RCB vs LSG: Will Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bring in Ferguson or Topley For Joseph in IPL 2024 Match 15?

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After two defeats in three matches in IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru may ring in a few changes to their playing 11 for clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday (April 2).

RCB have stuck to their combination in the opening three matches with Alzarri Joseph, a Rs 11.50 Crore buy in the auction, given a long rope despite poor performances. The West Indies pacer has claimed just 1 wicket and conceded 115 runs in 9.4 overs across the three games.

The 27-year-old, who was released by Gujarat Titans ahead of the auction, went wicketless on his debut for RCB, finishing with figures of 0 for 38 in 3.4 overs against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, prompting calls for his exclusion.

But the RCB management persisted with the speedster in the second match against Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he claimed his only wicket and gave away 43 runs in his allotted 4 overs.

Due to his huge price tag, RCB retained Joseph in the playing 11 despite the availablity of several other pace-bowling options. And that call further backfired as the West Indian went for 34 runs in 2 overs against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru.

As RCB play their third home game, here we take a look if the Bengaluru-based side may finally pull the trigger on the speedster from Antigua and bring in a like-for-like replacement or go a different route for the playing 11 against LSG:

Will RCB bring in Ferguson or Topley for Joseph against LSG in IPL 2024 Match 15?

England pacer Reece Topley played in only one match for RCB last season before he picked up an injury that saw him being ruled out for rest of the season. The lanky pacer, however, is fit and available if RCB want to bring him into the playing 11.

New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson, another buy from the 2024 auction, is also fit and available as a near like-for-like replacement for Joseph, but the Kiwi can also bowl the slower ones and off-cutters compared to the West Indies quick.

However, RCB may look at another option to replace Joseph. Andy Flower and Co may look at Indian options like Vyshak Vijaykumar and Akash Deep to play alongside Mohammed Siraj as the all-Indian pace attack with an overseas batting option to come into the 11.

RCB has one of the best T20 batters in their squad in the form of Will Jacks, who could come into the team as a spin-bowling all-rounder and open the batting to provide a fast start in the powerplay.

Jacks could also roll his arm over like a Glenn Maxwell. So, RCB could use him against the likes of Nicholas Pooran, who could be dangerous against the left-arm spinner in Mayank Dagar or the leg-spinner in Karn Sharma.

But the Bengaluru-based side may stick to their guns and, continue with Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis combination in the opening slot, and also give Joseph another chance over the other options.

The best possible team for RCB vs LSG would be with an all-Indian pace attack and a stronger batting unit as RCB has always banked on their batting to win matches than their bowling unit. If they get their combination wrong, RCB could be staring at a third loss in four matches.