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regular-article-logo Thursday, 02 May 2024

Spotlight on non-performing stars: After five losses from six matches, RCB in do-or-die state

Year after year, the IPL comes and goes but RCB somehow miss the bus. This time, it's their bowling attack which has been pulling the team down. But is it only about their bowling? Or the rot lies deep within?

Our Bureau Calcutta Published 15.04.24, 10:59 AM
RCB skipper Faf Du Plessis sweats it out at the nets ahead of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

RCB skipper Faf Du Plessis sweats it out at the nets ahead of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Picture courtesy: RCB

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been like that star-studded movie that falls face-first at the box office. With just a single win to show from six games, RCB have been no less than a horror show so far in this IPL.

Year after year, the IPL comes and goes but RCB somehow miss the bus. This time, it's their bowling attack which has been pulling the team down. But is it only about their bowling? Or the rot lies deep within?

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From what RCB's director of cricket Mo Bobat said on Sunday, one understands that the team, which has the biggest superstar (Virat Kohli) of the modern-day game on its roster, has failed collectively.

Speaking on the eve of RCB's home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bobat did not mince words when he said that some of their "high-profile players" haven't performed according to expectations.

"There's no hiding away from the fact that we haven't played the way we want to play. Some of our high-profile players haven’t performed in the way they want to. Ultimately, the players would be expecting to go out and deliver probably better than they have done,” Bobat said.

Bobat did not take names, but it's easy to name at least two high-profile players who have not performed as per their lofty standards. Both are all-rounders and both come from Australia. Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell have been pathetic for RCB this season.

Green, who comes with a reputation of being a steady performer with the bat and the ball, has failed to find feet in IPL 2024. In five matches, he aggregates only 68 runs at a poor average of 17. With the ball, he has only two wickets to show after bowling 11-odd overs and his economy rate is also above 9.

Maxwell, who seemed almost like a superhero with the bat during last year's ODI World Cup, has done even worse. Maxwell averages an embarrassing 5.33 with the bat after playing six games. He has done slightly better with the ball, having picked up four wickets so far with his part-time spin.

Fact is, all the RCB bowlers have lacked imagination and the will to adapt and change game plans as per the conditions and match situations. The biggest disappointment has been Mohammed Siraj, who has gone over 10 runs an over and has only four wickets in his bag.

Director Bobat hinted at changes in the team for Monday's game. “We've already looked at a couple of different personnel changes. We'll continue to think about whether any selection changes can enhance the team,” he said.

But do RCB have the resources? Captain Faf du Plessis the other day said that they "don't have as many weapons" with the ball. It's a tall order that RCB face.

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