IPL 2021: Can Royal Challengers Bangalore break the title jinx this season?

Virat Kohli will be eager to give a strong response to critics who question his inability to lead RCB on to an IPL triumph.

RCB players in a file photo. (Image credit: Twitter)
By Arnab Mukherji | Apr 2, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is one of the most popular franchises in the history of the IPL. The Bangalore-based side enjoys the presence of two of the most entertaining batsmen ever: Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. This of course ensures high scoring games more often than not, with a flurry of sixes and boundaries. However, despite boasting of such exciting players, RCB has failed to win the IPL even once which is certainly shocking, to say the least.

However, IPL 2021 presents an opportunity to finally break this jinx, considering the presence of talents like Kyle Jamieson. Without much ado, here’s a detailed look at how RCB stand going into the upcoming season:

Strengths

1) Brothers in arms: Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are well capable of winning games singlehandedly. The duo have stitched numerous game-changing partnerships in the past, and will be expected to deliver more of the same in the upcoming season.

2) Maxwell Mania: Glenn Maxwell is one of the best all-rounders in the shortest format of the game. The Australian can smash the ball to all corners of the ground, with an ability to bowl some economical overs as and when required. He is also a safe fielder, having pulled off some fine catches in his career so far. The 32-year-old’s presence will certainly send a chill down the spine of the opposition, considering the damage he is capable of.

3) Strong depth in batting: RCB enjoy strong depth in the batting department at least on paper. Virat Kohli is expected to open the innings alongside Devdutt Padikkal. They will be followed by AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and Dan Christian who are game-changers on their day.

Weaknesses

1) Inexperienced pace battery: RCB have invested in the addition of talents like Kyle Jamieson and Danial Sams, which is certainly an interesting move. Jamieson was signed for a massive sum, which indicates his importance from the franchise’s viewpoint. However, the New Zealand pacer doesn’t enjoy any experience of bowling in Indian conditions, with Sams similarly lacking in this regard. That is an area of concern. Dan Christian might similarly struggle, having last played an IPL match back in 2018. Mohammed Siraj will have to get the job done singlehandedly, considering the poor recent form of Navdeep Saini.

2) Reliance on Yuzvendra Chahal: RCB are too reliant on Yuzvendra Chahal for breakthroughs, with Washington Sundar more of a defensive bowler. Chahal has been expensive in recent times, which might leave RCB in a spot of bother. The addition of Harbhajan Singh would have been a wise move.

Opportunity

Virat Kohli will be eager to give a strong response to critics who question his inability to lead RCB on to an IPL triumph. A win in IPL 2021 will lend further credibility to Kohli’s reputation in the role of a captain. This will certainly provide significant relief to the Team India skipper.

Threat

RCB might well be dependent yet again on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers if Glenn Maxwell fails to perform. Kyle Jamieson will be playing his first edition of the IPL in alien Indian conditions. This might result in him struggling. The absence of proven domestic pacers barring Mohammed Siraj could well prove to be a cause of concern. The bowling department has anyway been a perennial issue for RCB. Lack of proper depth in the bowling department might come back to haunt them.

Wildcard to watch out for

Mohammed Azharuddeen will be the uncapped player to watch out for, considering his excellent performances recently. He could well lend some further firepower to the Indian batting in the coming years.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE SQUAD

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Finn Allen (wk), AB de Villiers (wk), Pavan Deshpande, Washington Sundar, Daniel Sams, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Kane Richardson, Harshal Patel, Glenn Maxwell, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Kyle Jamieson, Daniel Christian, Suyash Prabhudessai, K.S. Bharat





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