How RCB Turned a Corner: One-run Loss to KKR, Fast Bowlers Breathing Fire and Rajat Patidar, the Middle-over Enforcer

The dictionary defines a juggernaut as “a massive inexorable force, campaign, movement, or object that crushes whatever is in its path”. While even the most die-hard fan may not refer to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) run to the Playoffs with that 10-letter word, what they cannot deny is that it has been an inspiring, almost inconceivable streak of wins which has now put them three victories away from their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title.

Winning and losing in sports can be chronic, and the latter can be hard to let go of. In RCB’s case, it was a loss that turned their tournament around. Exactly a month ago, they endured a one-run loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens—their sixth defeat in eight matches- which kept them in tenth place on the points table.

The One-run Loss to KKR at Eden Gardens

A loss of that kind can further demoralise teams. Yet, it gave RCB’s campaign a new life as they found their best combination and pipped most expectations to put themselves among the final four contenders for the title.

RR vs RCB Eliminator, IPL Match Today: Preview, Weather Forecast, Head-to-Head Stats, Predicted Teams, Fantasy XI And More

While Virat Kohli, Patidar, Will Jacks, and Faf du Plessis will take the plaudits for their batting exploits, no sane fan of the franchise would disagree that it has been the RCB bowling that has made them go from dreamers to believers to, hopefully, conquerors.

Bowlers Step up

Before beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 25, RCB had taken the least number of wickets in the Powerplay, with a mere seven scalps. Since that game, their bowlers have taken 16 wickets more than any other side in the competition.

Before the loss to KKR, the RCB fast bowlers had taken 34 wickets combined. Since beating SRH on April 25, the quicks have taken 28 wickets—the second most by any team in the tournament.

IPL 2024 Eliminator: High-flying RCB Runaway Favourites vs RR in Ahmedabad

Before the KKR defeat, their pacers had been haemorrhaging runs at 10.66 runs per over on average, the second-worst for any side in the competition. Since beating SRH on April 25, the RCB quicks have gone for 8.79 runs per over, the second-best for any side in this IPL.

The most crucial stat, however, has been the change in bowling performances in the Powerplay. At the start of the tournament, Mohammed Siraj looked out of form. Yash Dayal needed to hit his straps. Alzarri Joseph and Reece Topley were not giving the returns that were expected of them. Vijaykumar Vyshak was not a regular member of the side.

Since April 25, the RCB fast bowling unit has found renewed vigour and has claimed 16 wickets in the first opening six overs- more than any other team in the tournament. The Pacers have not only risen like a phoenix after the shambolic start to the tournament- which also saw them play a part in conceding the most number of runs in a single inning of IPL-they have breathed fire, game after game after game and played a sterling role in the team’s resurgence.

Rajat Patidar the Middle-over Enforcer

The batters have not been left behind, either. Since beating SRH on April 25, RCB has gone at 10.18 runs per over the second-best scoring rate for any team in this edition of the IPL. Patidar has been pivotal to their middle-over revitalisation; he has been prolific against spin, having smashed 21 sixes and batted at an overall strike rate of 210.86.

While all these batting and bowling improvements have played a pivotal role in RCB qualifying for the Playoffs, it must be remembered that they still need to win another three games to complete a fairytale for the ages.

The first hurdle for them would be Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator clash on Wednesday. On April 30, RR was at the top of the table, while RCB was at the bottom. In 22 days, the fortunes have turned around, so you would not be wrong to call the latter the favourites heading into the fixture.

But, despite losing Jos Buttler to England duties, RCB will know that the inaugural champions have a lot of firepower, both with bat and ball. Yashasvi Jaiswal had totalled a mere 32 runs in his last four innings and will carry extra motivation to deliver for his side on Wednesday.

Sanju Samson played one of his best innings of IPL 2024 against Delhi Capitals 46-ball 86- but his returns have been 15 and 18 in the next two matches, so he could well be due for a big knock.

The trio of Trent Boult, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal have taken 11 wickets in the last three matches they have played together. Yet, you can’t rule out any one of them playing a leading role in taking RR into Qualifier 2.

While RCB has all the momentum heading into the fixture, it might count for zilch on Wednesday. However, their journey to the Playoffs has happened without them having anything in their hands.