IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore Strengths and Weakness in IPL 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) is one of the only few teams in IPL to have very loyal fans base,even though RCB never lifted that elusive trophy ever,but still they have huge fandom .This fandom is mainly due to the heart of RCB team 'Virat Kohli',who is considered to be the best batsman of the morden cricket.

Royal Challengers Bangalore came to finals of IPL for 3 times but lost all of them (in 2009 to Deccan Chargers, in 2011 to Chennai Super Kings, in 2016 to Sunrisers Hyderabad). RCB always had best players in the form of Chris Gayle,AB Devilliers and Virat Kohli but still fans are craving for that Trophy. Can RCB change their fortune and win IPL title for the first time? Today we will discuss about the Strengths and Weakness of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023, Opportunities,threat and X Factor players for RCB in IPL 2023.

Strengths of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023

Image Credit: IPL

Biggest Strength of Royal Challengers Bangalore is always been Virat Kohli. In last few seasons he has been out of form,but he recently found his old touch and we had seen his performance in recently conducted T20 World Cup,where he was highest run getter and also played with 140+ strike rate. RCB also have one of the best finisher in the form of Dinesh Karthik,along with Captain Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell they make good experienced core.

RCB also have multiple dimensional players such as Glenn Maxwell, Shehbaz Ahmed and Mahipal Lomror. They had also bought Reece Topley in IPL Auction 2023, along with Josh Hazelwood can form Deadly Combination in bowling. Another Strength we can point out is the form of Mohammad Siraj,he is been in terrific form for team India and if he can keep that form and perform for RCB ,then they will definitely have a chance to win IPL trophy for the first time.

Weakness of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023

RCB have plenty of weakness going into IPL 2023. One of the weakness of Royal Challengers Bangalore is that they do not  have batter who can attack from ball 1. Both Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis takes some time to settle. Finn Allen can solve this problem,but due to team combination he can't fit into the playing XI. Another concern for RCB is Harshal Patel's form , he was terrific with the ball in 2021,but failed miserably in 2022. Harshal Patel's form is very crucial for RCB in IPL 2023,as he  struggled to take wickets in middle overs and went for plenty in death overs in 2022.

Also Read: Chennai Super Kings Strengths and Weakness in IPL 2023

RCB do not have a back up quality spinner for Hasaranga,ever since Yuzi Chahal went to Rajasthan Royals team,RCB management haven't found a quality Indian Spinner as his replacement.Another important cause of concern for RCB is that Faf du Plessis is not the same old CSK Faf,he struggled last season and fans will be hoping that their Captain will lead from the front in IPL 2023.

RCB also have to address about lack of quality batsman at number 5, so  either Mahipal Lomror or Suyash Pradhudessai will fight for that spot.

Threats 

Will Jacks has been replaced by New Zealand allrounder Michael Bracewell. Will Jacks has  sustained a muscle injury and will not be available for this Season.Some of the other few threats for RCB are, heavy dependency on domestic players and Maxwell to hold the middle order together. One of the two Openers Virat Kohli or Faf has to bat through the innings.

🔊 ANNOUNCEMENT 🔊

Michael Bracewell of New Zealand will replace Will Jacks for #IPL2023.

The 32-year-old all-rounder was the top wicket taker for Kiwis during the T20I series in India, and scored a fighting 140 in an ODI game. 🙌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/qO0fhP5LeY

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 18, 2023

Maxwell injury is another threat RCB Management and fans will be worried about as he got injured on his birthday ,which ruled him out of action for atleast 3 months. As per report, Hasaranga is likely to miss few initial match due to international commitment and his absence will be concern for RCB.

Opportunity for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023

Image Credit: IPL

The biggest opportunity in this year's IPL would be for Rajat Patidar. He was stand out player for RCB in last edition and his century in eliminator is part of the franchise's iconic moments in the tournament. Rajat Patidar will have chance to prove and cement his place permanently in RCB's playing XI and also making sure to get selected in Indian team for next T20 World Cup.

Spotlight will be once again on Virat Kohli to prove everyone that he is truly back in form. Virat Kohli had scored 700 runs in 16 innings of Asia Cup and World Cup at the average of 70 and Strike Rate of 142. If Virat Kohli make similar kind of come back for RCB then fans will be in treat for whole tournament and RCB will have brilliant chance of lifting title for the first time.

Out of  form Harshal Patel will have a chance to prove his worth once again and can make return to Indian setup, if he have repeat of IPL 2021 kind of performance.

X Factors Players for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023

Mohammad Siraj and Rajat Patidar will be two X Factor Players for RCB in IPL 2023. Mohammad Siraj has been in form of his life, bowling quick,swinging ball and taking important wickets in Powerplay. If he performs to his potential then it will be helpfull to win that elusive title. Another player who left mark in IPL 2022 is Rajat Patidar,calm and composed batsman smashed one of best T20 Centuries in knockouts. He is been averaging over 70 in last two domestic season and Rajat on his day can win matches single-handedly for RCB. 

Squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023

Faf du Plessis (C),Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik,Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell,Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anuj Rawat,David Willey, Finn Allen,Karn Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Siddarth Kaul, Suyash Prabhudessai, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Will Jacks, Sonu Yadav,Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh.

Read More: Mumbai Indians Strengths and Weakness in IPL 2023