FIRST LOOK: ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

If there was one team that most people expected never to reach even the semi finals of the IPL, then that team was Royal Challengers Bangalore. Labeled a ‘test team’ at the start of the IPL, it consisted of players who are determined characters, but simply don’t look like they will fit in the shortest form of the game. But Vijay Mallya’s team reminded everyone that while T20 may be all about youngsters and being innovative, but orthodoxy still has a place in this version of the game. They finished IPL 1 in the seventh position, and after four defeats in the first five games, it looked as if they might finish even lower than before. But after that, things really fell into place for them and they really went from strength to strength before stumbling at the final hurdle. But even there they won the spectators’ hearts with a gritty performance led by the grittiest of men – Anil Kumble.

Let’s have a look at what might be in store for their fans this season.

Batting

RCB have a good mix of attacking batsmen and batsmen who can anchor the innings whilst playing the odd big shot. Dravid, Kallis, and Boucher are exactly the kind of men you need at the crease incase your team loses early wicket. They can rotate the strike quite efficiently and hit the big shots when needed. In the past one year Virat Kohli has grown a lot as a cricketer and has shown maturity which belies his age. Infact recently, coach Jennings had no hesitation in declaring him as the future captain of the team. Eoin Morgan, RCB’s sole buy this year too has shown impressive form. On the other hand RCB have got players like Kevin Pietersen, Cameron White, Ross Taylor, and the young Manish Pandey who can destroy the best bowling attacks. Even in the lower order there are players like Roelof Van Der Merwe and Pravin Kumar who can clear the ropes effortlessly. The biggest plus for RCB in the batting department is that a lot of their players have shown signs of good form over the last 12 months. Taylor and Pandey have been good; Morgan has left a lot of bowlers fuming and fielders panting, and Cameron White has emerged as a reliable number 5 for the Aussies. Kallis has been a regular fixture in the South African T20 side, and you can expect Dravid to turn up fully prepared for this version of the game. The big problem for RCB is that Pietersen’s availability is still in doubt, Taylor won’t be available for the first half of the tournament, and same is the case with White. Additionally, White may opt to play a four day final game for Victoria which would mean that his arrival will be later than most of the other players. This leaves them with just Manish Pandey as an attacking batsman. This means that either Kohli or Boucher will have to step up to take up the mantle of the second attacking option – or more commonly known as a floater. The absence of these big-wigs may prove a blessing in disguise for Robin Uthappa who has yet another chance to step up and be counted. Another batsman making a comeback will be S Sriram. Though it’s highly unlikely that he will get a game.

Bowling

RCB have plenty of variety in the bowling department. On one hand they have the fiery pace of Dale Steyn, and on the other they have the swing of Pravin Kumar available at their disposal. Add to that the emergence of A Mithun and Vinay Kumar as bright fast bowling prospects and you have got a bowling lineup which has a right blend of experience and youth. In the spin department, Anil Kumble will be well supported by Van Der Merwe. Apart from these bowlers, there will be plenty of others hoping to get a look in. B Kumar, K Appanna, and Dillon Du Preez got a few games each last season and most of them impressed. These frontline bowlers will have able support in the form of Jacques Kallis. Apart from these regulars, RCB also have the advantage of having good part-timers in the form of White and Kohli. For RCB to do well, Anil Kumble will be the key as he will bowl the crucial middle overs. If the RCB fans can be sure of one thing, then it’s that Kumble will turn up in top shape for the tournament. Whether his bowling will retain the same bite is another thing to be seen. Considering that their batting may not have all the foreign recruits in the beginning, the bowlers will really have to put their hands up and be counted.

Fielding

Fielding may turn out to be a major issue for RCB due to all the ageing legs in the side. But they also have some good fielders like Virat Kohli, Ross Taylor, and Cameron White. Boucher will don the gloves for most of the games, but should the back injury that he sustained during South Africa’s tour of India return to haunt him (or if RCB qualify for the semis early) then Sreevats Goswami may get a lookin.

Final Verdict

RCB may have looked a test side in the first season of IPL, but the resurgence of Kallis and Dravid, and some wise player selections have ensured that they have a very balanced side with plenty of bench strength, both in terms of foreign recruits and Indian players. They are being led by a captain who has never given less than 100 percent on the field, and who is well respected by his team mates. A large contingent of South African players means that most of the foreign recruits will be present for the entire tournament and they have just played a series in India, so they won’t spend too much time getting acclimatized to the conditions. Most of the players have shown good form over the past one year, and should be confident of doing well here. The key men here will be Anil Kumble – for his experience and captaincy; and Kallis for the balance that he lends to the side. All in all, after being ridiculed in the past, the Challengers look ready to hit back at their critics.

Royal Challengers Bangalore squad

Jacques Kallis	Vinay Kumar
Manish Pandey	Roelof Van Der Merwe
Rahul Dravid	Srivats Goswami
Virat Kohli	Bhuvanesh Kumar
Robin Uthappa	Eoin Morgan
Cameron White	Kevin Pietersen
Mark Boucher	S Sriram
Anil Kumble	K P Appanna
Praveen Kumar	Steven Smith
Dale Steyn	Dillon Du Prez
Abhimanyu Mithun
B Akhil
Ross Taylor