‘Positive atmosphere & newfound aggression’

RCB pacer Yash Dayal celebrates the wicket of DC’s Jake Fraser- McGurk (in blue) in Bangalore on Sunday. Pics/PTI, AFP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru took another big step in their late push for a place in the Playoffs on Sunday night, their fifth consecutive victory catapulting them to fifth place in the IPL 2024 standings.

Six-match losing streak

Having occupied the cellar for more than a month, RCB have roused themselves into form on the back of an aggressive mindset resulting from losing six matches in a row. That aggression has best manifested itself in the bowling, with their assortment of pacers and spinners discovering their mojo towards the backend of the competition.

Having ridden their luck - Delhi Capitals put down four chances - to stack up 187 for nine after being put in, RCB all but sealed the deal in the first 21 deliveries of the DC chase, reducing them to 30 for four.

Among the four dismissed were Australians David Warner, falling in his comeback game in the first over to left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh, and the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk, unfortunately run out at the bowler's end off a deflection from Yash Dayal just when he was beginning to tee off. Axar Patel, standing in as captain for the suspended Rishabh Pant, waged a lone battle with a powerful half-century, but he found no support as DC were bowled out for 140 to concede a heavy 47-run defeat.

"This was our chance," rued James Hopes, the DC bowling coach. "Now, we need to win and win big, but our future is not in our own hands and that's not a good feeling," he added. The big defeat sent DC's run-rate plummeting to -0.482, ahead of their final clash against Lucknow Super Giants in Delhi on Tuesday.

Also Read: KL Rahul vs Sanjiv Goenka row: ‘There is no harm in being respectful'

Crucial CSK clash next

RCB, who also have 12 points, take on Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, by which time they will know exactly what they need to do to push for a place in the next stage. "We have already had a couple of long breaks, so I don't think this one will affect our momentum," said Dayal, the left-arm quick, who was one of RCB's bowling heroes with figures of three for 20 from 3.1 overs.

"Even when we were losing, no one was pointing fingers at anyone. All through the season, we were positive. And now we have become more attacking. This supportive atmosphere, coupled with a newfound aggressive approach, seems to be the winning formula. When I start bowling, my aim is to just remove the batter in front of me, not try to stop the flow of runs. The credit for this should go to the coaches."

Cameron Green was the Player of the Match for his 32 not out and one for 19 from four overs. "I got enough time in India to get used to these conditions, there is a bit more in it for the bowlers. Chinnaswamy is a small ground, but there is help for bowlers," he said.

3-20
RCB pacer Yash Dayal's figures against DC on Sunday

5th
RCB's position in the IPL points table after their win over DC