IPL 2026: Virat Kohli is scoring faster than ever — so why are RCB struggling?
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) need to fix several issues quickly as they try to keep their IPL 2026 title defence on track after a worrying dip in form midway through the season. Their upcoming clash against Mumbai Indians in Raipur has become important for the Red and Gold side after back-to-back defeats against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. RCB are currently fourth on the points table with six wins and four losses, and their remaining four matches could decide how their season unfolds.
One major concern has been the drop in performance from the middle order. RCB had started the season strongly with a settled top three of Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. They also had plenty of batting options in captain Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Tim David.
In the first five matches, RCB batters from No. 4 to No. 8 averaged 39.
30 and scored at a strike rate of 190. 77, both the best among all teams. They scored two fifties while hitting 23 fours and 33 sixes.
But in the next five matches, the numbers dropped sharply. The average fell to 21, the worst among all teams in that period, while the strike rate dropped to 148. 58.
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