‘As you sow so shall you reap’, could be the possible crux of Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli’s statement after his side secured a seven-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals. The 32-year-old, who announced that he will step down as the RCB skipper next season, said the team is being rewarded for their fearless gameplay. 

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are on the verge of sealing a playoff berth, having scored 14 points in 11 games. They occupy the third spot on the IPL points table. 

On Wednesday, RCB rode on an all-round performance to beat Rajasthan Royals to boost their prospects of a top-two finish in the league phase.

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“We’ve got the rewards because we’ve been fearless and confident in the moments that the game can go either way,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Couple of important things are clicking: middle-overs bowling is one. If you take wickets you can change the game.

“And batting also, we’ve got a few good opening starts. Devdutt and I have focused on giving the team good starts so that the middle-order with AB, Bharat and Maxwell can make more. Boys have stepped up, so that’s been key for us.”

Bangalore were on the backfoot after the powerplay in the first innings. Rajasthan Royals openers Evin Lewis and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 56 runs in the first six overs. 

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“We have come back strongly in two games back-to-back with the ball, which is a great sign. We know if you can hold your nerve with the ball you’re going in the right direction. In both games the opponents were 56/0 in the powerplay, but in both games we took wickets to ensure the opposition does not get away. We knew that with the kind of bowling attack we have, things can open up when we take wickets,” Kohli said. 

Coming out to bat, RCB lost Devdutt Paddikal and Virat Kohli inside eight overs. But No 3 batsman Bharat (44) stepped up along with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to stabilise the innings. The Australian went on to score his second consecutive fifty. 

“As batters you can’t take too many risks when you’re searching for two points too, so we went to look for mistakes from their batters. (Evin) Lewis hit a few sixes and it was courageous from Garton and the others,” the Indian captain signed off.

Yuzvendra Chahal, who was named Man of the Match for his measly spell in the middle overs after RR had got off to a brisk start, said he got his confidence back during the limited overs series in Sri Lanka.

“In the first half of IPL, I didn’t get wickets in the first three-four matches. After the break, I backed myself. I bowled well in the Sri Lanka series and I got my confidence back. I spoke to players and family on what I am doing wrong. I wanted to maintain that momentum here,” Chahal said.

RR skipper Sanju Samson admitted that his side failed to capitalise on a fine start as his openers added 77 runs in quick time, only to see the team being restricted to 149 for nine in the end.

“We got a great start, couldn’t capitalise. Middle order needs some confidence. We went in with intent, the wicket was two-paced and our batters kept mistiming it. To be honest, it’s been a hard one week for us, we need to put in a fight as a franchise,” Samson said.

“Happy with the effort and intent with the bowling. We don’t have anything to lose. That kind of mindset brings a lot of freedom, have seen some funny things happen. Need to keep on believing and fighting till the last match,” he added.