IPL 2018: Four reasons why RCB will sneak into the playoffs
At the business end of IPL, only two teams look settled and have made it to the playoffs. One is SRH which has the best bowling line-up while the other is CSK which has the best batting line-up in the IPL. Other five teams are in the race to qualify for the remaining two spots.
One of the contenders to make it to the playoffs are Royal Challengers Bangalore. They had a disastrous start to the IPL due to which they were languishing at the bottom of the table. One of the reasons for RCB's poor performance was their bowling. After spending heavily on the bowling unit during the auctions it still came short. The likes of Chris Woakes, Kulwant Khejroliya, and Washington Sundar have failed to impress.
After chopping and changing the team to get the team combination right, the Red Army has finally found two stars in Collin De Grandhomme and Tim Southee who have lent teeth to their sick bowling unit. Currently, at the 5th position on the table with 6 points, they still have a chance to make it to the playoffs.
Here are the four reasons why the Red Army can sneak into the playoffs:
#4 Death bowling is sorted
In the match against CSK, RCB had set a target of 206. Chennai was struggling at 74 for 4 in 9 overs and, it looked like RCB would comfortably win. Shockingly, they lost the match as Dhoni hit Corey Anderson for 17 runs off the final over. Such shoddy bowling display was disheartening to watch, and the team management quickly made changes for their next matches.
The results of the change bore fruit when RCB played Mumbai at their home ground. Defending a par score of 167, the bowling unit stood up and helped the home team win by 14 runs. The entry of Tim Southee into the side as a specialist death bowler has yielded dividends as the New Zealander has stopped the run flow and taken wickets at the end.
With the biggest headache of death bowling sorted, RCB's bowling unit looks much better and, it will help them during their remaining matches.