IPL 2017: Another Blow To Royal Challengers Bangalore

IPL 2017 is just around the corner and things couldn’t be worse than they already are for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Since the first ever Indian Premier League, RCB has been touted to be one of the most dominating team but unfortunately, the Virat Kohli-led side has never kissed the trophy. In the 10th edition of the IPL, Royal Challengers were said to be the favorite and Kohli was expected to continue his Chariot of Victory in the month and a half long cricketing action.

However, the injury bug has left RCB devastated with Virat Kohli being ruled out from at least the initial stages of the league due to his shoulder injury and AB de Villiers, who was to be crowned as the new captain, has been ruled out due to a back injury during the Momentum Cup.

There is no denying the fact that these two batsmen have contributed the most for Royal Challengers Bangalore, over the last 9 years but them being ruled out, the next best alternative is Shane Watson, who has been the perfect allrounder for the franchise. The former-Australian player has been named as the Captain of the Bangalore side for IPL 2017.

However, injuries continue to mount for Royal Challengers Bangalore as Sarfaraz Khan, who was expected to shine in the absence of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and KL Rahul, has also joined them on the treatment table instead.

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The 19-year-old has suffered a leg injury during a practice game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium before their opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, 5th April. RCB coach Daniel Vettori said, “Owing to a leg injury during the final Bangalore-based practice match session, Sarfaraz Khan will most likely be unavailable to play as a part of the RCB squad. We are evaluating the same with the BCCI. His absence will be definitely felt on-field and we wish him a speedy recovery”.

Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and KL Rahul were the three pillars holding RCB’s batting order, contributing the most number of runs in IPL 2016 and now in the absence of Sarfaraz Khan, they seem to have lost everything from the top order.

Royal Challengers Bangalore has never been a great bowling side and their dependence on the batting order may make matters worse in IPL 2017. The team is set to play the opening match of the league against defending champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad, on 5th April, which will also take us back to the previous year’s finale.

The last year’s runner-ups were definitely the favorites in the 10th edition of Indian Premier League and after Virat Kohli’s glorious home season, the side could have the one to reckon with. However, the team must be cursing their luck after the staggering amount of injuries that have mounted in the last couple of weeks, and they now need a good start and wait for the injured to join, in order to clinch their first ever IPL Trophy.