Royal Challengers Bangalore are unbeaten in IPL 2021 with 4 wins in 4 matches. After mastering the Chepauk challenge, RCB made a mockery of the 181-runs target at Wankhede in their last match. Two weeks into the league and RCB have emerged as the new favorites to win IPL 2021.
IPL Winner Odds
Before the season kicked off, the odds for RCB in the outright winner market were 5.70. Betway has now priced Kohli’s team at 3.60 odds to win IPL 2021 title. The increased confidence in RCB among online bookies is due to the rise of match-winning players in the team. Bangalore have finally managed to go beyond the Kohli-AB de Villiers show. They are also the top favourites to reach the final at odds of 1.90 in the betting market.
Paddikal’s rise and rise in IPL
In 2020, RCB found a gem of an opener in Devdutt Padikkal, who was also the top run-scorer for the team. The 20-year old uncapped opener scored his first IPL hundred while leading his side to a 10-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.
Maxwell living up to his price tag
Bangalore managed to score a 200+ total at Chepauk where the rest of the teams have struggled to score a decent total. Maxwell and AB de Villiers’ heroics at number 4 and 5 led RCB from 9-2 in the 2nd Over to 204 in 20 Overs. The Australian all-rounder averages 58.66 so far and is striking at 149.15 with 2 half-centuries to his name.
Bowling attack – the last piece in the puzzle
Though the batting lineup features some of the biggest names in T20 cricket, it is the local players leading the bowling attack for RCB. Mohammad Siraj is Kohli’s best bet in the powerplay to give them the early breakthrough. Whereas, Harshal Patel, the purple cap holder, is the key bowler in the death overs. These names may not be as big as Boult-Bumrah but have surely delivered for their side.