IPL 2021: Can't Expect Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers To Pick Up Pieces All The Time - Brad Hogg Says RCB's Run Rate Was "Not Ideal" vs Punjab Kings

Former Australia spinner, Brad Hogg laments Royal Challengers Bangalore’s laborious batting display in the first half of their chase against the Punjab Kings on Friday.

Chasing a target of 180 in Ahmedabad, the RCB top three – Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, and Rajat Patidar – struggled for proper timing and placement, as they could muster only 62/1 at the 10-over mark, which Brad Hogg terms “not ideal” in context of the game.

Their inning fell apart sooner than anyone would have expected, as Harpreet Brar, playing in his first match this season, pocketed the wickets of Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers in a space of 7 deliveries, effectively ending RCB’s challenge.

Brad Hogg also lamented the over-dependence of RCB’s batting unit on Maxwell and de Villiers, both of whom have been in form this season, and have contributed heavily in their 5 wins so far.

“RCB going at 6 an over after 10 overs with only the loss of 1 wicket chasing 179 was not ideal. Yes you have Maxwell and de Villiers to come, but you can’t expect them to pick up the pieces all the time,” Brad Hogg tweeted.

Gayle’s innings Was The Difference, Allowed Rahul To Do What He Does Best: Brad Hogg

Punjab’s start was not great either – they, too, were made to work hard for runs, till the 5th over with the score of 29/1. Then, Chris Gayle took apart Kyle Jamieson for 5 fours in an over in the 6th over; he followed it up with a couple of sixes to Yuzvendra Chahal, shifting the momentum in Punjab’s favor. 

Brad Hogg reckons Gayle’s 46 off 24 had a huge impact on the game, which Punjab won by 34 runs. The former Aussie spinner observed that Gayle’s energy-fueled knock helped KL Rahul to bat through the innings, where he teed off in the death overs.

“Gayle’s innings the difference last night. Changed the momentum and allowed Rahul to do what he does best bat through the innings. #IPL2021,” the 50-year-old stated.

RCB remains in the top 4 with 10 points; they will next meet Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday. With the victory on Friday, PBKS moves up to the 5^th position in the points table; they will face the in-form Delhi Capitals on Sunday.

#RCB going at 6 an over after 10 overs with only the loss of 1 wicket chasing 179 was not ideal. Yes you have Maxwell and de Villiers to come, but you can't expect them to pick up the pieces all the time. #IPL2021

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) May 1, 2021

Gayle's innings the difference last night. Changed the momentum and allowed Rahul to do what he does best bat through the innings. #IPL2021

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) May 1, 2021

Also Read: IPL 2021: He’s A Quality Player, Sometimes It Doesn’t Work Out- Virat Kohli Defends Rajat Patidar Batting Ahead Of Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers vs Punjab Kings