The problem of plenty has led to plenty of problems for some sides in the DLF-IPL III. And the team worst affected in this regard has been Royal Challengers Bangalore.
With so many foreign players — all match-winners in their own right — in its ranks, the Bangalore outfit's royal challenge has been finding the right combination. Too much chopping and changing doesn't do any good either to the players or the team, and this has been reflected in Royal Challengers' dramatic slump after a dazzling start.
Considering the constant travel and gruelling schedule, it's important to have a solid bench-strength as this will provide the players a chance to put their feet up once in a while. However, this can prove counter-productive if they are not given a decent run.
No luxury
As it is, the Twenty20 format doesn't offer the luxury of settling down — either to the batsmen or bowlers — and this will only get exacerbated if the players are not allowed time to find their rhythm.
Given the cap on the number of overseas players a side can field — four — Anil Kumble has had a difficult time in pinning down the final XI. When one has to choose between the likes of Jacques Kallis, Kevin Pietersen, Cameron White, Ross Taylor, Eoin Morgan, Mark Boucher, Roelof van der Merwe and Dale Steyn, it is an unenviable task indeed.
Except Kallis, who is an automatic choice given his all-round credentials, the others have been in and out of the side. The overseas players may have probably got the feeling that getting into their national teams is easier than finding a place in their IPL side!
The shrewd skipper that he is, Kumble would have realised by now that a settled look for the team was far more important than pleasing individuals with a merry-go-round policy.
Bold decisions
It's time to take bold decisions; otherwise, Royal Challengers faces the threat of being consumed by its own minefield of riches.
The other team which faces a similar situation, though not of the same magnitude, is Deccan Chargers. For Chargers, captain Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds fill up two spots, making it a tough fight for the other two vacancies. Consequently, team balance and team results have taken a beating for the defending champion.
Possibly, the only side which has stuck to its foreign guns is Mumbai Indians, where Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Lasith Malinga have all had a long run. Though the two West Indians are yet to settle down and do justice to their roles, the team has enjoyed a settled look.
Mumbai Indians has used its riches wisely, benefiting by it instead of getting swamped by it.
