Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gave a resounding display of resilience and commitment, securing a place in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs in the most unexpected way. After losing seven of the first 8 games of the season, RCB were only theoretically in playoff contention. But with the Bengaluru team’s 6 consecutive wins at this stage, along with a few other results in their favour, the Faf du Plessis-led team has grabbed 4th place in the points table and are not planning to take their foot off the gas just yet.
Facing Rajasthan Royals, who have suffered a drop in form in the last 3-4 games, still remain a difficult team to beat, especially in the absence of Jos Buttler. But RCB’s beliefs are higher than ever in the history of this competition, having given the league its ‘greatest comeback story’ ever.
The month of May witnessed a great change in fortunes on both sides. RCB failed to manage a win at one point but now have six consecutive wins that have helped them write one of the greatest comeback stories in cricket history. Rajasthan Royals, who were earlier at the top of the points table with eight wins and just one defeat, succumbed to four consecutive defeats, which led them to this do-or-die clash against RCB.
RCB not only won matches but also kept statisticians, fans, pundits etc. busy, breaking records and the net run rate barrier match by match. From April 25, when they won the second game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) until now, they have put up strong numbers after a poor first half. Let’s look at some numbers that tell the story of this inspiring return:
Overall Run Rate: Before April 25, the day they won their second game of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), RCB’s overall run rate was fourth best at 9.73. From the win against SRH till now, the team’s overall run rate has gone up to 11.03, the best in the league.
Improvement in middle batting: In the first half of the season, poor and inconsistent middle order meant that openers Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis had to put the brakes on their own run rate during the middle overs. The team’s intermediate run rate was 8.72, the sixth best in the competition. From April 25th until now, the intermediates’ run rate has soared to 10.18, the second best in the competition
Dramatic leap in powerplay bowling: RCB also improved their powerplay bowling by leaps and bounds. Before April 25, RCB had taken just seven wickets at this stage, the minimum per team. Since the win over SRH, RCB have 16 wickets in the powerplay, the most by a team. Furthermore, the rate of the economy has also dropped considerably. Although RCB’s bowlers were guilty of many losses in the first half, conceding runs at 10.79 per over in the powerplay, their six wins saw them giving away runs at an economy rate of 8.72, which is the fourth best.
Pacers bring the heat: In the first half of the competition, RCB’s pace attack of Mohammed Siraj, Alzarri Joseph, Reece Topley, Lockie Ferguson etc. it was crushed in every corner of the park, regardless of location. The ball traveled to the boundary as fast as his deliveries, especially at his home ground, the M Chinnnaswamy Stadium. Subject to much criticism and ridicule, quicks work hard. Before the April 25 victory, the pacers had taken 34 wickets, the team minimum. In the next six wins, the pacers took 28 wickets, the second most by a team. Furthermore, the economy rate has fallen from 10.66 (second worst among all teams) to 8.79 (best among all teams) since April 25th.
Best batting team of the tournament?: While Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) took the league by storm with their fearless batting and deep hitting, RCB’s batting also did some work worth documenting. They finished the championship stage with 2,758 runs, surpassing SRH and KKR before the qualifiers. In the overall count, they are just six runs behind SRH who have scored 2764 runs in this tournament.
They also scored 1,806 runs across fours and sixes, the most by a team in the league stage, surpassing SRH (1,768 runs across boundaries by team one qualification against KKR completed). Additionally, they have scored the third-most fours (216) and second-most sixes (157) this season.
Furthermore, the franchise has scored 554 runs in the final three overs of a game throughout the season, with the batsmen unleashing carnage in deadly overs, ending the league run on top in this regard.
Plus, take a look at the franchise’s best hitters since April 25:
Virat Kohli: Before April 25: 379 runs in eight innings. Average: 63.16 Strike rate: 150.39. One century and two fifties. Since April 25: 329 runs in six innings. Average: 65.80. Attack rate: 162.06. Three fifties
Faf Du Plessis: Before April 25: 239 runs in eight innings. Average: 29.87. Attack rate: 152.22. Two half centuries. Since April 25: 182 runs in six innings. Average: 30.33. Attack rate: 182.00. Two half centuries.
Rajat Patidar: Before April 25: 161 runs in seven innings. Average: 23.00 Hit rate: 161.00. Two half centuries. Since April 25: 200 runs in five innings. Average: 40.00 Hit rate: 198.01. Three fifties.
Cameron Green: Before April 25: 74 in six innings. Average: 14.80. Attack rate: 110.44. Best score: 33. Since April 25: 154 runs in five innings. Average: 77.00. Strike rate: 171.11 Best score: 46*.
Will Jacks: Before April 25: 76 runs in four innings. Average: 7pm. Attack rate: 149.01. Half a century. Since April 25: 154 runs in four innings. Average: 51.33. Strike rate: 183.33. A century.
A loss for either franchise would be the final nail in the coffin for them this season. RCB would be determined to go all the way, making the most of their excellent form, while RR would be desperate to stop their slide.
With ANI inputs
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