5 Things that went wrong for RCB in IPL 2017

A lot of people back Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the IPL title at the start of every season. Their hopes have never been fulfilled, though they reached the finals last year, but fell agonisingly short by 8 runs of Sunrisers score of 208. The presence of T20 stars like Chris Gayle, Samuel Badree, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli and now Tymal Mills – who was acquired ahead of the season at a high price to bolster the woeful RCB bowling – RCB’s backing to lift the title is justifiable.

Yet they failed collectively this year, breaking the hearts of their fans. Nobody expected them to lose 8 out of their first 11 games, which has now left them with no chance of progressing ahead in the tournament. RCB never had the ideal beginning to this year’s IPL. A few of their star players were out injured which depleted their squad. The bench strength was tested but failed to fill in the shoes of the big stars.

They were in a similar situation last year but successfully turned around a similar campaign by winning 7 out of their 8 games to reach the finals. By Kohli’s own admission, such performances can’t be emulated every year. RCB are all but out of the reckoning and below are the 5 reasons why they couldn’t do well this year:

1. Injury to star batsman KL Rahul:

Not many associated Rahul with T20 cricket but he proved himself by having a breakthrough season for RCB last year. The 24-year-old was very consistent throughout the season batting either in the middle order or opening the innings. He scored 397 runs in 12 innings at 44.11 and striking at 146.49 per 100 balls faced.

A lot was expected from Rahul this year but he pulled out of IPL 2017 days before the start of the competition. His shoulder, which was injured during the long home Test season, required surgery which would need at least 10-12 weeks recovery. RCB sorely missed his services.

2. Kohli and de Villiers failing to make an impact

Kohli and de Villiers collectively scored more than 1600 runs last year which was instrumental in RCB’s road to the final. This year, both were nursing injuries ahead of the season and joined the squad only after the first two games. Both are big impact players but failed to perform to their lofty standards.

They have played 7 games each so far and have been a part of just one win. Virat and AB have had middling seasons. Even if one of them could have repeated the feats of 2016, RCB would have been in a better position in the league. RCB’s over-reliance on the duo is not ideal but it has been the case for a few seasons now.

3. Gayle’s scratchy form

Chris Gayle has been an integral cog in the RCB batting line-up ever since he joined the franchise in 2011. Though he completed his historic 10,000-run landmark during the course of the season, Gayle largely looked a pale shadow of himself.

Due to his poor form, which has been the case since last season, Gayle has been picked for just 6 games this year. He hit some form during his innings of 77 but could only muster to 75 runs in the rest 5 games at a below par strike rate of 124.59. With Rahul out injured, RCB did not have a suitable replacement for the Jamaican opener.

4. Tymal Mills fail to live up to the expectation

Acquired at a huge sum of Rs 12 crores, all eyes were on Mills when he ran in to bowl the first ball of this year’s IPL. Mills has the reputation of being a T20 specialist and impressed Kohli when he faced the left-arm quick in the T20 series against England earlier during the year.

The burden of his price tag may have bothered Mills who could only win 5 caps for RCB this year. The 25-year-old picked just 5 wickets and had a high economy rate of 8.57. His performances were not what RCB expected of him as they were relying on Mills to give their otherwise dismal bowling attack a better look.

5. Indifferent form of Kedar Jadhav

Jadhav came into the tournament with absolute confidence. He had done exceptionally well in pressure situations during the ODI series against England and hence a lot was expected of him especially in the absence of Kohli and de Villiers initially. He began the tournament in fine form scoring a match-winning 37-ball 69 against the Daredevils which gave RCB their first win.

Post this innings the runs started to dry up as Jadhav never went past fifty in the next 8 games he played. He had the potential to carry the struggling middle-order of RCB on his shoulders. Jadhav will be disappointed with his efforts this season.