IPL 2019: Key issues which RCB are facing this term
What's the story
Royal Challengers Bangalore have got off to a difficult start in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They remain the only team which has failed to register a single win till now. A crisis has engulfed RCB, as both skipper Virat Kohli as well as the management look clueless. Which factors have led to this crisis? We decode here.
Information
RCB have a net run rate of -1.901
RCB are at the bottom of the League table, as they have lost four games on the trot. However, their net run rate of -1.901 tells us the complete story of this campaign. Out of four matches, they were thrashed in two.
Opening
Opening combination remains the biggest issue
In the first three matches, RCB tried out three different opening combinations. Parthiv Patel batted with new faces in these three games. Virat Kohli, Moeen Ali and Shimron Hetmyer came to open in the first three games, before the skipper featured once again in the fourth match. RCB opening batsmen have stitched scores of 16, 27, 13 and 49. This has hurt them badly.
Positions
Chopping and changing a recurring theme
Several batsmen in the squad look confused about their roles. The constant changes in batting positions have impacted the side. RCB missed the trick by not sticking to basics. When you lose often, the body language suffers and this has plagued the side. The management seems to be trying too hard to extract the best out of batsmen. The bowling has been flat too.
Mindset
RCB's mindset a major problem
Over the years RCB have been guilty of depending on two or three star players in the side to get them through. This mindset hasn't changed. Only Yuzvendra Chahal has done well with the ball, but he has received no support. When AB de Villiers and Kohli do not fire, the batting crumbles as we have seen this theme in 2019 once again.
Factors
These factors have impacted them further
RCB's inability to close out games and win the small battles has cost them. The fielding standards have dropped considerably and this is due to fear of losing. New acquisitions haven't fired up till now. There is that added pressure with constant change in XI. Kohli's captaincy continues to be below-par. And as of now, it looks RCB didn't plan the acquisition strategy well.