Aakash Chopra emotionally reflects on the Royal Challengers Bengalurus (RCB) monumental turnaround in IPL 2024 marking their fifth backtoback victory. The dynamic leadership of Faf du Plessis led the team to a resounding 47run conquest over the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Bengaluru on the unforgettable Sunday of May 12.
RCB handed DC a 188run target as they took their turn to bat first. They then managed to dismiss Axar Patel and his team restricting them to 140 runs. This victory elevated RCB to the fifth position on the points table thus keeping their playoff dreams alive.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru had made a remarkable return in the IPL 2024.
“RCB have won five consecutive games. You can call them Royal Champion Bengaluru currently. Namma Bengaluru are playing extremely well. They demolished Delhi. Delhi can’t reach 16 points now and RCB are sitting pretty at the fifth spot with five consecutive wins and a positive net run rate.”
“People change their watches, they have changed their time. They were at No. 10 at one stage and are now at No. 5. They are still alive and to be very honest, they are also playing incredible cricket now.”
Aakash Chopra
RCB won only one of their first eight games in the current IPL season. However, they have won their past five games, giving them a good chance of entering the playoffs.
“Virat Kohli starts like a bullet train these days and he did that only” – Aakash Chopra on RCB’s batting
In analyzing the Royal Challengers Bengalurus innings Aakash Chopra commended the stellar performances of Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar underscoring their vital contributions subsequent to Virat Kohlis explosive start.
“Virat Kohli starts like a bullet train these days and he did that only. However, Faf du Plessis was dismissed at the start. Will Jacks made 41 and Rajat Patidar made 52. Both of them got lives but both batted well. They hit very good sixes. The Delhi spinners kept bowling fast. They were doing well when they were bowling slow.”
Aakash Chopra
However, the acclaimed analyst noted that the three-time finalists appeared to have been limited to a below-par performance.
“Mahipal Lomror and Cameron Green played short knocks and you reached 187, which I thought was not enough because the end wasn’t good at all. You didn’t score runs at all in the last two or three overs. The wagon was suddenly stopped.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra praised the RCB bowlers for maintaining their winning streak.
“A lot of bouncers were bowled. Cameron Green bowled well. Yash Dayal picked up three wickets. Mohammed Siraj bowled well. Lockie Ferguson bowled extremely well – conceded 23 runs in four overs and picked up two wickets. RCB is on song.”
Aakash Chopra
Yash Dayal was the hosts’ most successful bowler, taking 3/20 in 3.1 overs. Lockie Ferguson took two wickets, while Swapnil Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Cameron Green each dismissed one batsman, with two being run out.