Irfan Pathan wondered if Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have a strong batting squad for IPL 2024. He noted Anuj Rawat, a lesser-known player, was a middle-order batter for them the previous season.
Rawat hit 91 runs with a 128.16 strike rate in seven IPL 2023 innings. RCB had to put him on the team due to Rajat Patidar being unavailable and Dinesh Karthik’s poor performance.
Pathan discussed on Star Sports if RCB will rely again on their hitters like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell. He agreed, explaining:
“Absolutely, because the bowling is not as strong as it used to be, despite them having not won the tournament yet in so many years. So the batting will be the key, how they start and how they play in the middle overs as well.
Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan Added:
“You have got to keep an eye on that. We always talk about them being a batting superstars’ team. However, if Anuj Rawat is playing in the middle overs, is it really a superstar team? So that wasn’t the case.”
Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan admitted that RCB’s batting could greatly benefit from acquiring Cameron Green. Despite this, he also highlighted a potential issue, stating that Green’s presence in the playing XI may disrupt team balance. This would limit them to just one foreign bowler.
Sunil Gavaskar explains the reason behind RCB’s disappointment with Dinesh Karthik’s in IPL 2023
People questioned Sunil Gavaskar about Dinesh Karthik’s low scores with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023. He replied:
“I think that is what would have disappointed them because he is such a good finisher and somehow he wasn’t quite able to deliver last year. But it could be one of those seasons. You have a bad season, so that could be the case as far as DK is concerned.”
Sunil Gavaskar
Yet, the previous India team leader believes the keeper-scorer has the potential to make a significant recovery this season.
“He could come this time around and change it completely positively for RCB just when they need those extra 25-30 runs in say an over or two. With his experience, he certainly can do that.”
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar remarked that Karthik’s expertise might benefit RCB’s bowlers. He said that the franchise’s bowling isn’t nearly ready for the T20 format and is a greater issue than their hitting.