RCB’s squad is not the best in IPL 2019, but is it so bad that they are struggling to even open their account?
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are at the bottom of the points table, after losing their first four matches in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. The stylish franchise, led by the one and only Virat Kohli, has looked completely out of sorts and there is widespread disappointment among their fans as far as playoffs chances are concerned.
RCB’s squad is not the best in the tournament, but is it so bad that they are struggling to even open their account?
Let’s have a look at the four changes that RCB can make to turn things around.
RCB captain and the best batsman in the world, Kohli should bat at No 3 and resist the temptation of opening the innings. Kohli’s biggest strength is his ability to read the game and bat according to the situation, and that is what RCB need at the moment. His wicket at the top of the order creates a lot of pressure on the batting unit and puts the opposition in front.
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To avoid such a scenario, Kohli should bat at one-down and hold one end up with his controlled hitting. With his class, skill and temperament, the RCB captain can anchor the innings much-better from the No 3 spot. As a batsman, Kohli has all the skills it takes to open the innings, but it's more about the team's cause now, given that it has lost the first four matches.
Parthiv Patel in action for RCB. Getty Images
Parthiv and Moeen should open the innings for RCB as both these left-handed batsmen are gutsy stroke-makers and they can play unorthodox shots to make use of the fielding restrictions in the first few overs. Moeen has the experience of opening the innings and he can play quick cameos. In the T20 format, Moeen isn't that effective in the lower middle-order and his skills are getting wasted there.
De Villiers has retired from international cricket but there is still a lot of cricket left in him. After the first four matches, de Villiers has just 93 runs to his name. However, it is noteworthy that his strike rate is still above 150.
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The RCB think tank should use him like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are using Andre Russell. The former South African skipper should bat at No 5 and play the role of a finisher.
RCB's AB de Villiers plays a shot against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. Twitter/@RCBTweets
AB’s presence at No 5 will add more depth to RCB’s batting and allow Marcus Stoinis to bat at No 4. Stoinis is a very good T20 all-rounder who, on his day, can change the course of the game in a space of a few overs.
Hetmyer is a good young cricketer and was one of the biggest talking points of this year’s IPL auction. However, the young Windies batsman has scored just 15 runs in the first four matches and looked completely out of form.
RCB should replace Hetmyer with Nathan Coulter-Nile in their playing eleven in the next match. Coulter-Nile is a very experienced T20 bowler and can be very effective, especially in the death overs. He has a very good record in the IPL and his familiarity with Indian conditions will add a lot more experience, class and aggression to RCB’s bowling department. The tall Australian speedster also possesses the ability to play big strokes and can contribute crucial runs down the order.
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