Defending champions RCB will take on Gujarat Titans in an away fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, 30th April. RCB will come into the contest on the back of a five-wicket win over GT in Bengaluru earlier this season, and a dominant nine-wicket win against Delhi Capitals. They currently sit comfortably on the points table with 12 points from eight games.
Ahead of the contest, RCB Head Coach Andy Flower said, “We’ve moved on from last year and are focused on the new challenges this season brings. The players have been enjoying that journey, and tomorrow should be another great contest. It’s important to treat wins and losses with a fair degree of equanimity. You don’t want to get too carried away with either. Each game presents a fresh challenge, and that’s how we approach it.”
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Talking about the team’s strengths so far, Flower added RCB’s effectiveness with the ball in key phases:
“We’ve been very good at taking powerplay wickets and putting opposition under pressure. At the same time, we have strong depth in our batting, which gives the group a lot of confidence. We’re comfortable with whatever conditions are put in front of us. We believe we have an attack that can exploit different surfaces and a batting unit that can thrive in any situation.”
“It’s important not to get into a mindset of trying to hold on to our position. We want to embrace the unpredictability of the game and attack every match with the right attitude. We’ve got a good mix, experienced swing bowlers, a world-class fast bowler in Hazlewood, and spinners who bring different skill sets. That variety gives us strong options in different phases of the game.”
On the mental side of the match and handling pressure, Andy Flower also offered a nuanced perspective as well.
“Fear is a normal human emotion. Instead of trying to ignore it, we encourage players to recognise it and respond well. That’s a healthier way to deal with pressure situations. He is leading the side really well. He has strong support around him, and together they are creating a positive environment for the team to perform,” he concluded.
