ChatteR Views:- Episode 2:- RCB Pre Season Review:- Kaushik

Welcome to the Second Episode of 'ChatteR Views'. In this Episode, we will have the Pre Season Review of RCB. To discuss about RCB, We are joined by Kaushik Bhai (@_CricKaushik_), a Cricket Enthusiast and RCB Fan from Assam.

RJVV:- First of all Welcome Kaushik Bhai, You are our second guest in the new series, ChatteR Views. Great to have you here to talk about RCB. RJVV:- RCB, as we know had a very peculiar Season last Year, The Season started off brilliantly, and at one stage they were looking like arguably the second-best side with 5 Wins out of the First 7 Matches, A fit Morris had Joined the Team after the First Five Matches providing the Team with a bankable Death Bowler, But Things took a big turn after the First 10 Matches (of which the Team had Won 7). RCB lost all the Five Matches after that including the Eliminator against SRH. A certain looking Playoff spot suddenly looked out of reach, but they qualified at No.4 in the Points Table with 14 Points pipping KKR with a marginally superior Run Rate. So Kaushik Bhai, Your thoughts on RCB's Performance in the last Season? Kaushik:- Well, at the beginning of the season I had high hopes on RCB doing well last season. They had a squad, which can do well against any team particularly in the conditions of UAE. After the season I wasn't satisfied at all because they had the best chance to win the title last year. They did some small mistakes at the end with some injuries of big players like Saini, Morris which made things harder at the end for them. As a whole RCB had a brilliant season with the ball but batting wasn't up to the mark, what they are known for. They did almost all the things right but was carrying a risk of having AB doing all the stuffs. Other players were underutilized who could have done well in those middle overs which became the highlight of the RCB season. They had one of the poorest season of batting in the middle overs. Overall, it was a bowlers season and comparatively the think tank did really well throughout the season.

RJVV:- Now coming to the Auction, RCB retained 12 Players and brought 2 Players (Harshal Patel and Daniel Sams) through Trades before the Auction, Leaving them with 35.4 Cr to fill 3 Overseas and 8 Indian slots to fill. So they had one of the busiest Auctions. The Players they bought were:- 🔸Glenn Maxwell 🔸Kyle Jamieson 🔸Dan Christian 🔹Sachin Baby 🔹M Azharuddeen 🔹Rajat Patidar 🔹Suyash Prabhudessai 🔹KS Bharat So your thoughts on RCB's Auction Performance? Kaushik:- They didn't have a bad auction at all but definitely did wrong by leaving Chris Morris and again bidding for him up to 10 crores. That was beyond my understanding. One of the main reason why they left Morris could be their plan of having Mitchell Starc. But unfortunately, he opted out once again. But overall they had a decent auction with almost all bases covered. Yes, the death overs do look weaker but I think they got the players who can manage the things at the end. I was happiest to see them picking so many Indian domestic players who are showing great intent and capabilities of performing at this stage. And having matches outside the Chinnaswamy can prove to be a blessing in disguise for RCB. They got Spinners of all the varieties, huge number of All-Rounders and proper spin bashers who can contribute during the middle overs. There is a guy Suyash Prabhudessai, whom I'm very excited to see. His range is unbelievably good and can finish games very well. If the management use all these players well we can hope for a very good season ahead for RCB. As we are going through a time where new players are coming and performing everywhere. Same way I would like to see new heroes emerging for RCB this season. RJVV:- As we know now that Joshua Philippe has pulled out of the Season and the big-hitting Finn Allen has been brought in to the squad as his replacement. How do you see the move? Kaushik:- I think it was fair enough to see a like to like replacement. But maybe they could have tried for someone who can give them the option to bowl in the death overs. But anyway as I said they are backing their plans, they are just continuing with a young wk batsman in Finn Allen. He did well in the Super Smash and in the debut Series for the Kiwis as well. Really excited to see him play in the red and gold. RJVV:- RCB, as You said have had the Middle Order issue where there isn't proper support for VK and AB, So understandably they have gone for the most known name in the form of Maxwell at a very heavy price, Understandable since it is a Mini Auction. So are you hopeful of Maxwell to provide the extra Impetus in the Middle Overs? Kaushik:- Yes. Maxwell is the best option RCB took to solve the middle overs problem. The thing is where he is going to play. It really depends on the position of Maxwell. If AB doesn't bat at 3, then Maxi should bat at 3 or 4, Not at 5, because AB is a better man to finish at the death overs against pace. Maxwell can look over the middle overs helping Virat who is likely to open. And even if AB bat at 3 then Maxi should not bat below 4. His range against spinners should really solve the problems of RCB during middle overs. And an added advantage he is contributing with the ball as well. RJVV:- Yep, I feel Maxi should come between VK and AB. RJVV:- Now coming to another Big buy RCB made, Kyle Jamieson, someone who until now hasn't shown his abilities in T20s. Considering RCB needed Death Bowlers, How do you see the buy? Kaushik:- Considering RCB's weakness in death bowling I definitely wanted them to go for a better bowler who can manage to bowl in the death overs. They left Morris and again wanted him till 10cr. It was beyond understanding. And they went 15 cr for Jamieson as well. I don't know what plan they have for him. But now as he is here. I'm excited how management will use him. In my XI he will play some games considering the conditions and venues. But it will be very important to see what role he is going to play for RCB. I heard he has been working on his yorker and his performance with the new ball is already very impressive. If he somehow manages to include some variations like Yorker and slower bouncers, with that height, it is not going to be easy to face him. And most importantly RCB had him in the list. With all other bowlers went sold, they had no option but to buy Jamieson and they backed their plans. We know how MS Dhoni always backs his plan and believes in the process. That's why he was the most successful. Maybe the fans are not happy but if Hesson and RCB got proper plans about Jamieson I would like to see them back their plans. RJVV:- Yep, Continuity in the Plans will surely help than chopping and changing. RJVV:- Daniel Christian's role in the Team? Do you see him starting in the XI straightaway? Kaushik:- Daniel Christian is playing all the games for me. He has been in terrific form with both the bat and ball. RCB possess huge number of All-rounders this season and this is the biggest strength I see in RCB this year. He is the perfect guy to help AB in finishing the games. And bowl some overs in the middle overs and death overs. Daniel Christian was the best buy from RCB in the auction. And another thing is that he is carrying a lot of luck to the team this time. He has won almost all the league titles around the globe. RJVV:- RCB have brought in a lot of Youngsters this Year as you have said, Especially Rajat Patidar, Suyash Prabhudessai etc, Do you see them getting opportunities? Kaushik:- Yes, I do see them getting opportunities this season. Azar, Suyash, Patidar, Baby... Any 2 of them should play 14 games. These Indian picks were one the best things for RCB in the Auction, and we saw the scouting team was very happy after the Auction. Also, if the foreign picks doesn't work then these Indian local picks would definitely deserve a go. Especially I see Patidar and Suyash getting more games considering both are very dynamic players. RJVV:- Yep, Some great work done in picking local players this Year. RJVV:- So your Preferred RCB Playing XI? Kaushik:- My Playing XI:- Virat Kohli Devdutt Padikkal Glenn Maxwell✈️ AB de Villiers✈️ Rajat Patidar or Suyash Prabhudessai Dan Christian✈️ Kyle Jamieson✈️ or Daniel Sams✈️ Shahbaz Washington Sundar Yuzvendra Chahal Navdeep Saini With so many options I can definitely rotate the players according to conditions. In Chennai, I would like to have all the three spinners. At the Eden Gardens, I think Kyle Jamieson will come good. RJVV:- So, What are Your Expectations from RCB this Season? Kaushik:- Well, I don't have any big expectations from them. I will just try to enjoy the cricket this season and would surely like to watch the newcomers. I just like them to entertain us just the way they have been doing. For example: one or two Virat's centuries, AB-Maxi carnage. And of course, would like to see them defending totals against all odds. So, hopefully, a pretty good season with good cricket irrespective of the positions they finish. RJVV:- That's a great way to approach a New Season, Best of Luck to RCB. RJVV:- Thank You Kaushik Bhai for joining me for such a session, Was great to talk to you about RCB. Kaushik:- Thanks for having me here Raju Bhai. Keep doing what you love and all the best to every team in IPL. Hopefully a better finish than last year. RJVV:- So that Concludes our Second Episode of ChatteR Views, Hope all of you enjoyed reading it. We have tried to cover everything as possible about RCB. Pre Season Reviews of other Teams will be posted soon. Follow Kaushik on Twitter:- @_CricKaushik_ Thanks to Sanjay Bhai for allowing to embed his Tweets, Follow Sanjay on Twitter:- @BujjukBujjuk Follow Me on Twitter:- @RJVV55

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