Faf du Plessis, the skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed concerns about his team's bowling firepower following their recent loss in the IPL. Despite enduring their fifth defeat in six matches, Du Plessis remains optimistic but acknowledges the need for their batsmen to step up and compensate for the bowling department's shortcomings.
Speaking after their seven-wicket loss to MI, Du Plessis emphasized the importance of pushing for big scores, stating that their bowling lacks penetration, particularly in the powerplay overs. He highlighted the necessity of taking early wickets to avoid being on the back foot early in the game.
Reflecting on the match, Du Plessis felt that RCB fell short of a winning total, attributing it partly to the challenging conditions caused by dew in the second innings. He lamented the missed opportunity to capitalize on the toss and acknowledged MI's adeptness in exploiting their bowlers' mistakes.
Commenting on Jasprit Bumrah's impactful performance, Du Plessis acknowledged his ability to turn the game around with his variety of skills, likening him to legendary bowler Lasith Malinga. He praised Bumrah's knack for taking crucial wickets while maintaining a defensive approach when needed.
On the other hand, MI captain Hardik Pandya lauded Bumrah's consistent excellence, emphasizing his invaluable contribution to the team's success. He also commended Suryakumar Yadav's explosive batting, acknowledging his ability to deliver under pressure.
Pandya revealed that MI's motive was not only to secure victory but also to improve their net run rate by chasing down the target swiftly. Overall, both captains acknowledged the challenges faced by their respective teams and the need for improvement in various aspects of their gameplay.
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