RCB's IPL Woes: Star Power Fades, Bowling Falters

The Bengaluru Royal Challengers have been like that glitzy film that bombs at the box office. As of now in this IPL, RCB has been nothing short of a horror show, having only one victory in six games.

The IPL comes and goes every year, yet for some reason, RCB misses the bus. This time, the team's weakness has been their bowling attack. Is it just their bowling, though? Or is the decay deep within?

According to what RCB's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, stated on Sunday, the team—which boasts the biggest player in the contemporary era, Virat Kohli—has failed as a whole.

On the eve of RCB's home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bobat expressed his dissatisfaction with certain "high-profile players" not living up to expectations.

We haven't played the way we wanted to play, and that is something we cannot deny. Not all of our well-known players have given their best performances. In the end, Bobat stated, the players would be hoping to perform—possibly even better than they have.

Although Bobat did not give names, it is simple to identify at least two well-known players who have fallen short of their high expectations. Both are Australian players that are all-arounders. For the RCB this season, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green have been dreadful.

Despite having a solid track record both at bat and with the ball, Green has unable to establish himself in the IPL 2024. He manages just 68 runs at a pitiful average of 17 in five games. After delivering about 11 overs, he only has two wickets to show for his efforts with the ball, and his economy rate is higher than 9.

Maxwell has performed much worse than he did during the ODI World Cup last year, when he batted virtually like a superman. After six games, Maxwell has an abysmal 5.33 batting average. With the ball, he has performed marginally better, taking four wickets thus far with his occasional spin.

The truth is that none of the RCB bowlers have the creativity or the willingness to modify their game plans in response to shifting circumstances and match conditions. Mohammed Siraj, who has averaged over 10 runs per over and only four wickets in his account, has been the biggest letdown.

Director Bobat made hints about roster modifications for the game on Monday. "We've already examined a few distinct staff adjustments. We'll keep considering whether making any selection adjustments can improve the team," he stated.

Does RCB, however, have the means? The previous day, Captain Faf du Plessis claimed that they "don't have as many weapons" when it comes to the ball. For RCB, it's a tall order.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.