Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have secured their fifth consecutive victory, leading them into contention for an IPL 2024 playoff spot and elevating them to fifth place on the points table. Yash Dayal, RCB’s pacer, attributed the team’s remarkable turnaround to a positive team environment and an attacking approach to the game.
Despite having the same number of points as RCB, Delhi Capitals (DC) trail them due to a lower net run rate. RCB’s postseason hopes appeared bleak just a month ago, with only one win in eight games. However, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience, dramatically reversing their fortunes with a winning streak.
RCB faced the challenge of being eliminated from the competition if they lost the game. Even after losing captain Faf du Plessis and star batter Virat Kohli early in their innings, Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar mounted an 88-run counter-attack for the third wicket. The team ultimately posted a total of 187 for 9.
“There has been a positive change. Even when we were losing, no one was pointing anyone’s name out. This supportive atmosphere, coupled with a newfound aggressive approach, seems to be the winning formula for RCB,” Dayal said in a post-match press conference.
RCB took control of the chase early on, reducing Capitals to 30 for 4 in four overs. Left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh dismissed David Warner in the first over, followed by Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal’s challenging lines and lengths. Lockie Ferguson’s 2 for 23 helped maintain control in the middle overs, leading RCB to a 47-run victory.
Reflecting on his bowling performance, Dayal credited the team’s coaches, stating, “Credit for this goes to our coaches. Whenever I start bowling, my is just to remove the batter in front of me so that I can save some runs. So this is a very positive sign for the team.”
In the match, DC won the toss and chose to bowl first. RCB posted a total of 187/9 in their 20 overs, thanks to contributions from Patidar (52 in 32 balls), Will Jacks (41 in 29 balls), Cameron Green (32* in 24 balls), and Virat Kohli (27* in 13 balls).
Chasing a target of 188 runs, Delhi found themselves in trouble at 30/4. A 56-run partnership between Shai Hope (29 in 23 balls) and Axar Patel brought DC back into the game. Stand-in captain Axar Patel scored his second half-century of the season, making 57 in 39 balls to keep his team in the hunt. However, RCB’s bowlers maintained control over the run flow and dismissed DC for 140 runs in 19.1 overs, securing a 47-run victory.
With 12 points, RCB now have the opportunity to reach 14 points when they face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday.
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