Royal Challengers Bangalore, a star-studded team from the first season of the IPL, have always looked good. One of the strongest teams on paper after every auction, most experts, before the start of a season, predict them to lift the cup. However it is safe to say that the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are having a fantastic season as of now. They have a really good chance of winning this time around as they have already won five out of their seven matches In IPL 2020. Not only their senior players but their youngsters have also stepped up and have been consistent. Former Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Brad Hogg said that Devdutt Padikkal has taken a huge weight off the shoulders of the three big guns in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batting line-up. His consistency at the top has made things easy for the middle-order.Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have been the crux of the RCB batting line-up for several years now. Australia limited-overs captain Aaron Finch was also added to the mix this season and was expected to make good contributions as an opener.

 

“The rise of Padikkal has added extra spice in the top four of RCB taking a huge weight off the shoulders of the three big guns Finch, Kohli, & De Villiers. Padikkal the pick of the tournament at the halfway mark,” Hogg tweeted. He felt that RCB were the “Real Deal” of IPL 2020. The only issue they had was their death bowling and ever since Morris has returned from his journey, that too seems to have been solved. The pace trio of Navdeep Saini, Chris Morris and Isuru Udana have been bowling well while spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar have been able to complement them superbly. RCB are currently placed third in the points table and look all set to make the playoffs unless they start playing like their 2019 self.

 

RCB have a busy schedule ahead of them this week. They face Kings XI Punjab next on Thursday, followed by the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday and Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday. Can RCB win their maiden IPL title? Can they go on to be crowned the IPL 2020 champions? Can they play bold? Only time will tell

By Arvind Krishnan

Cricket writer, statistician and analyst. An unorthodox media student, marketing runs in his blood. Sports Marketer and analyst.