IPL 2024: Barring Kohli, RCB batters are struggling for form and confidence, says Andy Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower said that barring Virat Kohli, the franchise’s batters are struggling for form and confidence after their six-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday.

RCB posted 183 runs on the board after being put into bat by Sanju Samson and Kohli scored 113 out of these runs. Ergo, the other RCB batters could only score 70 runs, including nine wides.

RCB was given a fine start as Faf du Plessis and Kohli added 125 runs for the opening alliance. The South Africa was dismissed for 44 but after his dismissal none of the other RCB batters could give support to Kohli. Maxwell was dismissed for one whereas debutant Saurav Chauhan could only manage nine runs.

Meanwhile, Kohli has scored 316 runs (which is the most so far in the season) in five matches of IPL 2024 at an impressive average of 105.33 and a strike rate of 146.30 whereas the second highest run-getter for RCB is their skipper Faf du Plessis, with 109 runs in five games. Ergo, RCB has failed to come up with a collective batting effort.

“We’re one from five, and that’s not a position any side wants to be in. Yes, we do have some issues with our batting. We got Virat in superb form, but other guys are struggling for form and confidence,” Flower said during the post-match press conference on Saturday.

“We’re trying everything we can to make them feel strong and confident. As you’ve seen in this competition, scores and aggression of teams are only going one way. So the guys need all the form and confidence to put the opposition under pressure. We haven’t found that form yet.”

RCB could not get a move on in the final five overs, managing only 55 runs despite having wickets in hand.

“We do discuss strike rates and aggression, it’s part of the understanding of the T20 game. The level of aggression has to be above a certain threshold and you have to always be putting the opposition under pressure,” Flower said.

“Certainly taking the aggressive option, especially on pitches like today. It’s just a fact that at the moment that our top five aren’t in sparkling form except Virat. It’s a tough place to be.

“It’s not from lack of effort, they’re working hard, they’re giving everything they’ve got. Just not firing at the moment. If we’ve got to turn this around, we need them firing. It was a matter of time.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.