R Ashwin points out mistake in RCB’s plan during heavy defeat to SRH

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 55 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, May 22. However, Rajat Patidar and Co. confirmed their spot at the top of the points table.

After conceding 255/4 in the first innings, RCB knew that they needed to score 166 or more runs to ensure a top-two finish and 178 or more to bag the No. 1 spot. They were quite content to get 166 runs on the board, and that is why their batters, especially Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya, played conservatively. RCB eventually finished at 200/4.

Ravichandran Ashwin, however, believes that RCB could have played a bit more attacking cricket as the pitch had nothing much in it for the bowlers.

“RCB did what was needed to be in the top two, and that is the right strategy. But I would have seriously thought about shutting shop. The Hyderabad wicket doesn’t have many demons. So, I just felt they could have taken a shot for one or two wickets more because they have that insurance of Krunal Pandya,” Ashwin said in his latest YouTube video.

Sunrisers’ young pacer Sakib Hussain got the better of Virat Kohli on Friday. Ashwin praised the Bihar bowler’s deceptive slower delivery and said that he would savour the wicket of the former India captain.

“Sakib Hussain’s addition has given SRH a lot of strength this time. Sakib Hussain getting Virat Kohli out was well-deserved. I am happy for a bowler and a person like Sakib Hussain. There are a lot of rotations in his slower ball, and it is very deceptive. Virat Kohli’s wicket will probably be a big gift for him because, since childhood, he would have dreamt of playing with Virat Kohli or bowling to him,” he added.

“That is one thing I haven’t enjoyed” – R Ashwin on SRH using Travis Head as impact substitute

Ashwin also urged SRH not to keep Travis Head among the Impact substitutes. The Australian batter has blown hot and cold this season, playing most of the matches as an Impact Player. Ashwin opined that having Head in the starting XI would help his rhythm.

“If you keep Travis Head in the impact sub, he could probably lose a bit of rhythm. That is one thing I haven’t enjoyed. If Travis Head is carrying an injury, then it is understandable. But he has played two or three knocks where he looked completely out of sorts. Against Chennai, his head fell back and chased an away ball,” Ashwin said.

“Those things happen if a player is not in flow. It’s the business end of the tournament now. Please, don’t keep Travis Head in the impact sub. Keep him in the game; he can give more there,” he added.