As we enter the business end of IPL, there are plenty of aberrations: Mumbai Indians at the bottom, Chennai Super Kings almost out of play-offs, and two newcomers(Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants) at the top. But, Royal Challengers Bangalore unlikely is still in with a big chance, and that perhaps has to be the highlight considering Virat Kohli is in such poor form.
With 12 matches done, RCB just needs a victory out of the remaining two to confirm their play-offs birth, and winning both would easily place them at the first or second position, which is very handy; especially in shorter formats where one bad over or one bad shot can agonizingly be the difference between final or early flight back.
With Faf Du Plessis in form, Wanindu Hasaranga in the IPL form of his career, Harshal Patel as miser as ever, and Maxwell in fine touch, RCB does look a finished side.
You can never write about RCB by being pessimistic, just like Bengaluru city, the team rises after every drop, and gets slaughtered but keeps walking. A city, whose story begins with traffic but ends in filter coffee; a city whose morning begins with a walk in a park and ends with a walk home, the only city in India which can boast of having the best weather, and also the only city with so many different English accents and the city where you always feel the journey has just started.
This year, RCB went in with different management, a different captain, and a completely different team, but their journey has been eventful. Perhaps, not the dreamy start but it hasn’t hit a truck yet. With Faf Du Plessis in form, Wanindu Hasaranga in the IPL form of his career, Harshal Patel as miser as ever, and Maxwell in fine touch, RCB does look a finished side.
With their remaining two matches against Punjab Kings and Gujrat Titans, it does appear an uphill task, but winning at least one shouldn’t be a problem, especially with Faf in such devastating form.
Faf in his many interviews looks far more composed and clinical in his decision making, perhaps the sign of a matured and confident captain. He isn’t as expressive as Kohli was, nor as calm as Dhoni is, but the former Proteas captain has the nerves of steel, a perfect leadership attitude, and a brilliant cricketing mind. Nevertheless, he has a poor toss winning record, and considering how pivotal it is to win toss these days, it would be somewhat difficult to get the troops to rally.
Virat Kohli was successful in getting the team to the finals, but can Faf do one step better? We certainly have to watch the rest of the IPL 2022 matches to find out.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram | @royalchallengersbangalore
