Former England captain Michael Vaughan thinks that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have enough firepower to get into the IPL 2023 playoffs.
He suggested that the Bangalore-based team’s lineup will benefit greatly from having several experienced campaigners. Given that RCB are back playing at M. Chinnaswamy, which has been their fortress, Vaughan suggested that they have a good chance of winning their first IPL trophy.
The cricketer-turned-observer brought up that Reece Topley’s physical issue could be a worry for the Imperial Challengers. However, he emphasized that they have a powerful team and that this may be their year.
Vaughan said the following about RCB during a Cricbuzz discussion:
“I think Bangalore will win the IPL one day. They can do it, and they have enough experience to back it up. I think Reece Topley will be a major miss. That shoulder injury appears to be severe.”
“However, they undoubtedly possess the players and experience. Yet, as we probably are aware from history, that doesn’t take you the entire way to winning a prize, yet unquestionably now they’re once again at home, and that ground is a particularly incredible ground for them, and they know how to play there. They will undoubtedly reach the top four, and after that, who knows what will transpire.”
In particular, Topley suffered a dislocated shoulder when he dived while fielding in RCB’s opening match against Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 2 in Bangalore.
MI was defeated by RCB by 8 wickets
After only bowling two overs, the left-arm pacer removed Cameron Green, taking the crucial wicket.
Faf du Plessis, the captain of RCB, won the toss and chose to field first, resulting in a comprehensive 8-wicket victory over MI. The bowlers sent MI’s top-order superstars packing early, enabling Bangalore to get off to a perfect start.
Left-gave player Tilkar Varma was the main redeeming quality for Mumbai. At 84, the talented youngster maintained his unbeaten streak, bringing his team’s score to 171, which is competitive.
In response, RCB’s openers Virat Kohli and Du Plessis orchestrated a phenomenal 148-run opening stand that propelled them to the lead.
While the captain was excused after a very much made 73, Kohli stayed unconquered at 82 as Bangalore pursued down the objective in 16.2 overs with eight wickets in excess.
At Eden Gardens on April 6, Du Plessis and Co. will now face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).