IPL 2018: 4 changes that can solve RCB's combination woes
Another season, a new-look team for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but the similar old woes. Yes, that has been the story of the Virat Kohli-led RCB this season. Kohli expressed his satisfaction with the team’s bowling picks at the auctions earlier this year and went on to declare that his bowling unit will take charge this season. While the good old war horses, Kohli and AB de Villiers have performed exceptionally well with the bat, helped by some occasional support from Quinton de Kock and Mandeep Singh, their bowling unit still remains their Achilles’ heel.
Their batsmen have scored runs while their bowlers have leaked them in plenty, which is evident by the fact that Yuzvendra Chahal has the best economy of 8.05 runs per over among the RCB bowlers. He, along with Umesh Yadav (1 for 23), set the game up for his team against Chennai Super Kings, but they could not get support from other bowlers who conceded 100 runs in the last seven overs as Chennai completed the biggest chase ever at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.
RCB are still struggling with some combination conundrums that are affecting the balance of their team. Here, we have come up with four possible changes that can solve the balance woes of Kohli’s team.
#1 Parthiv Patel to open with Virat
RCB started their season with Brendon McCullum and Quinton de Kock as their openers but some poor outings for McCullum led to his ouster from the team. Kohli moved up the order to partner de Kock at the top. But the move still left RCB thin on good pace bowling options at the death.
After his good knock (53 runs off 37 balls) in the last match against Chennai, this can be a little harsh on the South African but considering the balance of the team, Parthiv Patel can get a go-ahead over de Kock. Parthiv can bat aggressively at the top while his inclusion gives RCB a chance to play one more good pace bowling option.