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The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) find themselves in a precarious position at the halfway mark of the IPL 2024 season. With a dismal record of six losses in a total of seven matches, their playoff aspirations are hanging by a thread. Mathematically, RCB's playoffs qualification is still possible, but it requires a near-impossible scenario. RCB need to win all their remaining matches and rely on favorable results from other teams. This precarious situation is a harsh reality for a franchise looking to end their IPL title drought, which has been a major talking point for years.
Virender Sehwag diagnoses RCB's problems
Former India's explosive batter Virender Sehwag and Manoj Tiwary weighed in on RCB's struggles, identifying several flaws within the team. Sehwag highlighted the lack of Indian support staff as a key concern. He believes the absence of domestic figures in the coaching setup hinders the performance of Indian players. RCB currently boast a high-profile support staff dominated by overseas personnel. Head coach Andy Flower and bowling coach Adam Griffith are both international figures. Sehwag argues that introducing Indian personalities into the support staff would create a better environment for domestic players, allowing them to express themselves more freely.
Can RCB turn things around?
With a daunting task ahead, RCB faces a critical juncture. Addressing the concerns raised by Sehwag and other experts might be a step in the right direction. However, the remaining season will be a true test of the team's character and resilience as they attempt to salvage their campaign.
"If you have 12-15 Indian players, just 10 overseas and your entire staff is made of foreigners, that's an issue. Only a few of them are international players, rest are all Indians and half of them don't even understand English. How will you motivate them? Who spends time with them? Who talks to them? I can't see a single Indian staff member. At least there should be someone who the players can confide in," Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
"Players need a comfort level which they are not getting presently. Players go blank in front of captain Faf du Plessis because if he asks something, they will have to answer. If the leader is Indian, you can share what's going through your mind. But if you do that to an overseas player, you may be left out of the Playing XI in the next game. RCB need at least 2-3 Indian support staff," he added.
Virender Sehwag's concern about the lack of Indian support staff wasn't the only factor pinpointed by former players. Manoj Tiwary took a deeper dive into RCB's issues, suggesting they begin even before the season starts. Tiwary criticised RCB's historical struggles at the IPL auction. He believes the team hasn't mastered the art of building a balanced squad. This season, like many before, the bowling department seems to be the weakest link.
The absence of a specialist spinner and the decision to release experienced players like Shivam Dube and Yuzvendra Chahal are decisions they're now heavily regretting. These crucial roles haven't been adequately filled, leaving the team vulnerable.
Adding to the confusion is the recent benching of two of RCB's most expensive players - Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green - against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Tiwary, like many fans, is left questioning the rationale behind these choices.
All the good players of RCB leave to go and play for other teams: Manoj Tiwary
"I know where the problem is. From the auction table to the management. All the good players of this franchise leave to go and play for other teams. One of them is the leading wicket-taker this season [Yuzvendra Chahal]. You let them go. You don't persist with Virat Kohli's captaincy. He led them to the 2016 final. Then today, the 4 costliest players of the franchise whose collective budget is more than ₹40 crore, are all benched. Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph. Siraj was rested. So when you're spending so much money and then benching these players, you know where the problem lies," said Tiwary.
"Batting is not a problem. It was always bowling. They don't have a specialist spinner. You're making Will Jacks open the bowling. Sometimes Mahipal Lomror and even some of the on-field captaincy calls are terrible. Everything is wrong from every corner. They need to regroup entirely and devise a long-term plan," he concluded.
RCB are currently languishing on the bottom of the IPL 2024's points table with just one win in seven matches while SRH are well placed at no.4 in the standings. SRH will next face Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 20 while Du Plessis' RCB will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 21.
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