The dreams of playoffs may seem distant for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they continue to struggle, but captain Faf du Plessis finds solace in the end of their six-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.
A 35-run triumph against Sunrisers Hyderabad marked only Bengaluru’s second victory in nine matches, leaving them anchored at the bottom of the 10-team league.
Despite the challenges, there’s still a glimmer of hope for a top-four finish, which would pave the way for their maiden IPL title. Du Plessis emphasized the significance of their second win, seeing it as a morale boost.
We’ve been on the cusp for a while, but victories are imperative to restore confidence within the team,
he expressed during the presentation ceremony.
It’s a significant relief. Regardless of our position, prolonged losses take a toll mentally and dent our confidence. Tonight, I’ll find a bit more ease in sleep.
With only Virat Kohli exhibiting consistency with the bat and a bowling lineup that often appeared lackluster this season, Bengaluru needed a stellar performance to overcome third-placed Hyderabad.
Fortunately, they delivered. Rajat Patidar’s consecutive fifty-plus scores and Cameron Green’s all-round contribution, including an unbeaten 37 with the bat and two vital wickets along with a crucial catch, notably against Heinrich Klaasen, fueled their victory.
Du Plessis stressed the importance of performance in building confidence within the team.
Confidence isn’t something we can simply articulate; it stems from tangible performance,
he remarked.
Now, we’re witnessing more batsmen stepping up. Initially, it was solely Virat making significant contributions.
Rajat’s consistent innings, along with Green’s impactful performance, alleviate a significant burden. It’s crucial for our batting unit to collectively contribute, especially considering the imposing scores we’ve encountered. It’s never reliant on just one individual to carry the load.
