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Faf Du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their nightmarish campaign in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on April 15. After suffering their sixth defeat on Monday, this time to the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 25 runs, they now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the points table after seven games.
How RCB can fight back to secure IPL 2024 Playoff berth?
RCB's latest defeat left everyone wondering as to whether the star-studded side can still salvage their season and make a push for the playoffs, or they already out of the race? Ironically, RCB are dwelling in the plight despite their superstar batter, Virat Kohli, leading the Orange Cap race for the highest run scorer.
Despite the precarious position Faf Du Plessis' brigade are in, a playoff berth is still mathematically possible for RCB. However, the path is incredibly challenging. They need to win all their remaining seven matches to guarantee a spot in the top four. Any loss from here on throws them into a precarious position, forcing them to rely on the results of other games, essentially losing control of their own destiny.
RCB might munch on the misery of other teams who too are lurching in the standings. While Delhi Capitals are just one above RCB, with just four points, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings are no better, who have as many points but are placed eighth and seventh respectively in the standings with just two wins under their belt.
Another defeat for RCB
Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) struggles continued on Monday, April 15, despite valiant efforts from Dinesh Karthik (83 off 35) and a strong opening partnership between Faf du Plessis (62 off 28) and Virat Kohli (42 off 20). Chasing a mammoth 288 set by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru, RCB could only manage 262/7, falling short by 25 runs. This defeat extends RCB's misery. They remain rooted at the bottom of the table with a solitary win in seven matches, gathering only two points. In stark contrast, SRH stands tall at the fourth position with four wins and two losses, accumulating eight points.
Meanwhile, Du Plessis rued RCB's defeat against SRH and admitted that there's no way to hide when confidence is low.
“It’s tough. We tried a few things, we tried different things. There’s no way to hide when your confidence is low. The fast bowlers found it quite difficult out there. Similar to the batting perspective, we need to work on few areas. Need to make sure the run rate doesn’t go down after powerplay,” Du Plessis said at the post-match presentation.
“The guys put up their hand and never gave up (in the run chase). It was good to see the fight, 30-40 runs from the bowling perspective was a bit too much. It’s important to go away and freshen your mind, it’s such a mental game. Sometimes you feel your mind is going to explode. When you get back to the contest you have to give full commitment,” he concluded.
SRH will next face Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 20 while Du Plessis' RCB will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 21.
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