IPL 2020: 3 decisions that Royal Challengers Bangalore should be wary of making

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League is scheduled to start on the 29th of March, which means we are not far away from the beginning of India's biggest sporting festival. The squad analysis and ratings have already started as we approach the month of March.

Royal Challengers Bangalore is a side that has developed a habit of underperforming in the IPL. But the Virat Kohli led side would be hoping to give an improved showing this year, having made some good additions to their squad in the 2020 auctions. The biggest ones of those are Chris Morris, Dale Steyn and Aaron Finch.

Simon Katich and Mike Hesson have also been added to the team management, and Kohli would be hoping that they bring some much-needed luck with them.

The problem with RCB has always been that they never really find the right combination in their playing XI, thanks to some strange decisions being taken by the captain and the team management.

Here, we shall take a look at some of those bizarre decisions that RCB are likely to make this year, based on past precedent, and which could hurt their chances of lifting the trophy.

1. Virat Kohli not opening the batting

Virat Kohli might not open the batting

This has been a topic of debate among the cricketing fraternity for a while now. Virat Kohli has had his best seasons in the IPL as an opener, and it's tough to see any reason why he should bat at number three for RCB.

Also see – Indian Premier League 2020 schedule

But because the Bengaluru franchise signed Aaron Finch in the auctions, there's a chance that Kohli might bat in the middle order.

The theory could be that pushing Kohli down would add some balance to this RCB side. Finch can bat down the order, but he is way less effective at number three or number four. But even though this would be a tempting decision for RCB, they should avoid making it since Kohli is at his most effective when he gets maximum overs to face.

2. Pawan Negi being preferred to Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar, for some reason, has found it difficult to break into the RCB team

This was a decision that baffled many last season, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if Virat Kohli again decides to go with Pawan Negi ahead of Washington Sundar at the start of IPL 2020. Negi is someone who can bowl a couple of overs, he is absolutely brilliant in the field, and he can also smash the ball long.

Sundar, on the other hand, is more of a bowling all-rounder, which means he can bowl four overs without question. He is not as good as Negi in terms of batting and fielding, but what RCB needed last season and what they need this season is a quality bowling attack.

RCB should ideally play Sundar from the very start, but they are just as likely to continue putting their misplaced faith in Negi.

3. Gurkeerat Mann Singh not being given the 'finisher' role

Gurkeerat Mann Singh made his opportunities count last season

This would be a very big decision, since the type of pressure one feels as a finisher cannot be compared with anything else in cricket.

Last season, during the closing stages, we saw a glimpse of what Gurkeerat Mann Singh could do at the number six or number seven position as he played some great knocks for RCB. Based on that, it would be ideal if Gurkeerat takes up the mantle of being the finisher in the team. That would allow the likes of Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to play their natural game.

He will also have some support from Chris Morris or Moeen Ali, so Gurkeerat being RCB's full-time number six this year makes a lot of sense. But given RCB's bizarre decision-making in the past, they may well opt to send him higher up the order.