RCB will not win IPL 2024 title claims former England captain after KKR make a mockery of run chase in Bengaluru

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their 10th match in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Michael Vaughan stated that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru cannot secure victory in the marquee tournament.

The Faf du Plessis-led team’s bowling faltered against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, March 29. Despite setting a target of 183 runs, RCB suffered a seven-wicket defeat as KKR chased down the total within 16.5 overs.

Bengaluru’s loss marked the first defeat for a home team in the ongoing tournament. The Shreyas Iyer-led side climbed to second place in the table with four points and an NRR of +1.047. Meanwhile, the RCB team occupies sixth place with one win in three matches.

Impossible For RCB- Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan took to X (formerly known as Twitter) after Bengaluru’s defeat in the IPL 2024 match. The former England captain criticized Bengaluru’s bowling performance, stating that the team’s chances of winning the tournament were slim.

“Impossible for @RCBTweets to win the IPL with this bowling attack .. #OnOn #IPL2024live,” Michael Vaughan wrote.

Impossible for @RCBTweets to win the IPL with this bowling attack .. #OnOn #IPL2024live

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2024

Kolkata’s opening duo, Sunil Narine and Philip Salt launched a relentless assault in the powerplay, amassing 85 runs. Narine scored 47 runs from 22 balls, comprising two fours and five sixes, while Salt added 30 off 20, featuring two boundaries and two sixes.

Bengaluru’s bowlers struggled to recover from the initial dominance shown by Narine and Salt. Venkatesh Iyer’s half-century, scoring 50 runs from 30 deliveries with three boundaries and four sixes, provided a significant boost to KKR’s momentum in the run chase.

Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, and Alzarri Joseph faced challenges in their bowling spells, registering economy rates of 15.30, 11.50, and 17.00, respectively. Vijaykumar Vyshak was an economical bowler, conceding only 23 runs in 4 overs while also claiming a wicket.

RCB Have No Choice – Tom Moody

Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody voiced criticism of RCB’s bowling performance. Moody emphasized the necessity for RCB to field two overseas specialist pacers, advocating for the inclusion of Lockie Ferguson and Reece Topley in the playing XI.

“#RCB have no choice but to play two overseas specialist pace bowlers. #Ferguson and #Topley must start. #IPL24,” wrote Moody.

#RCB have no choice but to play two overseas specialist pace bowlers. #Ferguson and #Topley must start. #IPL24

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 29, 2024

Faf du Plessis Should Have Bowled Glenn Maxwell – Irfan Pathan

Former Indian bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan emphasized the importance of RCB addressing their bowling issues. Pathan criticized captain Faf du Plessis for not utilizing Glenn Maxwell’s bowling skills during the power play against KKR.

“Faf should have bowled Maxwell in the power play. KKr did bowl Anukul in power play which worked in a way of economy,” wrote Pathan.

Faf should have bowled maxwell in the power play. KKr did bowl Anukul in power play which worked in a way of economy.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 29, 2024

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 83 off 59 balls, with the help of four boundaries and four six. RCB’s defeat to KKR has dropped them to sixth place in the IPL 2024 standings, with a net run rate of -0.711.

The team will resume their campaign on Tuesday, April 2, facing the Lucknow Super Giants in another home fixture.

Also read: Michael Vaughan snubs Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill to name the leading run-scorer of IPL 2024