What was the biggest winning formula of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in becoming IPL champion for the second consecutive year? Has Rajat Patidar’s captaincy turned RCB into a new champion team? After all, why this time not just Virat Kohli, but the entire team emerged as the strength of RCB?
New Delhi. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has given crores of its fans an opportunity to celebrate by winning the IPL title for the second consecutive year. Last year, when RCB won the trophy, it was seen as an emotional victory. But this time’s victory shows that this team has now learned to think and play like a champion. Let us understand closely the formula of this victory of RCB and know what were those things which made the team champion again.
1- Perfect balance of the team
The biggest reason for RCB’s victory was the balance of the team. The team entered every match with the option of 8 batsmen and 6 bowlers. The special thing was that their bowlers could also bat well. The biggest proof of this is the match against Mumbai Indians in Raipur, which Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasik Salam won on their own.
2- Attacking game, no defense
RCB played attacking cricket rather than defensive throughout the tournament. The team also came under pressure in many matches, but it did not give up its aggressive style. The kind of fighting spirit shown by the team in the difficult matches against Mumbai and Lucknow was the result of his thinking.
3- King of power-play
RCB’s winning formula was very simple – win the match in the power-play itself. In batting, the team scored more than 900 runs in the first 6 overs at an average of more than 10. Whereas in bowling, he took more than 33 wickets in the power-play. This became another major reason for the success of the team. Most of the teams lose the match due to slow run rate between 7th to 15th over, but RCB played well in this phase also and dominated the opposing teams in the death overs.
4- Smart captaincy of Rajat
Last year, when Rajat Patidar took over the captaincy for the first time, he was seen taking advice from Virat Kohli on the field. But this year Rajat looked like a seasoned captain. Be it the use of bowlers, field placement or timely use of batsmen, Rajat should get full marks.
According to RCB coaching staff, Rajat does not talk or think much before the match. He also does not do excessive planning with coaches and analysts. But after the match starts, he changes his plans according to the situation and sticks to his decisions. This is the secret of his successful captaincy.
5- No one in the team, everyone is a star
RCB gave up the habit of relying on 2-3 superstars and created an entire army of match-winners. Every player of the team was capable of winning the match single-handedly. The proof of this is that in the 10 matches that RCB won before the final, 8 different players received the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
6- Win or lose the toss, it doesn’t matter
RCB ended the notion that winning the toss is very important. The team did not pay much attention to the toss and achieved success by relying on its ability.
7- Showed full confidence in the players
To become a successful team, it is very important for the management to show confidence in its players. This season, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd and Jacob Bethel could not perform as per expectations, but the team continuously supported them. Giving big responsibility to young fast bowler Rasik Salam also shows how much the team management trusts its players.
8- Strong bench strength
It would not be wrong to say that RCB had won half the championship on the auction table itself. The bench strength of the team was amazing. There was a great backup for every big player. Like – Jacob Duffy as an alternative to Hazlewood, Venkatesh Iyer if Devdutt Padikkal’s form deteriorates, Jacob Bethel if Phil Salt fails or gets injured, and if he too fails, then Jordan Cox. Similarly, when Abhinandan Singh failed to live up to expectations, Rasik Salam was brought in to replace him. Mangesh Yadav was kept ready for the need of a left-arm pacer. This proved to be the biggest plus point of RCB.