Royal Challengers Bangalore is the third team in the glorious Indian Premier League that is still in the hunt for its maiden title. While Virat Kohli has had success with Team India as the skipper, it's about time he proves his mettle as the one to lead RCB to glory. But will it indeed happen this season?
The moment one hears about the Indian Premier League, it is the top teams that come to one's mind. And, one of those teams happens to be Royal Challengers Bangalore. Although it is a powerhouse in the tournament, it has never really dominated and is yet in the hunt for its maiden IPL title.
Every season, the Virat Kohli-led side never fails to impress the fans with its mind-bowling performances. However, it fails to get past the line for qualifying for playoffs, even reaching the final and winning the title. However, fans are optimistic that it would all change in the following season, including the upcoming one. In the same light, we present RCB's team preview for 2021.
Squad composition
As usual, RCB has once again focussed on its batting prowess over bowling. Considering the squad, it has mainly 15 batsmen and 13 bowlers. However, the one notable change in the batting department is that it has considerably reduced its reliance on star power and has roped in talented uncapped youngsters. Meanwhile, it is its bowling that bolsters capped talents.
Strengths and weaknesses
Talking about the team strengths, it is all equally balanced, not in terms of quantity but talents. RCB has played smart here by bolstering its batting department in numbers and keeping it evenly balanced in terms of skills, which is likely to play a crucial role. The side has traditionally focused on scoring big runs and defending them successfully.
As for the bowling, it is strong again. While it might lack enough options as its batting, the influx of capped talents makes it well-equipped with firepower, considering Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj and many more. Also, with a pace department, it would be its bowling attack to watch out for.
Although the side does not really have any weakness, its batting could be slightly exposed if Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell fail to get going.
Players to watch out
Kohli: The skipper and world's best batsman is a no-brainer on this list. While he has been highly inconsistent at scoring regular runs since the last IPL, he seems to have got his rhythm back. RCB would be heavily relying on him in the batting department.
De Villiers: Kohli's long-standing opening partner never fails to impress in the IPL. Known for his prolific and clean hitting, besides giving the team an explosive start, he will shoulder equal responsibility as Kohli in the batting department.
Maxwell: The all-rounder was a significant flop last season for Punjab Kings, failing to hit even a single six in 11 innings. Although he did make an impact with his spin-bowling, it alone would not be enough. While he did bounce back to form with Australia, he would certainly have all eyes upon him this season, as RCB would desperately want him to fire in all cylinders across departments.
Chahal: The Indian leg-spinner is current the nation's best in the format. While he was RCB's star performer last season, he would be looking to deliver again this season, not just for RCB, to gain meaningful momentum ahead of India's campaign in the 2021 ICC World T20.
Milestones in the reckoning
- Kohli eyes 6,000 IPL runs mark, 200 IPL games, five more wins to become the fourth skipper with 60-plus IPL wins and the fifth player with 80-plus IPL catches.
- De Villiers looks to become second from RCB to surpass 4,500 runs, 150 IPL games and 350 fours.
- RCB can become the first IPL side to score 200-plus runs in an innings for the 20th time.
IPL 2021 prediction
The squad is evenly balanced. However, despite having enough batting option, the department lacks good star power. It would lead to extra responsibility on Kohli, de Villiers and Maxwell. However, it is indeed one of the tournament's lethal ones with star-studded bowling, which could be its USP to success this season. Nevertheless, consistency and handling pressure would be the key, which has been its drawback every season.
Newable prediction: Third or fourth
RCB squad for IPL 2021
Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Suyash Prabhudessai and Devdutt Padikkal.
All-rounders: Dan Christian, Glenn Maxwell, Pavan Deshpande, Daniel Sams, Shahbaz Ahmed and Washington Sundar.
Wicketkeepers: AB de Villiers, KS Bharat, Mohammed Azharuddeen and Finn Allen.
Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa.
Pacers: Harshal Patel, Kane Richardson, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj and Kyle Jamieson.
