RCB paying for too many changes
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BANGALORE: Brendon Mccullum holds a special place in the history of IPL. His unbeaten 158 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first-ever match of the league, back in April 2008, gave the IPL a flying start.
Ten seasons later, Mccullum is back at the venue where he once captured the imagination of fans across the world with his blistering batting. However, now he is only on the RCB bench after having failed in three matches.
Ahead of another RCB-KKR tie here on Sunday, Mccullum would be fighting off some memories. His team is languishing at sixth place in the table while KKR are two places above them.
The former New Zealand skipper was picked to add prowess to top-order batting as RCB looked to replace an ageing Chris Gayle, who hadn’t clicked over the last two seasons. As luck would have it, Gayle is back in form in Kings XI Punjab colours even as RCB struggle to get off to flying starts.
Skipper Virat Kohli, who began the season coming down the order has pushed himself back to the top, whereas Quinton de Kock has been just about okay while opening the batting.
Add to that, RCB’S decision to let go off the big-hitting KL Rahul, who too is in KXIP, leaves a lot on the shoulders of AB de Villiers. The South African star has been doing well, scoring quicker than others especially in the period (7-10) which is generally the most slow-scoring in T20 cricket. But it seems he will need to do a lot more as the rest of RCB players haven’t been up to scratch.
RCB also seem to have blundered on not picking all-rounder Shane Watson who didn’t have a great last season.
Watson had been an important cog in RCB’S wheels over the last few seasons, taking 20 wickets in 2016. RCB would be missing him as their bowling is in tatters. Watson, on his part, is doing wonders for Chennai Super Kings this year with both bat and ball. His form with CSK must be giving Kohli second thoughts as the RCB skipper is struggling not just to add bite to his bowling that has lacked depth but also to Total matches
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have some good hitters at the rear. Watson would perform both these jobs with aplomb.
RCB tried Corey Anderson in the last few matches but with disastrous results. In fact, he and paceman Mohammed Siraj let MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings snatch a win from the jaws of defeat.
Perhaps one player who may get a look-in on Sunday is England’s off-spinning allrounder Moeen Ali. That KKR are coming off a couple of losses and that should give RCB some comfort.