“I was really excited when I was picked by RCB again. I enjoy playing at the Chinnaswamy, so I was definitely looking forward to that. In terms of goals, to be honest, I didn’t set any personal targets. It was important for me to contribute to the team and
try to help RCB win games. That’s what I want to do this season.”
On role clarity and hard work going into the season
“It does help when you have some clarity on what your role is in the side, but there’s a lot of hard work that goes in. It’s not just about having that role, it’s about going out there and working hard to really try and execute it on the ground.
I feel this year preparation has been really helpful for me; all the work that I’ve put in over the last couple of months and leading to the tournament as well. The last couple of years, I didn’t have too much preparation leading into IPLs, and that probably
had an effect on my batting. This year I’ve had that opportunity, worked on it, and had clarity on my role too.”
On batting at number three and his approach
“There is no pressure to be honest. It’s great when you get a really good start. It’s important to continue that momentum when you go in. So far, in most games, I’ve been able to do that, and I’m happy to contribute in that way.
When you have so many experienced players around you, it gives you that freedom to just go out there and have fun. When you have people like Virat and Salt at the top, and some really good power-hitting towards the end of the innings, it makes your job easier
because you don’t have too much pressure to go long into the innings.”
On the sustained increase in his strike rate this season
“First and foremost, it’s a mental shift you need to make when you come into T20 cricket. The game has evolved a lot, and you have to keep up with the times. Yes, a lot of work went into the shots I want to play, and when you have people around you who really
help you improve – like DK, Andy, and Mo – and they give you that confidence, it definitely helps.”
On the upcoming fixture against CSK
“We have played some really good cricket throughout the season, and there is no need to treat any game any differently. So, as long as we have done our preparations well and are completely focused on the game, I think we should be fine.”
RCB’s transition to Rajat Patidar’s captaincy
“Rajat has really taken on the role well, and when you have a team full of professionals who understand their job and what’s expected of them, it makes everyone’s job that much easier.
When the team is doing well and you have that camaraderie amongst everyone, everything just falls into place. Rajat has made sure we have that in our group. Everyone’s really enjoying each other’s success, and that’s great to see.”
Reflecting on RCB’s first win of the season at home, against Rajasthan Royals
“We really wanted to get that first win at home, and we did a pretty good job against Rajasthan the last time. But again, it’s a fresh game. We have to plan according to the line-up we’re facing, and that’s always a challenge. Every game in the IPL is hard,
regardless of where you’re playing.
In terms of the pitch, I don’t think it’s changed a whole lot. We’ve come up with some really solid plans and had those conversations in our meetings. Having a clear idea of what we want to do once we get out there really helped us in the last game.”
About Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo India, owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (often abbreviated as RCB) are a franchise cricket team based in Bangalore, Karnataka, that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). One of the original ten teams has made three final appearances in the IPL and reached the Playoffs for three consecutive years in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In 2024, the team qualified by winning 6 out of 6 games from the bottom of the points table with a 1 % chance. The squad consists of a fine blend of proven stars of the international arena and emerging talent.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerged champions in the Women’s Premier League 2024. RCB won the rights to own and operate a team in the Women’s Premier League with a bid of 901 Crores in January 2023 and shaped a bold squad in the auction with the buy of distinguished Indian opener Smriti Mandhana (INR 3.40 CR), who also happened to become the most expensive buy not only at WPL but among all other women’s cricket leagues in the world.
RCB has evolved in their journey of brand building with multiple business ventures like RCB Hustle (a fitness product by RCB), Dash of RCB, a premium line of non-alcoholic cocktail mixers which is launched as an extension to an already successful venture, RCB Bar & Café which saw an expansion by a newly opened outlet at the T2 terminal of Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport recognised as the ‘World’s most beautiful airport’ by UNESCO’s Prix Versailles in 2023.
RCB has adopted the philosophy #PlayBold, which resonates on and off the field – ‘Defeats don’t defeat us, the Challenger Spirit keeps us alive’. Download the RCB Mobile Application to know more.
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