Bengaluru, one of the most celebrated teams in the Indian T20 League, is yet to clinch the trophy despite their massive popularity and exceptional performances.
The team, captained by Faf du Plessis since 2021, has seen its share of ups and downs, with the 2023 season ending in a disappointing sixth place on the points table, leading to the exit of key players like Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel.
Heading into the auction 2024 season, Bengaluru made significant acquisitions at the 2024 auction, bringing in Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, and Saurav Chauhan to bolster their squad.
Let’s take a detailed look at Bengaluru’s strengths, weaknesses, last season’s struggles and measures to counter them, internal competition, and players to watch out for.
Bengaluru Strengths
Formidable Top Order:
Bengaluru's batting has always been their stronghold, and it remains so with the likes of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis opening the innings. Their ability to build innings and stay at the crease till the end allows the team to post competitive totals consistently.
Strong Middle Order:
The team's middle order, featuring Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, and newly traded Cameron Green, is among one of the most formidable in the 2024 edition. Patidar's stability along with the explosive power of Maxwell and Green makes Bengaluru's batting lineup one of the most dangerous in the tournament.
Bengaluru Weaknesses
Weak Bowling:
The departure of key bowlers and the acquisition of Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, and Lockie Ferguson aim to strengthen the pace attack but bring their own set of challenges. These bowlers have had inconsistent performances in the past, and their ability to deliver under pressure for Bengaluru remains a question. The team heavily relies on Mohammed Siraj but the new additions need to step up to create a more dependable bowling unit.
Unreliable Wicket-Keeper-Batters:
Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat struggled with the bat last season. Their form will be crucial for Bengaluru's success, as the team needs contributions from every player.
Bengaluru's Struggles Last Season and Counter Strategies
Finishing sixth with an equal number of wins (7) and losses, Bengaluru's 2023 campaign was marred by inconsistent performances, especially in the bowling department and the middle order. The team will hope for improved performances from the newly included bowlers and seek more reliability from their middle order to support the top-order runs.
Competition for Spots
With the inclusion of new players, competition for spots in the playing XI is fierce. The battle for the wicket-keeper position between Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat, and the competition among the pacers—Joseph, Ferguson, and Curran —will be interesting to watch. Additionally, the spin department will see a contest between Karn Sharma and Mayank Dagar.
Players to Watch
International Stars:
Captain Faf du Plessis not only provides stability at the top but also brings invaluable leadership qualities as the team captain. Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, known for their game-changing innings, add explosiveness to the middle order. Meanwhile, Bengaluru’s latest buy, Lockie Ferguson, with his blistering pace, is another player to watch.
Emerging Talents:
Rajat Patidar, who is now a capped player and has already shown promise, is expected to bolster the middle order with his reliable batting. Yash Dayal, who was bought by Bengaluru at the 2024 auction, offers the potential for impactful performances with his ability to swing the ball. Additionally, Anuj Rawat has the opportunity to prove his mettle on the big stage. These three players’ potential and recent form in domestic cricket makes them the players to watch out for.
FanCraze Fast Facts
- Bengaluru has the tournament’s highest team total of 263/5 against Pune in 2013.
- Bengaluru has the most centuries in the competition by any team, with 17 tons.
- Bengaluru also holds the record for the lowest team total, scoring just 49 against Kolkata in 2017.
Bengaluru Squad for 2024 Season:
Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan.
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