IPL 2020: 5 changes RCB can make to come back to winning ways

It was a disappointing day for Royal Challengers in the sixth game of IPL where they suffered a massive 97-run loss against Kings XI Punjab. A lot of the past problems, which RCB has had since a few seasons, were once again blatantly exposed.

KXIP, after being put in to bat promptly by the RCB skipper, got off to a good start with Mayank Agarwal and skipper KL Rahul playing fluently in the first few overs. At 90-1 at the halfway stage, Punjab looked poised for a big score but a decent effort from RCB bowlers pegged them back and at 146-3 after 17 overs, it looked like KXIP were likely to finish between 175-180.

But Rahul had other plans. He went on an absolute rampage in the last three overs, smoking 60 runs and playing an innings for the ages scoring an unbeaten 132 of just 69 balls which is the highest score by an Indian as well as a captain in the history of IPL.

A good effort by the RCB bowlers went down the drain. Nevertheless, with a powerful batting line up, everyone expected RCB to come within touching distance of the score and the match to go down to the wire. Unfortunately, RCB’s line up wilted under pressure and folded up for just 109.

All old problems such as death bowling, poor fielding, over-reliance on Kohli and de Villiers, undefined roles of players and faulty team selection came back into the conversation and it seems that after a win in their first game, they have someone gone back to where they left off from in 2019. Nonetheless, it is still early days in the tournament and RCB surely can make a comeback. But the need of the hour is surely some radical changes.

Here are 5 changes RCB can do to get back to winning ways in IPL 2020:

1. Parthiv Patel in for Joshua Philippe

RCB picked youngster Joshua Philippe for the first two games, perhaps to fill in the wicketkeeper’s role and also because he had a successful BBL stint at the start of the year. However, in the two games, Joshua doesn’t seem to have a fixed role in the team.

While in the first game he came in at No. 6, in the game against KXIP, in a steep run chase in excess of 200, he came in to bat at No.3 ahead of Virat Kohli. Both the times, he couldn’t do much. Joshua had succeeded in the BBL as an opener and in this team, he just seems to be a floater which isn’t boding well for him.

Parthiv Patel might not be the most explosive batsmen but has a wealth of experience and can give good starts especially in the Powerplay. While in 2018 he got only six games, last year when he got all 14, he played quite well and scored 373 runs for RCB. He may not be the X-factor or gamechanger but surely with a calm head over his shoulders, Parthiv will add a lot more to RCB than Joshua currently is.

2. Moeen Ali in for Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch has scored 29 and 20 in the first two games he has played. While the number of runs isn’t too low, the manner in which he has got them has been unimpressive. He has looked out of sorts and struggled for timing.

He doesn’t look comfortable on the pitches of UAE, being unable to rotate the strike or hit the big shots. It might be slightly premature to leave out the Australian captain right now itself, but it is important to note RCB has in the dugout a player who was a top performer for them last year and will add strength to multiple departments– Moeen Ali.

In 11 matches last year, Moeen scored 220 runs coming in the middle order at a phenomenal strike rate of 166. He might not be as effective against pacers but he is a menace against spin bowling.

With spinners expected to play a prominent role in the latter half of the tournament and Ali expected to come in eventually, he can be brought in now itself so that he is ready to fire towards the end. Add to that he is a handy off-spinner as well and increases the options for captain Kohli. This is a change RCB should definitely consider.

3. Isuru Udana in for Dale Steyn

There was a time Dale Steyn was the most feared bowler in world cricket. Unfortunately, that time is long gone by. With all the injuries Steyn has faced in the last few years, he just looks a pale shadow of himself now.  While he didn’t do badly in the first game, giving away 33 runs picking 1 wicket. But against KXIP, his lack of variety and pace was exposed by KL Rahul as the South African gave away 57 runs in his 4 overs.

Isuru Udana is a good option as a replacement. He had been bought in the auction to sort out RCB’s problems with the death overs and it is time to use him now. He will not only add variation as a left armer but his slower balls have been very effective as well.

In T20 leagues across the world, he has an economy of just 8.02 in the death overs (16-20). He is also pretty handy with the bat and will add depth to RCB’s batting line up. As big a legend Steyn is, he needs to be dropped for better balance in the RCB team.

4. Chris Morris in for Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav continues to be a mediocre T20 bowler. He has carried on from where he left last year. After giving 48 runs from his quota of 4 overs in the first game against SRH, he gave away 35 off his 3 against KXIP. The RCB management needs to realise while Umesh Yadav is a good hit the deck bowler, he lacks control and variations– two of the biggest requirements to be a good T20 bowler.

He strays way too often on the leg side and because of his performance, instead of attack, the other bowlers have to bowl to contain runs. He needs to be replaced by Chris Morris.

Chris Morris, RCB’s biggest buy in the auction, has been out with a side strain in the first 2 games. It is expected he will be back in the following game. He will definitely elevate RCB’s side. He is a fantastic death bowler with 75 wickets in the 16-20 overs in 146 overs he has bowled for various franchises at a decent economy of 8.48.

He can bowl up front and at the death and possesses variations as well as a great yorker. Add to that his useful batting abilities down the order, Morris is the need of the hour for RCB.

5. Shahbaz Ahmed in for Washington Sundar

This change is not due to the player’s poor performance but because of the management’s poor handling of the player. Washington, a very talented all-rounder, was used beautifully by Steve Smith in the 2017 IPL playing for Rising Pune Supergiant.

He would usually be bowled 3 overs in the Powerplay and he would do a good economical job. He ended up picking 8 wickets in 11 games at an economy of just 6.16. However, since moving to RCB, neither Sundar has been played enough and in the games, he has been played his role has been undefined.

The result has been that he has picked 8 wickets in 2018 and 2019 in 11 games at an economy of 9.17. Even this season Sundar’s role looks undefined and has bowled only 3 overs in 2 games.

Shahbaz Ahmed is an exciting young talent, who is a left-arm off-spinner and a left-handed batsman. He could be used with more flexibility by skipper Kohli. He also is more explosive than Washington and could be a better prospect at number 7 than him. It is unfortunate Sundar hasn’t been given more opportunities, but Ahmed is likely to fit more in this RCB team.