Virat Kohli for RCB (Photo Credits: BCCI)
Rayudu reminisced about the prospect of facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and how they used to inspire the best out of teams at one point, but not anymore.
RCB may have come into the tournament with high spirits after their women’s team finally brought home silverware for the team, the first that the team has ever captured in their 16-year existence.
But, it seems like business as always for the men’s team, who have gotten off to a disastrous start to their season and are now touted with the task of taking on rivals Mumbai Indians next.
But, this wasn’t always the case for the Bangalore side, who used to be one of the most feared sides throughout the history of the IPL, and former MI and CSK batter Ambati Rayudu attested to the same.
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Speaking exclusively during the ‘Star Sports Press Room’, while celebrating ‘Rivalry Week on Star’, Rayudu reminisced about the prospect of facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and how they used to inspire the best out of teams at one point, but not anymore.
“When you’re playing against RCB, and you see them all pumped up, you tend to get your best cricket on that day. It happens, and also there has been a case where even if you play at your best, teams like RCB, back in the day, can beat you. I don’t think it’s the case anymore,” stated Rayudu.
Recent times would support Rayudu’s statement indeed, as RCB has gotten off to a dismal start, securing just one win out of their first five games, currently standing second-last in the table.
It has not been for a lack of effort though, especially from talisman batter Virat Kohli, who has been on a tear this season yet again, having scored a whopping 316 runs in the five games so far, after having notched up a century as well in a losing effort.
But, what has been a glaring issue is RCB’s hyper-dependence on the batter, whilst the rest of the batting order has struggled to get going for the most part.
Rayudu himself, also talked about the same, highlighting the need for the rest of the batting order, especially the veterans to step up and dismiss some of the pressure that youngsters such as Mahipal Lomror take on, whilst having to bat for the team.
“RCB needs to play with a longer batting line-up, dividing their best names proportionately. You cannot have all your so-called best players at the top of the order and leave all the pressure situations for the young boys. You need to phase it out, and definitely Glenn Maxwell needs to come at No. 6 or No. 7 and finish games along with Dinesh Karthik. I think that will serve them well going ahead into the season.”
RCB are set to face off against MI at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Thursday, April 11.
