IPL 2024: 3 Changes Royal Challengers Bengaluru should make to get back to winning ways

It was a shocking day for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kolkata Knight Riders continued their dominant show against RCB with yet another comprehensive win on Friday. The 7-wicket win came with 3.1 overs left to play to help KKR move into the second spot in the table. 

None of the RCB bowlers could rise to the occasion with the ball against a marauding KKR opening pair. 85 runs came in the first six overs as Sunil Narine continued his batting love story against RCB with a 22-ball 47 runs. Phil Salt too wasted no time as he scored 30 runs in 20 balls. Venkatesh Iyer took away the plaudits with a well-crafted fifty to his name. 

Barring Virat Kohli none of the RCB batters could do well with the bat. Australian duo Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell did their best to support the former RCB skipper. The total of 182 on such a good batting surface though looked insufficient.

Here are the three changes Royal Challengers Bengaluru need to make before their next game against LSG:

3. RCB need to replace Rajat Patidar in the middle-order

With just 21 runs from 3 games at an average of 7 and best of 18 vs PBKS, Rajat Patidar is under pressure. The 30-year-old has seen his form desert him and his confidence is at an all-time low. Rajat Patidar hasn’t been able to make a telling contribution so far in this edition of IPL 2024.

This should give the RCB team management a chance to rope in Mahipal Lomror or Suyash Prabhudesai in the playing XI against LSG. Mahipal Lomror in particular is a good prospect as he is a good fielder and can also chip in with the ball. The youngster played a key role in RCB’s win against PBKS in a tense run chase.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

2. Time to draft in Akash Deep instead of Yash Dayal

The one thing RCB team management needs to realize is that the Yash Dayal experiment isn’t working. The left-arm seamer has already conceded 97 runs from the three games and picked just 3 wickets. On Friday, Sunil Narine went after Yash Dayal and took 21 runs in the final over before the powerplay.

Akash Deep is sitting in the reserves and eagerly waiting for his chance. The 27-year-old needs to be given a chance for the RCB side in the next game against LSG. Akash Deep has just made his Test debut and left everyone amazed with his bowling skills. With his pace and variations, Akash Deep could turn out to be a great addition.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Purple Cap

1. Two viable options to replace misfiring Alzarri Joseph

Three matches played,  1 wicket taken and 115 runs conceded are the bowling figures of Alzarri Joseph. The West Indian bowler gave away 34 runs from just the 2 overs he got to bowl against KKR on Friday. It is unfathomable he will find his name in the RCB XI for the next game against LSG. 

Will Jacks and Lockie Ferguson be given a go for RCB’s next game against LSG? English star Will Jacks is not only an explosive batter but also more than handy with the ball. Lockie Ferguson needs no introduction to IPL cricket. The Kiwi pacer has picked 37 wickets from the 38 games and can unsettle the best with his pace.