IPL 2019: 3 major problems for RCB this season and the solutions they can implement

After years of underwhelming displays, many believed IPL 2019 would be the edition when Royal Challengers Bangalore would finally break their title curse. However, it has been another astonishingly hapless start for RCB with three back-to-back defeats banishing them to the bottom of the points table.

They have struggled both with both bat and ball, and skipper Virat Kohli is himself struggling to perform with the bat. Apart from a 32-ball 46 in RCB's second match against Mumbai Indians, the lead batsman has endured scores of 6 and 3 in his other two outings.

On Sunday, RCB were absolutely destroyed by Sunrisers Hyderabad, losing the match by a mountainous 118 runs as Jonny Bairstow and David Warner ran riot at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. It was a third straight disappointment for Kohli's side who, along with Rajasthan Royals, are the only two teams to not yet register a win in IPL 2019.

On that note, here is a look at RCB's three biggest problem areas and the solutions they can implement for each:

---

#3 Opening slot

RCB have gone with three different opening pairs in their three matches so far. Parthiv Patel has been the only one constant; alongside him Shimron Hetmyer, Kohli and Moeen Ali have all tried their hand, but with very little success.

At the beginning of the season RCB decided to release Quinton de Kock and Mandeep Singh, but failed to buy suitable replacements for either. They now find themselves in serious trouble with no specialist opener except Patel in their squad.

So far RCB have managed only 16, 27 and 13 runs as their opening partnership, which has probably been the root of their batting quandary.

Solution:

RCB can look for an eclectic solution and try to send Shivam Dube, the guy who is said to love hitting sixes, at the top as a pinch hitter. The Mumbaikar has a strike rate of 141 in domestic T20 cricket, which is enough to show how fiery he can be at the top.

Dube's turbo-charged batting alongside Parthiv's experience will help them set a foundation for Kohli and De Villiers to exploit. However, the team management must give ample time to anyone they send at the top and not expect overnight results.

#2 The second spinner

Washington Sundar: A possible second spinner

RCB went with Moeen Ali, a spinning all-rounder and Yuzvendra Chahal, a specialist spinner for the first two matches. In their last match, they chose to go with a third spinner Prayas Ray Barman, a 16-year-old, but without much success; the young Barman went for 56 runs off his 4 overs, surrendering to David Warner and Jonny Bairstow's lethal batting.

In the three matches so far, Chahal and Ali have gone for 149 runs combined, picking up seven wickets - with Ali collecting just one. It's time for the management to think beyond Ali and get someone else in his place, who can offer more with the ball.

Solution:

RCB can play Washington Sundar, a genuinely talented player, either in place of Ali or as a third spinner. The Tamil Nadu born player has 74 runs and 12 wickets in 18 matches in the IPL.

Sundar can bowl in the power plays as well as at the death, providing RCB with a versatile bowling option. His batting prowess will also provide RCB with some depth in the lower middle order.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL orange cap, points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap and fantasy tips.

#1 The pace department

Tim Southee has not been

utilised

by RCB this season

RCB's pace unit has probably been the poorest of all teams this season. They went with the Umesh-Siraj-Saini combination in their first two matches but the statistics were quite abysmal as the trio went for 146 runs while picking up 5 wickets.

Navdeep Saini was then dropped for the game versus SRH and Siraj-Umesh went for 85 runs, failing to pick a single wicket.

In order to make their pace department more potent, RCB need to look at their overseas speedsters who have some pretty good IPL statistics.

Solution:

RCB must play either Tim Southee or Nathan Coulter-Nile as their third pacer, as either of them can provide RCB with some stability in the pace department. Both are equally good death bowlers as well, and can prevent RCB from leaking runs towards the end.

Southee has 27 wickets from 38 matches in his IPL career and his Australian counterpart has 36 scalps from 26 matches. Adding either of them to their starting lineup might help RCB overcome their terrible form.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL purple cap, points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap and fantasy tips.