IPL 2021: Do RCB need a ‘perfect finisher’? Sunil Gavaskar identifies one

Royal Challengers Bangalore have been playing the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008. However, they are yet to win the title to date. They have finished as runners-up on a couple of occasions, while Virat Kohli has been leading the side since 2013.

<p>Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) wait for their maiden title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has to be longer, as they have been knocked out of the playoffs in the ongoing edition. It was against former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator that they suffered a six-wicket defeat.</p>

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) wait for their maiden title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has to be longer, as they have been knocked out of the playoffs in the ongoing edition. It was against former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator that they suffered a six-wicket defeat.

<p style="text-align: justify;">RCB's campaign seemed to be an interesting one, as they registered seven wins in the opening 10 games of the tournament. However, five consecutive loses derailed their campaign once again.</p>

RCB's campaign seemed to be an interesting one, as they registered seven wins in the opening 10 games of the tournament. However, five consecutive loses derailed their campaign once again.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, they would be looking forward to the next season, which would be held in a matter of five months, in April-May. However, the side needs some shuffling in their squad, as former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that a proper finisher is something that they lack, as he also identifies the player who can execute the role properly.</p>

Meanwhile, they would be looking forward to the next season, which would be held in a matter of five months, in April-May. However, the side needs some shuffling in their squad, as former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that a proper finisher is something that they lack, as he also identifies the player who can execute the role properly.

<p style="text-align: justify;">"I think where they need to do a little bit of thinking is to give Shivam Dube a proper role. Dube has gone down and Sundar has gone up and down. If he can be given a role and told to go out there, and thrash the ball, it might help him. He is confused now. If they can get a solid player at No. 5, then it will ease the pressure of de Villiers and Virat," Gavaskar was quoted as saying on <em>Star Sports</em>.</p>

"I think where they need to do a little bit of thinking is to give Shivam Dube a proper role. Dube has gone down and Sundar has gone up and down. If he can be given a role and told to go out there, and thrash the ball, it might help him. He is confused now. If they can get a solid player at No. 5, then it will ease the pressure of de Villiers and Virat," Gavaskar was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

<p>Gavaskar was also not impressed with Kohli, as he feels that the skipper did not meet the high standards. "Looking at the high standards that he sets for himself, maybe, he would say he didn't quite match that and that's one of the reasons why RCB weren't able to go through. Because when he scores those big runs along with AB de Villiers, they invariably have big scores," he reckoned.</p>

Gavaskar was also not impressed with Kohli, as he feels that the skipper did not meet the high standards. "Looking at the high standards that he sets for himself, maybe, he would say he didn't quite match that and that's one of the reasons why RCB weren't able to go through. Because when he scores those big runs along with AB de Villiers, they invariably have big scores," he reckoned.

<p style="text-align: justify;">As for their bowling, Gavaskar feels that it does lack enough firepower, as well as consistency, that could challenge the opposition. "If anything, their bowling has always been their weak point. Even now, in this particular team, they have got an Aaron Finch, who is a fine T20 player, young Devdutt Padikkal, who began well and then Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, then you have really got it made," he concluded.</p>

As for their bowling, Gavaskar feels that it does lack enough firepower, as well as consistency, that could challenge the opposition. "If anything, their bowling has always been their weak point. Even now, in this particular team, they have got an Aaron Finch, who is a fine T20 player, young Devdutt Padikkal, who began well and then Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, then you have really got it made," he concluded.