Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opened up on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s potential challenges for the upcoming Indian Premier League. The reputed commentator noted that Krunal Pandya, who is expected to be part of RCB’s playing XI, sometimes doesn’t even complete his quota of four overs.
RCB had bagged the services of Indian all-rounder for INR 5.25 crore in the IPL mega auction. Furthermore, Suyash Sharma, who is the only frontline spinner for the team, was bought for INR 2.60 crore. Ergo, Chopra reckons the spin department will be the glaring problem for RCB in IPL 2025.
“The glaring problem I see is the spin department. It seemed like they forgot that they had to pick spinners. They have gone a little light in the spin department. You have two spinners, one is Krunal Pandya and the other is Suyash Sharma. It doesn’t give me a lot of confidence,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The cricket analyst highlighted that Krunal Pandya is not the wicket-taking option for RCB.
“Krunal Pandya bowls tight lines with the new ball. However, he doesn’t even bowl four overs every time. He is a competitive and effective player, but he is also an all-rounder. You don’t see him as an out-and-out spinner. He is not your wicket-taking option,” Chopra added.
The renowned commentator said luck is a factor that doesn’t go in RCB’s favor on most occasions.
“Do they run out of luck? Luck is a factor that doesn’t go in their favor, or else if you qualify nine times and reach the final thrice, you lift the trophy at least once or twice. Their women’s team reached the final once and they have a trophy. If you reach the final thrice and don’t lift the trophy even once, you feel things are not great,” he said.
Chopra highlighted that RCB doesn’t have a good home record for both Men and Women’s team.
“Neither their men nor their women have a home-ground advantage. They don’t win as many matches at home as they should. When you see any successful franchise, a lot of times you think whether they play well or not at home. The answer to that question for them is that they don’t play that well at home,” Chopra added.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.
