Indian Premier League 2024 is nearly halfway through and a handful of sides have found the right combinations for their team. Unfortunately, Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) aren't one of them and have found themselves struggling in IPL 2024 with just one win from seven matches so far. RCB's latest defeat came against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 15 after they conceded 287 runs - the highest-ever total in franchise T20 cricket. The Faf du Plessis-led RCB made 262 in reply, becoming the first team in the IPL to score a total above 250 while chasing.
Their only win this season came against Punjab Kings at home where they won by four wickets. The Bengaluru-based franchise has lost five consecutive matches since then and is rooted to the bottom of the points table with only two points and a poor Net Run Rate of -1.185.
However, they can still make it to the IPL 2024 playoffs if they win all their remaining league fixtures, which seems rather farfetched considering their underperforming bowling unit and inexperienced domestic contingent. They have made comebacks in the past though.
What's wrong with RCB in 2024?
While RCB's batting has clicked this season, their bowling attack has been ordinary since the start. With Mohammed Siraj having a below-par season with the ball and a spin attack that has failed to be a threat to opposition batters, it's safe to say that their bowling has been a major area of concern. Captain Faf du Plessis even admitted they "don't have as many weapons" with the ball. RCB have one of the worst economy rates this season with a bowling average of over 90 in the powerplay.
RCB have used as many as 20 players in IPL 2024 so far and have struggled to find a settled XI. Their previous game against SRH offered glimpses of what has gone wrong with their bowling unit this season as four of their bowlers conceded more than 50 runs - a first in the IPL.
The fact that Indian legend Virat Kohli is currently the leading run-scorer in the IPL 2024 with 361 runs in seven innings and Dinesh Karthik has been enjoying a fine season for the team as a finisher but they have been completely overshadowed by RCB's underperforming bowling unit.
What did they say?
"It's tough, we tried quite a few things, a few different things, and they weren't quite working. So it's a sign of confidence in the other group. When your confidence is low, there's nowhere to hide in the game." du Plessis said after the loss against SRH.
"We lost the game but I was really proud of the way we fought. It was really a night in the field of course. We will have a think, we will come back stronger, it's obviously knockout time. Every game is like a semi-final game for us." RCB head coach Andy Flower looked optimistic in the dressing room chat on Monday.
How can RCB still qualify for IPL playoffs?
RCB, as their head coach Andy Flower pointed out, need to treat every game from here as a knockout. RCB need to win their next seven matches to make sure they get to 16 points.
Even 16 points might not prove enough if they are tied with one or more teams on the points table as their Net Run Rate has taken a beating.
Whenever the IPL had eight or more teams (in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023), 16 points have been the minimum to make the playoffs. The Royals Challengers have to win all their next seven fixtures to stay in the playoffs race and will also need other struggling teams like Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians to lose as many matches as possible. But, it will not be smooth sailing for them as they will face four former IPL champions in their upcoming matches.
In the coming matches, RCB's bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph and others need to perform. They need to bounce back with a good economy and start picking up wickets.
They also need their overseas players like Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Reece Topley, and Lockie Ferguson to deliver the goods.
RCB made a comeback in the past
RCB were languishing at the bottom of the points table after winning only one out of their first five matches in IPL 2009. However, they won seven of their next nine to reach the semi-finals and eventually the final. However, the Anil Kumble-led side was not able to win the title as they lost to the now-defunct Deccan Chargers in Johannesburg.
RCB's remaining fixtures
April 21, Sunday: KKR v RCB in Kolkata
April 25, Thursday: SRH vs RCB in Hyderabad
April 28, Sunday: GT vs RCB in Ahmedabad
May 4, Saturday: RCB vs GT in Bengaluru
May 9, Thursday: PBKS vs RCB in Dharamsala
May 12, Sunday: RCB vs DC in Bengaluru
May 18, Saturday: RCB vs CSK in Bengaluru