Retired South African great AB de Villiers believes the squad’s balance looks “10 times better” than past editions and the head-start Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has acquired would help to ease the work moving forward. The club is off to one of its finest beginnings in the IPL.
Under Rajat Patidar, RCB defeated five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs at Chepauk on Friday to win their second consecutive away game. Since the first edition in 2008, it was also RCB’s first victory versus CSK in Chennai.
“The balance of the RCB squad is 10 times better compared to previous seasons,” the Bengaluru franchise loyalist said on his podcast ‘AB de Villiers 360.’
“I mentioned RCB lacking balance during the last year’s (IPL) auction. It’s about having a good balance in IPL teams and alternatives, not about the bowlers, hitters, or fielders,” stated the South African great, who played practically all his IPL with RCB.
De Villiers added, “With India swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar drafted into the side for the CSK game after not finding a place in the opening match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Rider, it’s the depth in options, which makes RCB a formidable side this season.”
“I thought ‘he wasn’t going to play’ when I saw Bhuvi arrive.” You aim for it. You want persons like “wow is this guy the replacement.” Not even in the starting lineup for the first game (against KKR), and now they have Bhuvi Kumar to cover for someone in the second game. Added de Villiers, this is the kind of depth and balance you need on the side.
From whence Kumar never recovered, his vital wicket of the dangerous Deepak Hooda in Power Play left CSK reeling at 3/26, from which they eventually achieved 146/8, chasing 197 for win.
“Wonderful beginning for RCB and truly looks fantastic. We are not entering the domain of “Is this the year (RCB will win the IPL)??”
“But from the results point of view as well as from the way the squad looks and how free they look out there especially playing away from home,” added de Villiers, who last participated in the IPL in 2021 edition.
Against Kolkata and against CSK in Chepauk, both of RCB’s victories this season have been in opponent’s territory; de Villiers stated it was rather remarkable.
“The defending champions, KKR… to beat them away from home at the star of teh campaign, and also CSK whose record at Chepauk is quite amazing. Looking at the points table, the road really gets smoother for RCB from here. Right on top are RCB; only one squad has two wins and a remarkable bet run rate.”
De Villiers remarked that although RCB’s schedule was somewhat demanding, they had shown the courage to handle everything in their stride.
“Although launching a campaign is never easy, they handled it exactly right. See that ‘away, away, now they return home. Then they are away once more, home, away home, insane. The South African said, “I have never seen a situation like this and it is difficult but it could be one of your strongest suit.”
Teams on the road, he thought, usually bond better if they create a winning momentum.
“You usually find yourself travelling together; it can help the squad stay together especially when you find some momentum to jump around like that. If you have four consecutive home games, you lose some sense of the players.
“…Guys do different things; they visit restaurants at night and you sort of lose that touch and the connection between the squad,” he remarked.
De Villiers claimed that the game underwent a turning point when CSK dropped Patidar several times. The skipper then turned in a 32-ball 51.
“Rajat Patidar’s innings was absolutely vital; 50 odd runs in 30-odd balls. From Chennai’s perspective, they dropped him a couple times; that was the game-changing event CSK needed.
“He’s (Patidar) been rather cool out there as a young skipper filling gigantic boots of Virat Kohli. It’s not simple; it might be frightening. He must be under pressure, however he is not displaying any symptoms. On the field, he is making extremely clear decisions and batting wonderfully.
De Villiers claimed that RCB winning two of the toughest teams thus far in the competition was mostly dependent on Patidar’s clarity of thinking.
” Especially when you are playing against strong teams like CSK and KKR away from home, I believe that peace, serenity, and clarity are absolutely crucial. He forbade a few dropped receptions and errant shots influencing the next ball.