Bharat hit Avesh Khan for a straight six with five needed off the last delivery.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has opened up about his talk with senior teammate Glenn Maxwell in the final over of the last league match against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) on Friday (October 8).
Chasing 165 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dubai, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lost its openers Virat Kohli (4) and Devdutt Padikkal (0) inside 10 balls and found themselves in trouble, but Bharat and Maxwell came to the rescue with their sizzling batting efforts in the IPL 14 contest on Friday.
Bharat, who has been in a good form with the bat in the ongoing IPL 2021, played a magnificent knock of 78* off 52 balls and finished off the game for RCB by hitting the winning six off DC’s Avesh Khan when his team needed 5 off the last delivery to win the game by 7 wickets in Dubai.
The Andhra wicketkeeper-batter said Maxwell had complete faith in him that he could finish off the game for RCB, and his words gave him confidence, as the 28-year-old hit a last-ball six to win the game for his side by 7 wickets in Dubai against DC on Friday.
Bharat said at the virtual post-match press conference, “The last over... I and Maxi were talking about what are the areas we can access. He said, watch the ball and get bat on the ball... The last 3 balls, you know I asked him whether to run, he said 'no, you can finish it off'. It gave me a lot of confidence.”
He added, “I was just focused on one ball which is coming next, rather than thinking of too many things. I kept it very simple and as a team, we did very well and we pulled it off.”
The right-hander further said facing the speedsters like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Avesh isn’t new for him and said he always enjoys the challenge against them.
He continued, “I love fast bowling, to be honest. I have played for India A and was also a part of the Indian team, you get to play with the best bowlers in the country. It wasn't a surprise element for me to play pace. I would love someone who is giving pace so that you can work the ball instead of hitting the ball hard. I found it really interesting and I was enjoying the challenge.”
Bharat has been regularly batting at No.3 in the UAE-led of the IPL 2021, but the RCB management has already informed him his position will remain flexible in the tournament.
He signed off by saying, “We are flexible to go at any order. It was communicated fair enough. Everyone is up for their challenge. I don't think there is any miscommunication. When the chances are given to you, you want to do well and finish it off well.”
(With PTI Inputs)