Former India and CSK batting star Ambati Rayudu has taken a dig at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) top-order batters after the franchise’s flop show in the ongoing IPL 2024. RCB are placed 9th on the points table with 1 win from 5 games thus far.
A side known for its batting prowess, RCB, has been let down by what is supposed to be its strength. History has shown that RCB has always seen its batters save the day, while bowling has always fallen short of expectations.
But this season, barring Virat Kohli, none of the other batters, especially the experienced line-up like Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell, have done much to support their Indian batting icon.
Ambati Rayudu reminisced about the prospect of facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and how they used to inspire the best out of teams at one point, but not anymore.
“When you’re playing against RCB and you see them all pumped up, you tend to get your best cricket on that day. It happens, and there has also been a case where, even if you play at your best, teams like RCB, back in the day, could beat you. I don’t think it’s the case anymore,” stated Rayudu on ‘Star Sports Press Room’.
Virat Kohli has been in a different league this season yet again, having scored a whopping 316 runs in the five games so far.
Rayudu also addressed the issue, emphasising the necessity for the rest of the batting order, particularly the veterans, to step up and relieve some of the strain that young players like Mahipal Lomror face when batting for the club.
“RCB needs to play with a longer batting line-up, dividing their best names proportionately. You cannot have all your so-called best players at the top of the order and leave all the pressure situations for the young boys. You need to phase it out, and definitely Glenn Maxwell needs to come at No. 6 or No. 7 and finish games along with Dinesh Karthik. I think that will serve them well going forward into the season,” he concluded.
RCB are set to face off against MI at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Thursday, April 11.
