise in IPL. However, they are eluded of the IPL trophy. That could play in their minds if the team reaches the playoffs. It has been a barrier for them, and their biggest challenge would be to cross that barrier and proven their doubters wrong. Can they do it?

image-lfqg2vxnSWOT Analysis of RCB (Source: OneCricket)


RCB rating card

Top-order: 9/10
Upper middle order: 8.5/10
Lower middle over: 8/10
Pace bowling: 8/10
Spin bowling: 7/10

Overall Rating: 8.1/10

Prediction

With a balanced squad, and a much better clarity of thoughts, RCB should reach the playoffs, but this is where the real game begins. They have often choked in the knockout stages, and are likely to falter once again. RCB to at-least reach Eliminator.