Ravi Shastri,
former Team India coach, said that the IPL will get a new champion this
season and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will definitely make it to the
playoff. RCB are now placed sixth in the points table with six points from five
matches. The Faf du Plessis led side won three matches and lost two. RCB will
face Delhi Capitals on Saturday evening.
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“I believe we
will see a new champion this season. Royal Challengers Bangalore are on a roll
in this IPL and they are definitely going to make it to the playoffs. They are
getting hotter and hotter as the tournament is progressing. They are looking in
a good space. They are getting better and better with every game,” said Shastri
while speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports.
The former India
captain also said that seasoned players like du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn
Maxwell will play an important role for RCB going forward.
“Virat has
been doing well, Glenn Maxwell is back with the side, and we all know how
destructive he can be with the bat. He’s capable of taking the spinners to the
cleaners and will be important from RCB’s perspective as the tournament
progresses. And then, Faf being their leader is a big bonus for them,”
said Shastri.
RCB had last
suffered a defeat against the Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs on Tuesday, April
12.
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The Bengaluru-based
franchise missed the presence of Harshal Patel as they conceded 216 runs and
then they were unable to chase down the target as CSK restricted them to 193/9.
RCB will take on DC
at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday evening. The Rishabh Pant-led
side is coming off an excellent performance against the Kolkata Knight Riders
in their previous game.
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The Royal
Challengers Bangalore had a tough game against the CSK and they
felt the absence of Harshal Patel quite heavily. He has served the quarantine
period but is unlikely to play against DC today. Meanwhile Akash Deep conceded
plenty in his final few overs against CSK which might be a worry for du
Plessis. RCB have the option of bringing in Siddarth Kaul whose experience
might be handy in death overs until Harshal returns.
