Back from the brink: How RCB turned their fortunes around | Cricket News - Times of India

Source: The Times of India
Author: Manuja Veerappa

BENGALURU: Years ago, Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, ever hopeful of their team winning the Indian Premier League title despite seemingly forever being on the brink, came up with the catchline, 'Ee sala Cup namde!' (The cup is ours this time). The wait for the trophy, though, has stretched 17 seasons and the catchline has been a subject of much mockery and jeers.

This season, RCB changed Bangalore in their name to Bengaluru and the catchline changed to 'Hosa adhyaya' (A new beginning).But with one win in eight matches at one stage, it seemed pretty much like the RCB of old. Then that famous turnaround happened with Faf du Plessis and his men notching up win after win to make the playoffs.

TOI looks at the six factors that worked for RCB...

PATIDAR PACKS A PUNCH

Handed a clear role and a consistent slot, Rajat Patidar has come into his own. With five half-centuries and a strike rate touching 180, Patidar has filled the vacuum for an Indian batter other than Kohli. He has accelerated consistently, and the standout feature has been his six-hitting abilities.

VIRAT KOHLI'S FORM

Virat Kohli has struck a purple patch and has donned the Orange Cap for the better part of the season. Yet, when the team's chips were down, his strike rate and not his performance was the talking point. Kohli has amassed 708 runs this season with a century and five half-centuries at a strike rate of 155.60.

THE FOREIGN FLAVOUR

A stumbling Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell with a cold bat, and the indifferent form of Recee Topley, Will Jacks and Cameron Green were a major worry for RCB. But in the second half of the season, Jacks raised the tempo with the bat and Green filled the role of an all-rounder with aplomb.

FAF FACTOR

Du Plessis is among a few in the RCB dugout who knows what it feels like to lift the IPL trophy. He has done that twice with Chennai Super Kings. The 38-year-old can hand a lesson or two in soaking up the pressure and delivering when it matters. After Kohli's exit on Saturday night, on a wicket made tricky by the dampness, the South African brought all his experience to the fore and his 54 proved to be a clincher.

BOWLERS COME TO THE PARTY

Bowling has often proved to be RCB's Achilles' heel. It was the case in the first half of the season. But in the latter half, discipline and precision have been the key. The foreign pacers like Green and Lockie Ferguson have complemented the efforts of Mohd Siraj and Yash Dayal, while a returning Maxwell and Swapnil Singh have fortified the undercooked spin attack.

CATCHES WIN MATCHES

Fielding at mid-off, Du Plessis plucked a one-hand stunner to dismiss CSK's Mitchell Santner off Siraj's bowling on Saturday night. This was one of the instances of RCB's sharp fielding in a season where dropped catches have been the norm. The likes of Du Plessis, Maxwell and Kohli have made up for the shortcomings of a few others.