‘RCB ready though heat and travel of 6 matches in 20 days will test our squad strength’: Coach Andy Flower

Travel and match days for 6 games over the next 20 days in an intense phase of competition will test the squad Strength of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, according to coach Andy Flower.
The Red & Blues’ Gaffer told RCB’s Game Day that though the schedule had started out easy, it was about to explode for one of the most followed IPL teams. The got summers could impact the pacers, he added. RCB are third on points with 2 wins from 3 games, and MI are 8th with 3 losses.
“The schedule I think has been a good one for us actually. It’s a gentle start. It does ramp up pretty soon. And we’ve got a block of about 6 games in 20 days with travel. So the wear and tear particularly on quick bowlers when you playing in hot humid conditions that tests your resources and sometimes tests your squad strength. That’ll be an interesting second phase for us in the tournament,” Flower said.
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While RCB batters obviously find themselves under the glare lights, their bowling unit is looking pretty competent to complement the famous batsmen this season. Bowling coach Omkar Salvi, who coaches Mumbai Ranji too, told Game Day, “Basically when we bowl, we bowl in a pack. We hunt in pairs. When all bowlers work together that variation itself is a natural variation. We have bowlers who can swing the ball, bowlers who are deceptive. This pitch is more batting friendly but the amount of talent we have in this group. Whatever challenge comes our way these bowlers can face it.”
Rajat Patidar returns to where it might have potentially all started. Last year his 70 odd was crucial to RCB at Wankhede, and he has since risen to be appointed captain. “Last year Rajat Patidar played an incredible innings here last year of 70 odd when we were in trouble. We have many batsmen that can play that kinda innings,” Flower added.
The Zimbabwean fan fave also said this was just the beginning for RCB. “We have got a very powerful talented batting unit. And we want to play them to their strengths. Experience, quality and talent. Over the tournament we will see some incredibly exciting batting and we haven’t even hit our straps yet, three games in. We will see some pretty impressive cricket from our guys,” he said.
RCB big framed giant Tim David added that their bowlers can put batsmen under pressure. “We know what MI are gonna come up with. So we will put them under pressure,” he told RCB Game Day.Story continues below this ad
The Wankhede pitch is conducive to shot making, has good pace and bounce and isn’t a big outfield. The Monday mania with T20 World Cup big names Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma and Surya Kumar Yadav is an explosive start to the week.