On Friday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening home game of the season.
For the Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, it was a startling day. With yet another convincing victory on Friday, Kolkata Knight Riders maintained their dominant display against RCB. With 3.1 overs remaining, KKR won by 7 wickets, propelling them into second place in the standings.
When facing a rampaging KKR opening duo, none of the RCB bowlers could rise to the occasion with the ball. With a 22-ball 47 runs against RCB, Sunil Narine resumed his hitting romance, amassing 85 runs in the first six overs. Phil Salt, who scored 30 runs in 20 balls, did not waste any time either. Venkatesh Iyer was the one who stole the show with a skillfully constructed fifty.
With the exception of Virat Kohli, none of the RCB batsmen performed well. Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, two Australians, tried their hardest to encourage the former RCB captain. On such a fine batting surface, however, the score of 182 looked insufficient.
Before their next match against LSG, Royal Challengers Bengaluru must make the following three adjustments:
3. Rajat Patidar needs to be replaced in the middle order by RCB.
Rajat Patidar is under pressure after scoring just 21 runs at an average of 7 from 3 games, with a best of 18 against PBKS. The 30-year-old’s confidence is at an all-time low as a result of his form abandoning him. So far in IPL 2024, Rajat Patidar hasn’t been able to contribute significantly.
This should present an opportunity for the RCB team management to include Suyash Prabhudesai or Mahipal Lomror in the starting lineup when they play LSG. Among the prospects, Mahipal Lomror stands out because he is a capable fielder who can also contribute with the ball. The youthful player was crucial to RCB’s victory over PBKS in a close run chase.
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2. Instead of using Yash Dayal for the draft, use Akash Deep.
The management of the RCB squad must acknowledge that the Yash Dayal experiment is failing. In just three games, the left-arm seamer has already given up 97 runs and claimed just three wickets. Sunil Narine targeted Yash Dayal on Friday, taking 21 runs in the last over prior to the powerplay.
Awaiting his opportunity with bated breath, Akash Deep is waiting in the reserves. In the upcoming match against LSG, the 27-year-old has to be given an opportunity for the RCB team. After making his Test debut, Akash Deep bowled so well that everyone was in awe. Akash Deep has the potential to be a very valuable acquisition because of his pace and variety.
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1. Two workable alternatives to Alzarri Joseph, who isn’t working well
Alzarri Joseph has bowled 115 runs conceded, 1 wicket taken, and 3 matches played. In the two overs that he bowled against KKR on Friday, the West Indian spinner conceded 34 runs. It seems inconceivable that he will be named in the RCB starting lineup for the upcoming match against LSG.
When RCB plays LSG next, will Lockie Ferguson and Jacks get a chance? Will Jacks, an English sensation, is not just a fantastic hitter but also a very skilled ball handler. There is no need to introduce Lockie Ferguson to IPL cricketers. With his pace, the Kiwi bowler can disturb the top players, as he has taken 37 wickets in 38 games.
