Today, we try to assess the weakest team in IPL 2020. Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tournament where no team can be counted out of the running unless when the fag end of a tournament approaches. Till the very last round of the matches, every team is in the running for a playoff berth. Thus it is important in a long tournament like IPL to not peak too early and fizzle out in the later stages.
While we have seen teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, traditionally considered to be the two strongest teams in the tournament start disastrously on multiple occasions. However, they have gained momentum in the middle stages and have slowly held on to their shape to emerge as eventual champions.
While teams like them have relied on collective brilliance, teams like Kolkata Knight Riders who are undoubtedly the most popular team in the franchise based league have relied on individual capacity to win the two editions of the tournament they played their best cricket in. However, one team that has never really been off the blocks early and able to finish well has been the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The Weakest Team in IPL 2020
The perennial underachievers of IPL, the team have had the most brilliant cricketers representing them. However, they have not been able to stand up to pressure and have thus reached the finals only once in 2016 losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The following are the reasons why they have the weakest team in IPL 2020 stint as well. The reasons cited are personal opinions.
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Lack of a Balanced Batting Order
On paper RCB has two of the greatest batting geniuses of the modern era- Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. However, when you look at the lower middle order, you would not find someone who can lend the necessary balance to the team. If both these greats falter in a match, there is hardly anybody to compensate for it.
Although RCB has roped in Australian limited-overs captain, the explosive Aaron Finch, and the English all-rounder Moeen Ali, both of them are past their prime. Even if Finch provides the required solidity at the top order, Moeen would need to share a bulk of the responsibility.
Playing both Finch and Moeen Ali could disturb their team combination as well since there is a cap on the number of foreigners a team can play with AB De Villiers being an automatic selection. Thus the lower middle order, a crucial aspect of T20 cricket is a muddle for RCB. Among the reasons why they are the weakest team in IPL 2020.
Lack of Death Bowling Options
It is RCB’s bowling that has cost them the most in the last few seasons. Although they have someone like Yuzvendra Chahal in their ranks who can turn the tide of a game with his ripping leg spinners, there is a definite lack of quality apart from him.
The Indian pace battery of Navdeep Saini, Mohammad Siraj, and Umesh Yadav is not threatening enough to strike fear into the opposition batsmen’s heart. Both Saini and Umesh rely on pace, something that will not be on offer much in the slow wickets of UAE. Mohammad Siraj has proved to be an expensive option in the past. Long gone are the days when Dale Steyn’s mere presence would be a cause of worry for the opposition batsmen.
The South African legend is past his prime and T20 cricket is not a format that he enjoys. Their panic buys Chris Morris is woefully out of form and has fallen out of favor with the South African cricket team. Among the reasons why they are the weakest team in IPL 2020.
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Lack of an Established Wicket-Keeper Batsman
The wicket-keeper gloves for this season will be donned by Joshua Phillipe. Although this Australian youngster is a talented player, his inclusion into the side will spell doom for the other foreign international recruits in the squad.
Moreover, his lack of experience in keeping in hot and sultry conditions will also come to the fore. The option of having Parthiv Patel as the keeper is feasible. But the diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman is way past his prime and no longer possesses the reflexes required for a keeper. Among the reasons why they are the weakest team in IPL 2020.
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