'RCB will have to fix this loophole...': Irfan Pathan criticises India star for poor batting at IPL 2023

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before travelling to Lucknow had suffered a humiliating loss against Kolkat Knight Riders (KKR) at home. The Red and Gold side is heavily relied on their top order of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell, but the question arises when these three fail to perform them who will rise to the occassion. 

In fact last season hero Dinesh Karthik has also not been able to perfom this year - be it with the bat or even with the gloves.

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that RCB appears to be dependent on its top three batsmen and none of their Indian players have produced, which is troubling.

Speaking on Star Sports' Cricket Live, Irfan Pathan said, "RCB will have to find a solution that if KGF (Kohli, Glenn, Faf) do not work then who will steer the team through troubled waters. Whether Dinesh Karthik or Mahipal Lomror. RCB's middle order looks very weak. Karthik could not prove even once in the last 8 matches that the team can rely on him for big scores or during chases. RCB management will have to fix this loophole in their batting."

Meanwhile, for the remainder of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), RCB on Monday announced Kedar Jadhav as David Willey's replacement. The English all-rounder Willey played for RCB in four games this year and took three wickets.

As for Jadhav, he made his IPL debut in 2010, and played in 93 IPL games, amassing 1196 runs. The right-handed batter, who had previously played for RCB in 17 games, was signed on for INR 1 crore.