Shane Watson, the former Australia cricketer listed quite a few factors for RCB’s excellent performance in IPL 2022 but credited the “brilliant tactical decision” to name Faf du Plessis the leader as the main reason behind RCB’s resurgence. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has looked like a different outfit in the IPL 2022.
Besides, a few lows in the league stage, the franchise has looked more dominant than with players having a defined role. The Australian former all-rounder admitted that RCB was one of his favourites even before the tournament had kicked off, owing to their brilliant auction.
Speaking after RCB’s 14-run win against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 Eliminator on Wednesday in Kolkata, Shane Watson admitted that the side was one of his favourites even before the tournament had kicked off, owing to their brilliant auction.
Shane Watson Praises Tactically Brilliant Decision Of RCB To Appoint Faf du Plessis As Skipper In IPL 2022
Shane Watson then hailed the decision to name Faf du Plessis as their skipper, opining that it was the right move after Virat Kohli had stepped down as skipper after the end of the 2021 season.
“If even the tournament started, RCB were one of my favourites because of how well they did in the auction and how well-balanced their squad is. Faf du Plessis was a great buy for them.
“Because knowing that Virat was going to step down, Faf was probably one of the only few players I think would do a brilliant job by getting the best out of Virat as not the captain and steering the franchise in the right direction. It was tactically a brilliant decision. He is a great guy and a very good leader,” he said.
Faf du Plessis was bought by the RCB for INR 7 crore at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. He has smashed 443 runs in IPL 2022 so far in 15 IPL 2022 games averaging 31.64 and is Royal Challengers Bangalore’s leading run-getter.
Shane Watson Reckons The Biggest Standout Performer For RCB Was Dinesh Karthik In IPL 2022
Shane Watson also listed pacers Josh Hazelwood, Harshal Patel, and keeper batter Dinesh Karthik as the other players who played a key role in RCB’s run to the playoffs for the third consecutive season. However, this was the first time in three years the franchise managed to cross the Eliminator hurdle.
“Josh Hazlewood, he has shown that previously with CSK, and now his bowling the T20s has gone through the roof in the last 18 months. Harshal Patel has been for value again. But the biggest standout has been Dinesh Karthik. Look at the innings against Lucknow. RCB could have stagnated a bit but he got 32 of some 16 balls to provide that extra little burst,” said Watson.
Dinesh Karthik has played the role of finisher extremely well and has set IPL 2022 on fire. He is RCB’s 3rd highest scorer in IPL 2022 after Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli with 324 runs in 15 games averaging an impressive 64.8 and has a stunning phenomenal strike rate of 187.28.
Josh Hazlewood was picked up by the RCB at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction for INR 7.75 crore. He has 18 scalps in IPL 2022 playing only 11 games averaging an impressive 19.66. His best is 25/4 this season. He is Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 3rd highest wicket-taker so far in IPL 2022.
Harshal Patel fetched a whopping ₹10.75 crore in the IPL Mega Auction as the Royal Challengers Bangalore bought back the Indian pacer.
The fast bowler won the Purple Cap in the 2021 edition of the league with 32 wickets in his kitty. He picked 19 wickets so far in 14 IPL 2022 games at an impressive averaging 20.5 which came at an economy of 7.56. RCB will take on RR in Qualifier 2 on Friday in Ahmedabad.