Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost their second game of the ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024. Their most recent clash came against Shreyas Iyer’s Kolkata Knight Riders. Both sides took centre stage at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, March 29.
However, RCB were outplayed by KKR; the two-time champions won the game after they chased a target of 183 runs in just 16.5 overs. It was clearly a day to forget for the RCB bowlers.
Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal were hit for 46 runs each in three and four overs respectively; Alzarri Joseph conceded 34 runs in two overs; and Mayank Dagar conceded 23 runs in 2.5 overs.
The bowling performance of the side did not sit well with former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. The former spinner opined that RCB do not have good bowlers in their arsenal in the IPL 2024. Interestingly, he also talked about the bowlers they released.
“Where are the bowlers? They don’t have good bowlers in IPL 2024. For me, bowling is an area of concern. What did they do with Yuzvendra Chahal? He was their best bowler, but he was not retained. He is one of the legends of the game,” Harbhajan Singh told Star Sports.
“They also had Wanindu Hasaranga, but he was also released. You can’t win matches by releasing big players. Barring Mohammed Siraj, I don’t find any bowlers who can win matches for the team. Even Siraj is struggling for form. They rested Karn Sharma from the match against KKR,” he added.
They don’t back players: Harbhajan Singh
Furthermore, Harbhajan Singh also highlighted the point of Royal Challengers Bengaluru not backing their players over the years. Citing the example of Shivam Dube and how he is performing brilliantly for Chennai Super Kings, Harbhajan said,
“They don’t back players. RCB couldn’t get the best out of Shivam Dube, who is now winning matches for Chennai Super Kings. He was CSK’s star performer in the title-winning season in 2023. When Shivam played for RCB, he failed to perform. Actually, players get backing at CSK, but the situation is different in RCB. If you send Dube to bat at the No.5 or 6 slot, he will fail.”
