Former New Zealand captain and spin-bowler Daniel Vettori has been impressed by Royal Challengers Bangalore’s form in IPL 2021, rendering them as the strongest thus far. Royal Challengers Bangalore was one of the busiest teams in the IPL 2021 auction and made some worthy additions to an already promising line-up. Daniel Vettori remarked that the franchise is in a good place, having not to make decisions based on losing games.
Royal Challengers Bangalore are the only unbeaten team in IPL 2021 this far, having beaten Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, SunRisers Hyderabad, and the Rajasthan Royals. Glenn Maxwell, who struggled for the Kings XI Punjab last year, fetched INR 14.25 crores, and has entirely lived up to the billing. The Victorian has crafted impactful knocks in all three games in which he has batted and is amongst the top run-getters in the tournament.
Furthermore, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers – the heart and the soul of RCB have shown their class with the bat and on the field when it mattered. Bangalore’s bowling attack, which used to go for plenty of runs in the previous editions, have looked world-class, irrespective of the pitches. Harshal Patel, traded from the Delhi Capitals, bagged a fifer in the first and has held on to the purple cap ever since. Kyle Jamieson, who was bought for INR 15 crores, has also done well, alongside Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Washington Sundar.
Four wins from ten games looks so much better: Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori agrees that the Royal Challengers’ schedule has been easier than some; however, they have won those matches. Daniel Vettori, who has coached and captained the franchise, highlighted that RCB need only four wins from their remaining ten fixtures, unlike the Kolkata Knight Riders, who have an uphill task to reach the playoffs. The former Kiwi captain believes that it usually affects the team’s confidence under such circumstances and opined that Virat Kohli’s team is now making selections based on requirements and how they could try and stay positive. The 42-year old feels that it’s a good place to be for the entire management.
“I agree that their schedule has been easier than some, but they have still won those games. And teams look at the start of the season as to how they are going to get to eight wins and 16 points generally gets you into the top four playoffs. Now RCB are into a situation – four more wins from ten games – that looks so much better than KKR, who need seven wins from nine games. That starts to usually affect the confidence of the teams and the way they carry themselves. So, I think RCB are now making selections based on requirements and what they think they can do to be positive rather than selecting by reacting to a loss. It’s a really good space to be in as a captain, coach, and playing group,” Daniel Vettori told ESPN Cricinfo.
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