Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are unlikely to make the playoffs of IPL 2021.
The Virat Kohli-led side qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2020 for the first time since their run to the final in 2016. They are still in search of their maiden IPL title, having finished as the runners-up on three occasions.
Talking on his YouTube channel, Akash said that he feels that despite having strong players, the Royal Challengers Bangalore team will not be able to make their place in the playoffs this season. Talking about the weak side of RCB, he said that the death bowling of the team still looks very weak. Akash said that Kyle Jamieson does not have that pace and Yorker on his own so that he can succeed in the last over. The former Indian cricketer said that he also does not see Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini as good death over bowlers. He cited RCB’s other weakness as his lower-order batting. Akash said that even though the top order of the team looks very good, the team does not have explosive batsmen in the lower order.
Akash said that he feels that once again the performance of Royal Challengers Bangalore will depend entirely on the form of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. The former batsman made a prediction about Virat’s batting, saying that he feels that the RCB captain’s bat will speak strongly this season and he will be able to name Orange Cap. He said that Yuzvendra Chahal can get the most wickets from the team. RCB made their place in the playoffs in IPL 2020, but in the eliminator match, the team suffered a defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
RCB started IPL 2020 brightly before their challenge withered away towards the latter stages of the tournament. They will hope to start on a positive note this season as well and maintain that momentum as the tournament progresses.
