Pune: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) must rely on the strength of their middle order, especially Dinesh Karthik, as he helped the team to a win against Rajasthan Royals at the MCA. On Tuesday, the team’s director of cricket operations, Mike Hesson, admitted that the batting order issue in the team needed to be resolved urgently. The RCB team is looking weak so far despite their good performance in IPL 2022, with Virat Kohli and Anuj Rawat running in their poor form when it comes to batting at the top of the order.
RCB were bundled out for 68 in 16.1 overs by Sunrisers Hyderabad at Brabourne on 23 April. RCB’s top-order batsmen got out early and when the middle order came out to bat, they also failed to play a long innings. At the same time, Hyderabad registered a huge victory by nine wickets with 12 overs remaining.
Reflecting on the pace-shattering defeat, Hesson said, “We struggled to get into the game. We were pushing for runs but failed to hit the shots. Hyderabad bowled well in those conditions. We fought them. Struggled a lot to do that.”
He further added, “When you lose three early wickets, you always try to fight back in your own way. We have already done that many times, but were not able to do it against SRH. Whatever we planned Made it, it didn’t work.”
Hesson then turned his attention to RCB’s top-order saying, “The top-order hasn’t really gotten into its rhythm yet. We’re not thinking too much about it, but we know that in the top-order of Hyderabad. They are good batsmen. Sometimes they put pressure on the bowlers.
The New Zealander said the team could not tolerate such defeats in the middle of the tournament as the team has won a lot of matches this season.
There has been a growing demand for Kohli and Rawat to be dropped from the playing XI, while top-order batsman Rajat Patidar and all-rounder Mahipal Lomror are being sought in their place, with a fan saying the team has three in-form players. Well, Kohli and Anuj Rawat need a break.
first published:April 25, 2022, 3:52 p.m.
