Former India batsman and cricket expert Aakash Chopra recently did a SWOT analysis of Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. The new season of IPL gets underway from September 19 in UAE with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all set to take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the season-opener in Abu Dhabi. RCB will open their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 21.
Chopra believes there are still some glaring weaknesses in RCB squad which might once again prevent them from challenging for the title this year.
“One of their problems has been their death over batting. If AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli play till the end it is fine, but if not then who? It can be a matter of concern although it is better than earlier because they have Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar and Chris Morris,” said Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Dube and Sundar have played quite a bit for India and have scored runs and done their job, they are far more experienced. They should play Moeen Ali down the order and with the new acquisition Chris Morris, the four of them together can do the job even though they may not be the best in the world,” he added.
“The second problem is the death over bowling. Chris Morris is not a gun death bowler, even if you play Dale Steyn, he is also not a gun death bowler. Then who is the gun death bowler – Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj – they do not inspire the confidence that you would perhaps want,” said Chopra.
RCB finished at a disappointing eighth position in IPL 2019 and would be hopeful of sparking a turnaround this year as they aim to clinch their maiden IPL title.
