In a post-match conversation marred by introspection and a glimpse of resolve, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis opened up about the prevailing team morale in the aftermath of their recent string of defeats in the IPL. The latest match saw RCB suffer their sixth defeat in seven matches, this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which recorded the highest total in the history of the IPL.
Reflecting on the match’s extraordinary run-fest, Du Plessis shared with broadcasters, “Crazy the amount of runs that were scored today. While we are disappointed with the result, I must commend our team for not giving up and pushing hard towards the end.” Despite the adversary’s towering score, RCB’s skipper praised his teammates for their spirit and tenacity throughout the game.
Discussing the team’s strategy and morale, du Plessis conceded, “Our confidence has taken a hit, and we’ve been trying different things behind closed doors. The game becomes exceedingly tough when your confidence wavers; there really is nowhere to hide. We experimented a bit with our bowling alignment too; maybe incorporating leg spin could help snag some crucial mid-over wickets next time.”
Despite the loss, the captain was proud of the batting effort, particularly highlighting the aggressive partnership during the powerplay between himself and star batsman Virat Kohli, followed by a stellar performance from Dinesh Karthik towards the end. Du Plessis remarked, “We executed well during the powerplay which is a positive takeaway. However, there’s a noticeable dip after the powerplay ends. We aim to maintain and even escalate our run rate throughout the innings as the dynamics of modern cricket demand constant escalation of scores.”
The skipper candidly admitted that the bowling department needed about 30-40 fewer runs to make the match competitive. On a broader note, du Plessis suggested that a short break from cricket might benefit the team, as continuous defeats pile on mental pressure. “This game is mentally taxing. With some time off now until our next game on Sunday, it’s crucial for us to refresh mentally and return with a full-fledged commitment and consistently fight at 100%.”
Meanwhile, on the victorious side, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Travis Head credited the strong middle-order of SRH for allowing him and Abhishek Sharma the freedom to be aggressive in the powerplay. Head had a phenomenal game, scoring a rapid century in just 39 balls. He said, “Our approach is to maximize our impact in the powerplay, trying to hit as many sixes and maintaining that aggressiveness. We depend on our middle order, which has consistently performed, empowering us to play our natural game upfront.”
The SRH opener also appreciated his bowlers for pulling back the game after an expensive start. “Wickets in the middle overs were key, and I think that really set up the game for us even though RCB was closing in towards the end.”
He further reflected on the new impact player rule, explaining how it extends the batting order and allows teams to continue their aggressive approach throughout the innings. “It mirrors the structures seen in international T20 cricket and gives us the depth to sustain our attacking strategy,” Head concluded.
As the tournament progresses, both teams look to draw from their experiences, with RCB needing swift remedies to their tactical and mental woes, while SRH aims to build on their robust performance.