The Royals Challengers Bangalore franchise is going through one of its best years in the India Premier League. They are currently third in the IPL 2021 points table having won five of the seven games played, so far.
The Indian Premier League 2021 was suspended in May, earlier this year due to COVID concern. The tournament is all set to resume from September in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Bangalore-based franchise has made it to the IPL finals thrice, but could not go past the last hurdle on all occasions. The Virat Kohli-led franchise is in splendid form this year and will push harder to win the coveted IPL trophy.
In this article, we take a look at the five reasons why the Royal Challengers Bangalore can win IPL 2021.
1. Impressive performance in the first half of IPL 2021
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have shown a lot of promise this season. They have won five out of the seven matches played so far and have managed to put a collective performance in the first half of the season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the table-toppers – Delhi Capitals by 1 run in a thrilling encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. They have held their nerves perfectly in difficult situations, shaping the match result in their favor. The franchise has earned 10 points so far and will find it comparatively easy to qualify for the knockout stages.
The Virat Kohli-led men will look to carry the good momentum into the second half of the tournament.
2. Bowler’s in dazzling form
Often labeled as Royal Challengers Bangalore’s weakest link, their Bowling attack has proved to be their strength this year. The likes of Kyle Jamieson and Harshal Patel have developed the knack of picking wickets in crucial situations.
Their bowling line-up has collectively picked up 45 wickets, the second-most by a bowling attack this season. Their right-arm medium pacer, Harshal Patel is the current Purple Cap holder with 17 wickets in 7 matches, with 5/27 being his best. Harshal has conceded runs at a 9.17 economy rate, but his wicket-taking capability is what has made him the standout performer.
The Kiwi pacer, Kyle Jamieson is in the form of his life. He has picked up 9 wickets in 7 games so far in IPL 2021, but looking at his current form, he is one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket at the moment. If their bowling attack continues its impressive performance, RCB will be a tough team to beat in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League 2021.
3. Presence of AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell
AB De Villiers and Glenn Maxwell are two of the most destructive batsman in World Cricket. This powerhouse duo has joined forces with the Royal Challengers Bangalore this season.
Glenn Maxwell has been RCB’s top performer this year, with 226 runs in 7 matches including two fifties. He currently averages 37.16 with a strike rate of 144.80. The fearless middle-order batsman’s 59, which included 5 boundaries and 3 maximums against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 6th match of the season turned out to be a match-winning effort for his side.
AB De Villiers has been in sensational form this season. He averages 51.75 in seven games and has scored 207 runs including two fifties. Maxwell and De Villiers provide the much-needed firepower down the batting order for the Royal Challenger’s Bangalore.
4. UAE conditions will suit Yuzvendra Chahal
RCB’s bowler Yuzvendra Chahal looked a bit off-color in the first half of Indian Premier League 2021. The leg spinner managed to pick up just 4 wickets in 7 sevens and conceded runs at an economy rate of 8.26. In total the RCB spinners have picked just 11 wickets out of the 45 taken by their bowling attack. Only Left-armer Shahbaz Khan has put up a decent show with an economy rate of just 6.40 in 5 matches.
Last year, Yuzvendra Chahal was in the list of top 5 wicket-takers. He picked up 21 wickets in 15 games at an average of 19.28 and an economy rate of 7.08, the most by a spinner that season.
The conditions in UAE are known to be sluggish, favoring the spinners. With Chahal’s brilliant performance in the previous IPL held in UAE, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will back its match-winner to come good.
5. Presence of match-winners in the top-order
With the likes of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal featuring in RCB’s top order, it is arguably one of the best batting line-ups in IPL 2021. Glenn Maxell and AB De Villiers lit up the first half of IPL 2021 for RCB with their batting performance.
Collectively the RCB batting order has put up a scintillating performance in the first half of Indian Premier League 2021.
Captain Virat Kohli has taken it upon himself to do the opener’s job this season. He has scored 198 runs in 7 games so far at an average of 33.00. Padikkal, who was RCB’s highest run-getter last season, has scored 195 runs at an average of 39.00 and a strike rate in excess of 150.
The Kohli-Padikkal duo could change the fortunes of their side by leading them to their first-ever IPL title.
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