IPL 2017: Fall Of RCB – From Being One Of The Favorites To Becoming The First Team On The Verge Of Being Knocked Out!

Apr 5, 2019 at 12:29 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
IPL 2017: Fall Of RCB – From Being One Of The Favorites To Becoming The First Team On The Verge Of Being Knocked Out!

From posting 263 on the board in 20 overs to getting bowled out for 49, Royal Challenger’s Bangalore is accountable for both the highest and the lowest total created in the history of Indian Premier League. Runners up of 2016 season were been considered as one of the top contenders for the current edition of IPL.

With the likes of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers who are capable of giving a nightmare to any opposition and any bowling attack, there was a huge amount of expectations set by the cricketing fraternity from the RCB batting line.

However, half way down the mark, the story has been pretty abominable for the red army. With 2 wins and a draw in their 9 matches so far, chances to qualify for the playoffs looks pretty slim.
Here we look at the reasons which have led to the failure of RCB in IPL 2017:

Unable to get the Ideal Combination: Having played more than half of their assigned league matches Royal Challenger’s Bangalore are yet to get their ideal combination in terms of the playing XI. This has been a major concern for the RCB team management and the captain as well. In terms of the opening pair, RCB has tried out as many as 5 openers along with Virat Kohli. The other four are Shane Watson, Chris Gayle, Vishnu Vinod, Mandeep Singh.

Below is the total runs scored by each of them:
 Virat Kohli: 164 runs in 5 matches
 Shane Watson: 61 runs in 5 matches
 Chris Gayle: 152 runs in 6 matches
 Mandeep Singh: 73 runs in 9 matches
 Vishnu Vinod: 2 runs in 1 match
This clearly highlights the fact that the top order has not been consistent with the bat as far as scoring runs is concerned, which in turn is creating additional burden on the middle order.

The bowlers have done a comparatively better job as compared to their batting counterparts. However, the fact is, barring Yuzvendra Chahal none of them have managed to play all the matches. Rapid changes in the bowling line-up show that the team management does not have enough faith on their bowling line-up, which also creates a negative impact and hampers their confidence.

Injury prone season: One cannot ignore the fact that few teams have suffered as big a blow as far as injury is concerned. RCB have been affected by this decrepitude.

Missing the services of KL Rahul for the whole season has not been easy. Considering the fact that the man from Karnataka has been in good touch lately. In the previous edition of IPL, he has managed to score 397 runs in 16 matches with an average of 44.11.

RCB camp has also missed the services of Virat Kohli in a couple of the initial matches. Kohli’s absence initially, who is considered the backbone of the team, has certainly impacted the balance and harmony, which the team has failed to regain till now.

Unavailability of Sarfaraz Khan, due to a leg injury has also been one of the major setbacks for the Bangalore camp. Taking into account the fact that the 19-year-old can change the course of the match with his power hitting, especially in the death overs.

• Lack of impactful all-rounders: All-rounders always add an extra edge to the team. RCB had considered three all-rounders for this year’s IPL. However, none of them have been able to make an impact so far.

Shane Watson, who is considered one of the top all-rounders as far as international reputation goes, has managed to bag only 61 runs in the 5 encounters he has played so far. Barring, the penultimate over which he bowled to Amit Mishra in their clash against Delhi his bowling attributes have been nothing worth mentioning. He has managed to pick only 2 wickets in the current edition of the IPL so far at an economy 10.53.

Pawan Negi who was one of the new purchases for RCB for this season did try his best in the last encounter against Gujarat Lions after the collapse of the middle order. However, he was not able to change the fate of the match. He has managed to get only 67 runs under his belt in the 7 matches he has played so far. Except, the last over which he bowled in RCB’s clash against Daredevils in Chinnaswamy his bowling too has not been much impressive, managing to pick up only 7 wickets.

Stuart Binny too has failed to impress both with the bat and ball, managing to pick up only 3 wickets so far in the 7 matches he has played. He also had a poor run with the bat so far as well scoring just 77 runs at an average of 19.25.

Chinnaswamy Pitch: Considered as a batting paradise, M. Chinnaswamy has done justice to the saying that “No total is safe in modern day’s cricket”. RCB, who have star-studded batting line-up, quite justifiably prepared such wickets in the past.

However, the current edition of IPL has witnessed a different story altogether. It is not the same pitch it used to be previously. Although, it has offered a breathing space to the bowlers especially for the spinners who were previously smacked all over the park. But on the contrary, it has been a roller coaster ride for the batsmen. Things have gone awry for the Red army so far with the likes of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli failing to get off to fliers.

It has adversely affected the big hitting characteristics due to change in the nature of the wicket. The batsmen, especially the top order has looked out of sorts and failed to get in terms with the wicket leading to the downfall of the team.

Big names unable to deliver: With the presence of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers in the squad, the run feast was expected in most of the matches.

However, the scenario has been very unlike so far. Virat Kohli has only managed to score two half-centuries so far, 62 and 64 against Mumbai Indians and Gujarat lions respectively. With the skipper returning there were huge expectations from his side. However, runs have dried up of Kohli’s willow recently as he has managed to score only 164 runs in 5 matches with a couple of half-centuries under his name.

Christopher Henry Gayle, the universal boss, has been nowhere close to the form he used to be. Barring his 77 of 38 against Gujarat Lions, Gayle has done nothing considerable worth mentioning. Same is applicable for Mr.360, AB De Villiers- the man who can turn the match upside down single-handedly. Coming in from a back injury, de Villiers had previously raised the bar and set high expectations not only for himself but also for the fans.

However, his run in the IPL has been pretty disappointing so far. He has only managed to score 150 runs in the 5 matches so far at a strike rate of 131.57. Clearly not up to his standards.

Related Article
Sarfaraz Khan To Debut In Rajkot, India To Have A New-Look Middle-Order For 3rd Test
Sarfaraz Khan To Debut In Rajkot, India To Have A New-Look Middle-Order For 3rd Test

Feb 13, 2024, 9:23 AM


Musheer Khan Might Go Ahead Of His Elder Brother Sarfaraz Khan: Aakash Chopra
Musheer Khan Might Go Ahead Of His Elder Brother Sarfaraz Khan: Aakash Chopra

Feb 12, 2024, 11:19 AM


IND vs ENG: His Record In First-Class Cricket Is Quite Outstanding – AB de Villiers Excited To See Sarfaraz Khan In Indian Colours
IND vs ENG: His Record In First-Class Cricket Is Quite Outstanding – AB de Villiers Excited To See Sarfaraz Khan In Indian Colours

Feb 1, 2024, 2:14 PM


Heard It From A Few People That..: Deep Dasgupta Reveals Why Sarfaraz Khan Didn’t Get Call-up Earlier
Heard It From A Few People That..: Deep Dasgupta Reveals Why Sarfaraz Khan Didn’t Get Call-up Earlier

Feb 1, 2024, 1:03 PM


Not Virat Kohli As Sarfaraz Khan Reveals His Favourite Cricketer
Not Virat Kohli As Sarfaraz Khan Reveals His Favourite Cricketer

Jan 31, 2024, 2:42 PM


Musheer Khan Reveals Chat With Elder Brother Sarfaraz Khan After Latter Earns Maiden India Call-up
Musheer Khan Reveals Chat With Elder Brother Sarfaraz Khan After Latter Earns Maiden India Call-up

Jan 31, 2024, 10:56 AM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner