Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has led his team to a remarkable turnaround in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. After a dismal start, RCB won their last six league matches to secure a place in the playoffs.Du Plessis attributes the team's success to a collective effort and a shift in mindset. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to the high-pressure environment of the IPL.The South African veteran also highlighted the support of the coaching staff, led by Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, who remained optimistic and provided valuable guidance.Du Plessis praised the contributions of individual players, including Will Jacks, who made a significant impact despite the absence of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. He also commended the bowlers, particularly Yash Dayal, for their consistent performances.The captain's leadership and experience played a crucial role in keeping the team together during challenging times. He emphasized the importance of staying calm and positive, even when faced with setbacks.Despite approaching 40 years of age, du Plessis remains highly motivated and dedicated to the game. He attributes his fitness and electric presence on the field to a rigorous training regimen.Regardless of the outcome of the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, du Plessis expressed immense pride in his team. He praised the players' resilience and the positive atmosphere within the group.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have staged a remarkable turnaround in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, securing five consecutive wins after a dismal start that saw them lose six matches in a row. This resurgence has reignited their playoff hopes and made them a formidable threat to other teams vying for the third and fourth spots.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has lauded RCB's impressive turnaround, attributing it to their passion and determination. He emphasized that such drastic changes in fortunes are rare and that the franchise deserves full credit for bouncing back from a horrid start.On Sunday, RCB continued their winning streak with a convincing 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This victory further solidified their position in the playoff race."They lost six in a row and have now picked up five consecutive wins. This does not happen without passion, so you have to appreciate that," said Zaheer on Jio Cinema. "We do not usually see a team revive its season like this after so many losses, so RCB gets full marks."RCB's resurgence has been fueled by a combination of factors, including improved batting performances from Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik. The bowling unit, led by Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel, has also been in excellent form, providing consistent breakthroughs and restricting opposition batters.With one match remaining in the league stage, RCB is currently fifth in the points table with 12 points. They have a potential to reach 14 points when they play Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league game. CSK currently has 14 points, and a win in this game could offer RCB a chance to enter the playoffs due to their superior run rate.However, RCB's playoff hopes also depend on other results. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are also on 12 points, have two games left and can reach 16 points. Therefore, RCB will need to rely on favorable results from other matches to secure a top-four finish.