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Why Investing in England Players Could Backfire in IPL 2025
The excitement for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is at an all-time high as fans eagerly await another thrilling season. However, questions are already being raised about some key signings, particularly those made by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The franchise invested heavily in England stars Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell, hoping for impactful performances. However, their recent outings in the India vs England T20I series have raised serious doubts.
RCB’s decision to rope in these players looked like a masterstroke on paper, but their struggles in the recently concluded T20I series suggest otherwise. Let’s analyze why signing England players could turn out to be a major blunder for RCB in the upcoming IPL season.
England Players’ Weakness Against Spin Could Hurt RCB
Indian Conditions Favor Spin—A Nightmare for England Batters
One of the most glaring issues with England’s batting lineup is their struggles against quality spin bowling. This weakness was brutally exposed during the India vs England T20I series, where Indian spinners dominated the visitors. Notably, Varun Chakravarthy picked up 14 wickets in the series, making the England batters his easy prey.
The RCB trio—Salt, Livingstone, and Bethell—also found it difficult to counter India’s spinners. This is concerning because the IPL pitches, especially in venues like Chennai, Kolkata, and Jaipur, tend to favor spin bowling. Opposition teams will undoubtedly look to exploit this vulnerability, making it challenging for these English recruits to score runs consistently.
Furthermore, Jacob Bethell lacks experience playing on Indian pitches, making his adaptability even more questionable. If he fails to adjust quickly, he might become a liability in RCB’s middle order.
England Trio’s Inconsistency—A Major Concern for RCB
Salt and Livingstone—Brilliant Yet Unreliable
Consistency has always been a concern for RCB, and signing players who also lack reliability could spell disaster. Despite their undeniable talent, England’s T20 players often deliver in patches rather than maintaining form throughout a tournament.
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Phil Salt struggled in the first four T20Is against India but played well in the dead rubber, raising questions about his ability to perform under pressure.
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Liam Livingstone, known for his explosive batting, had just one impactful innings in the series and remained ineffective in the other games.
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Jacob Bethell, while promising, is still relatively inexperienced at this level and could take time to adjust to the high-intensity nature of the IPL.
RCB has suffered from similar inconsistency in previous IPL seasons, and relying on such players might only add to their woes. If the English trio fails to deliver consistently, RCB could once again struggle to break their trophy drought.
RCB’s IPL 2025 Hopes Hang in the Balance
With IPL 2025 fast approaching, RCB must ensure they have contingency plans in place. While their English signings have immense potential, their recent performances suggest that over-reliance on them might not be the best strategy.
Instead, RCB should focus on utilizing experienced Indian players and impact overseas stars who are more accustomed to Indian conditions. The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis will play a crucial role in ensuring the team doesn’t suffer if Salt, Livingstone, or Bethell fail to fire.
Read More: Can RCB Finally Break Their IPL Jinx in 2025?
While RCB’s decision to sign England players seemed like a strategic move, recent performances indicate it could backfire. Spin vulnerability and inconsistency are two major issues that might haunt the team in IPL 2025. With the season just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how RCB manages these challenges and whether their English recruits can step up when it matters most.
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