Karn Sharma is the lucky mascot RCB needs in IPL 2022

Royal Challengers Bangalore have yearned to engrave their name on the IPL trophy since the inception of the tournament in 2008. They have a rich history in the prestigious tournament but have nothing to show for it in the trophy cabinet as luck has eluded them in their quest for silverware. They realise that sport is not just about individual excellence; it is about the collective efforts of excellent individuals with varied skills. Be it the iconic 1983 World Cup-winning outfit led by Kapil Dev or the 2011 World champion unit under MS Dhoni, the experienced senior statesmen and the exuberance of youth stitched together a team of world-beaters.

Perhaps RCB’s best chance came in 2016 when a team of superstars comparable to the ‘Galácticos’ was playing the final in front of their jubilant home crowd at the Chinnaswamy. The men in red, billed as the heavyweights going into the final, featured Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, and KL Rahul – a lineup that would send shivers down the spine of the oppositions. After failing on two accounts previously, in 2009 and 2011, this felt like the crowning moment of the Bangalore franchise, which contested for the coveted trophy against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The game was touted as the perfect contest between bat and ball as RCB’s batters had blown away teams in the competition, whereas, for SRH, the bowlers restricted the opposition to modest scores. The match panned out as expected, as Sunrisers batters launched an onslaught against Bangalore’s relatively weak bowling lineup as they posted a gigantic total of 208 runs. But if any side had a chance to overhaul this total, it was RCB. The punishing Chris Gayle and run machine Virat Kohli were running away with the game, but the SRH bowlers, unlike their counterparts, held their nerves as SRH pulled the rabbit out of the hat by securing an improbable victory in the finals.

RCB’s date with destiny beckons in IPL 2022

Playing for RCB means great expectations, expectations that over time have become a burden for players. Poor decisions by the management and absurd auction strategies have seen them let go of players like Jacques Kallis, Shane Watson, Manish Pandey and Quinton de Kock, who have won multiple titles for different sides. Kohli, who shouldered the burden for 11 long years and guided the side to an IPL final in 2016, finally gave up on the reigns last season. South African Faf du Plessis has since taken the charge and has led the team to Qualifier 2, just one step away from the final.

It seems like the stars have finally aligned for the RCB after 14 long years as they have been a bit fortunate to have reached this stage of the tournament. But RCB fans believe that they have been due this luck for some time now, and long may it continue. Perhaps, one could argue that a specific player is a reason for their success so far? A player that is not even part of the playing XI? Surely not? You would wonder that it’s a team sport and no single player can win it for you, that too from the sidelines. But for the first time in three years, RCB has made it past the Eliminator. Coincidence? A certain Karn Sharma would disagree.

The leg-spinner has won four IPL titles, three of which came in consecutive years, which is an impressive feat in itself, and all three of those trophies came representing different sides. His maiden triumph came with SRH in 2016, performing quite poorly for the team. The following year he impressed with Mumbai Indians and bagged home the trophy for the second time. In 2018, he moved to CSK, where he accomplished a hat-trick of IPL trophies, a miraculous feat that’s near impossible to repeat. Karn added another feather to his cap when he won the IPL for the fourth time last year, without even a single appearance for CSK in the season.

Karn was roped in by RCB in the 2022 auction but is yet to make an appearance for the men in red. RCB management, listen to our plea, give the man whatever he desires, keep him fit, keep him healthy, as he might deliver the elusive trophy to the tired and hopeful hands of Virat Kohli.