A Gaylestorm not enough for RCB to win the IPL

RCB Storyline

Royal Challengers Bangalore, in spite of Chris Gayle in their team since 2011 have not won any trophy. Let us analyse what went wrong in each season since Gayle joined RCB.

IPL 2011: Perfection until the end

Below is the summary of matches lost by RCB with Gayle in the team.

This shows RCB lost all the matches when Gayle scored in single digits. Though, they had ranked 1 in the league stage, they went on to lose the 1^st qualifier and the finals, coincidentally both against CSK.

IPL 2012: AB low scores hurt RCB 

The otherwise consistent AB DeVilliers, proved to be huge factor this season for RCB.

Gayle and AB averages

Gayle was consistent in bagging the Orange cap for the 2^nd year in the running (2011 and 2012). Although AB’s average dropped significantly for all the lost games giving an indication of AB’s contribution to RCB’s success in the 2012 season.
 
There was a match in the 2012 season where RCB played CSK and could not defend 205. The 28 run penultimate over in that match made sure Kohli never bowled for RCB thereafter. Unfortunately, RCB in spite of being tied with CSK on points could not go through the qualifiers due to net run rate.

IPL 2013: Losing most of the away games proved costly

Away games in 2013 season proved costly for RCB

Rajasthan Royals have a phenomenal win record at Jaipur, which is now their fortress. The teams which manage to have a fortress and manage to win a few away games, always have an upper hand to reach qualifiers. But in 2013 season, RCB lost 6 out of their 8 away matches. In the span of 2008-2012, cumulatively, 50% matches were won away where interestingly, Gayle and AB both have healthy averages.

IPL 2014: Doubts and more doubts

Trend of Average 1st innings and 2nd innings score

The three consecutive losses is certainly is not helping this year’s campaign. 70 all out against RR would have raised eye brows as it is the only instance when a team has scored less than 100, since IPL 2011. A steep decline in the average 1^st innings score is quite a downfall for batsman dependent RCB. With Gayle just back in the last match, RCB would be hopeful of a better performance form the team in the upcoming matches in India.


Data Courtesy: ESPN Cricinfo

Article  Published: Cricket 361°: A Gaylestorm not enough for RCB to win the IPL