If I was in the RCB Dressing Room, my comments would be as follows on getting knocked out of IPL 2013 Play-Offs:
1. Too much reliance on batting superstars:
Apart from Gayle, Kohli and DeVilliers I can't recollect any other batsmen in the team. That means, while these three score heavily and quickly most of the time, the real problem starts when they fail. When they fail, the others have neither the exposure nor confidence to take the team through.
Maybe, rotating the other lot in batting order and giving them few opportunities should do the trick.
2. Inability to play percentage cricket and hence finish-off tight games:
While playing exciting cricket is good for box-office, it is not enough to win games. Scoring 250+ is great but you can't do that in every game.
Hence, the basic approach of doing as Dhoni says 'little things correct' should do the trick.
3. No bowling-pack leader:
Apart from Zaheer Khan in the last 2 games, I honestly can't recollect a single bowler from RCB even though I watched their 12/16 games on the TV.
Spending the budget evenly on bowlers and batsmen along with all-rounders should do the trick even if they have to sell Gayle in the next season to achieve that.
4. Inexperienced Captain:
A Captain should be more than a batsman or bowler. He should not just lead the team on the field but also outside of it. That comes from presence, cool-head and experience. Unfortunately, the talented and young but intense Kohli lacks that at this stage of his career.
For the next couple fo seasons, DeVilliers should take charge of the team and by then if Kohli learns the ropes and tricks, he can ease into the Captaincy Role.
Regards,
Pradeep Kabra