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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are arguably one of the stronger sides heading into IPL 2024. The Faf du Plessis-led side will take on CSK in Chennai on March 22 in the tournament’s opener. So far, since the inaugural edition in 2008, RCB have been trophyless. Despite putting up stellar performances over the years, the side has never managed to lay hands on the IPL trophy.
The team comprises of T20 stalwarts including Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell who form an excellent batting unit. The team even managed to add firepower to their pace department by picking up Lockie Ferguson and Alzarri Joseph in IPL 2024 auction. One unit which seams to be missing for RCB is a seasoned spin department.
RCB’s performance over the years in IPL
RCB have appeared in three IPL finals so far, facing defeat on all three occasions. In IPL 2008, the side led by Rahul Dravid finished on the penultimate spot (7th) on the points table. In a remarkable comeback, the side were the runners-up in 2009, losing the finals. This was followed by 3rd place finish in 2010 and once again runners-up in 2011.
RCB failed to qualify for the playoffs for three years (2012-2014), hovering at the bottom half of the points table. Despite Virat Kohli‘s record breaking 973 runs in the IPL 2016 edition, the side ended up as the runners-up yet again. Since then, RCB have never managed to make it to the playoffs except for in IPL 2021.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru SWOT analysis
Strengths
Batting is no doubt the strongest unit for RCB. With skipper du Plessis and Virat Kohli as the openers, the side couldn’t ask for a better pair or start. Rajat Patidar will hope to replicate his domestic cricket heroics and will look to put behind the IND vs ENG series where he made a string of low scores.
Cameron Green, RCB’s latest addition, will be a massive boost for the side’s middle order. Along with fellow Australian Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik, Green forms a power-packed middle order which is a force to be reckoned with.
Talking about RCB’s bowling department, the side seems to have covered all grounds possible in terms of pace. Mohammed Siraj, who has been in stellar form over the year, will lead the pace battery for the side. Bengal pacer Akash Deep will look to make an impression playing for RCB and continue his fine form from the domestic circuit.
Weakness
If there’s one thing that RCB lacks currently, it is a seasoned spinner. The side has never managed to rope in a specialist spinner since the departure of Yuzvendra Chahal, who was arguably their best bowler – especially at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
Karn Sharma is one spin option for RCB. However, over the past years, the side has used him inconsistently. The addition of Recee Topley, Alzarri Joseph, Tom Curran and Yash Dayal will boost RCB’s pace department but it remains to be seen what impact will be created. One thing that is for sure is that RCB’s bowling unit will be staring at death if they play in their home ground, considering the short boundaries at Chinnaswamy stadium.
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Key players
Virat Kohli, undoubtedly, will be a key player to watch out for. The former RCB skipper will make his comeback in IPL 2024 after being on the sidelines since January 2024. With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, Kohli will aim to get back to form and let his bat do the talking in this year’s IPL.
Cameron Green is another player to watch out for along with ‘Big Show’ Glenn Maxwell. Mohammad Siraj will be a key player for the side in terms of bowling.
RCB schedule for IPL 2024
- 1. CSK vs RCB – 22nd March – 8 PM
- 2. RCB vs PBKS – 25th March – 7:30 PM
- 3. RCB vs KKR – 29th March – 7:30 PM
- 4. RCB vs LSG – 2nd April – 7:30 PM
- 5. RR vs RCB – 6th April – 7:30 PM
RCB Squad 2024
Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan.
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