The 2025 Indian Premier League season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) starts out on the road. Their next match is in Chennai, where teams have relied on spin to win, and their tournament opener is in Kolkata. If RCB wants to have a great season, their spinners will be essential, but do they have enough firepower in that area to start the season off right?
They have a seasoned left-arm orthodox spinner in Krunal Pandya, but he is categorized as a defensive bowler due to his IPL economy of 7.36 and average of 34.28. There are benefits to being a great defensive bowler, particularly for a team like RCB that will likely play seven home games at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He was a top target for RCB during the auction because of his skill, and at INR 5.75 crore, he is a good value. That’s about it, though.
Liam Livingstone is a part-time player, Suyash Sharma, a wristspinner, is still a rookie in the Indian Premier League, and Mohit Rathee, his understudy, is a little-known. Jacob Bethell might also have a bowl, and Swapnil Singh performed admirably last season, but a quick look at every squad indicates that RCB lacks bite in that area.
For the first time since 2008, the IPL spectacle begins with KKR vs. RCB.
Andy Flower, the head coach, acknowledged that some were apprehensive about RCB’s spin unit ahead of the season, but he is “comfortable” with the scenario because of Krunal’s experience, the wristspinners’ potential, and the option Livingstone offers.
Flower remarked, “It’s a really good and apt question to ask,” just before RCB’s debut match at Eden Gardens. “Krunal played a big role in the auction as one of our targeted players. In addition to being a brave and intelligent cricket player, he also has leadership experience. He’s a streetwise operator with his nous, and as a left-arm spinner, let alone an all-rounder, he clearly has class. Having it in our organization and setting the standard in the spin area is reassuring.
After making a strong debut in 2023, Suyash has only participated in 13 IPL games in two seasons, with just two chances in 2024. He had the benefit of being mentored by seasoned mystery spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine at KKR, and he is currently playing the lead at RCB. Flower stated that expectations should be moderated because he is aware that Suyash won’t be “a Shane Warne” at this time.
“Suyash is a very promising young player with little experience who has a tremendously high ceiling in wristspin. Flower added, “And Mohit Rathee to support him.” We want Suyash to do well, but none of us can predict exactly how he will do over the course of an entire IPL season. And that’s how all young players begin.
“He recently had groin surgery, and his recovery is going great. We discovered that he has had that injury issue for a long time throughout the off-season. We have high expectations for him. However, we also don’t anticipate him being Shane Warne right away.
Additionally, RCB has given him some excellent care and attention.
“We must exercise patience and allow him to grow from his mistakes. It’s also beneficial that he has a captain he can work with and these seasoned cricket players nearby. To support them, Swapnil Singh clearly performed well for us the previous year. and Liam Livingstone performs a variety of tasks. It’s a good insurance to have him as a backup in the spin department. Thus, we feel at ease in our current location.
The fast-bowling stocks of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, and Rasikh Salam show great promise despite RCB’s alleged spin-bowling problems. Flower believed they had a fast-bowling squad with enough leaders to relieve new skipper Rajat Patidar of some of the load since they had a balance between veteran seamers and in-form quicks.
“I believe that having powerful individuals in your team who have excelled at the highest level naturally instills confidence in them. The fact that they have already achieved success at the highest level gives you confidence, and many of our people have done so.
We have Hazlewood, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar], Yash, and Krunal in our bowling attack, for example, and even Yash has some excellent experience now. He has a nice head on his shoulders and is rather composed. In terms of strategy and judgment, those four men will essentially be leading themselves.”
Despite their difficult start to the season, Flower sees RCB’s early games against good opponents as a plus. Flower responded, “Yes, it is very daunting,” when asked if it was intimidating to take on the reigning champs first. For the KKR!
“I’m hoping tomorrow night is an El-Clasico. That will be a fantastic way to begin the 2025 IPL.
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