Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), having secured 12 points from their 12 matches, currently occupy the fifth position on the IPL points table. Their quest for a playoff spot continues, and to secure a spot in the top four, RCB must emerge victorious in their remaining two matches in the league stage.
In their last two matches, RCB will be up against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, and their primary objective is to secure wins. The current situation of RCB can be attributed, in part, to certain players who have underperformed throughout this season.
1. Anuj Rawat
During the IPL 2023 auction, RCB acquired the services of Anuj Rawat for a notable amount of INR Rs 3.40 Cr. The team had high hopes for Rawat, anticipating his impressive performance on the field. However, he has struggled to make a significant impact thus far. In the seven matches he has played, Rawat has only managed to accumulate 68 runs, averaging 22.67, with a strike rate of 121.43. This underwhelming performance falls short of the expectations placed upon him and may have contributed to RCB’s current position in the tournament.
2. Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik has had a disappointing IPL 2023. He has struggled in the 12 matches he has played, scoring only 140 runs with an average of 12.72 and a strike rate of 135.92. His highest score this season has been 30 runs, which is a significant decline compared to his performance in the previous IPL. In IPL 2022, Karthik had a remarkable season, scoring 330 runs in 16 matches at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 183.33. The contrast between his performances in the two seasons has left fans and experts confused.
3. Wanindu Hasaranga
In IPL 2022, Wanindu Hasaranga played a crucial role in RCB’s campaign until the second qualifier. He had an impressive season, finishing in second place in the race for the Purple Cap. Hasaranga took 26 wickets in 16 matches with an economy rate of 7.54. However, in the current season, Hasaranga joined the team after missing a few initial games due to national commitments. In the eight matches he has played so far, he has managed to claim nine wickets but with a high economy rate of 8.90.
4. Shahbaz Ahmed
Last season, Shahbaz Ahmed gained praise for his impactful contributions to RCB despite his limited time on the field. Ahmed showcased his abilities in IPL 2022, scoring 219 runs in 16 matches with an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of 120.99. He primarily batted lower in the order and also managed to take four wickets with the ball. However, in the ongoing season, Shahbaz Ahmed has struggled to perform for RCB in both batting and bowling departments. His performances have been disappointing thus far. With the bat, he has only managed to score 42 runs in eight matches at an average of 10.50. Furthermore, he has not been able to claim any wickets with the ball in the same number of matches.
