AGENCIES
BENGALURU
Royal Challengers Bangalore have had an underwhelming IPL 2016 so far with only two of their seven matches resulting in a win. On Saturday they begin the second phase of their league matches with a contest against Rising Pune Supergiants.
For this game, RCB will introduce a new player to the IPL. England pacer, Chris Jordan, who has joined the RCB ranks as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Starc, is set to make his IPL debut. Given the team’s rampant bowling woes in the season so far, Jordan will be expected to turn the tables around for the hosts as they look for a momentum gaining win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“I have watched quite a few games. As far as the bowling is concerned, it’s not really for me to say. The guys are working really hard at training and obviously have great skill levels,” Jordan said when quizzed about RCB’s bowling conundrums. “The way things are going right now for the team, that’s life. We just need to keep looking forward to the next game and the game after that and hopefully, RCB gets back to winning ways.”
While not confirming if he has been told by the team management if he will, indeed, play his first IPL game on Saturday, Jordan willingly discussed what the team’s bowling plans should be against the Supergiants. “In most T20 matches the key is to take wickets in the first six overs because as you have seen they have a bit of momentum coming into powerplay,” he said. “Ajinkya Rahane is a phenomenal player both for India and in this tournament, for RPS. He will be a key player for us to get out early. We have plans for him and hopefully we will execute them as well.”
Jordan joined the RCB squad on Sunday, and since then, he has had a bit of a taste of the team and the tournament. “It’s been pretty overwhelming,” he said of the welcome he has received. “Everyone has made me settle in very quickly and made me feel welcome off the field.
“They’re a great bunch of guys with great experience. All I have to do is concentrate on the matches. Hopefully if I get a go tomorrow, I can show what I can do and put up a good performance for the team.”
While RCB are fighting their own battle, RPS have been paralysed by injuries to several of their key international players. Kevin Pietersen, Steve Smith, Faf du Plessis and Mitchell Marsh have all gone back home, leaving the already struggling team in a bit of a disarray. But after winning their last match, against the Delhi Daredevils, the Pune team would have had regained some confidence. Jordan said it was time for RCB to do the same.
“Every game is a must win game from now on. Yes, we can be tempted to look too far ahead, but first and foremost, we’ll have to deal with the game tomorrow. Every game has to be treated like a semi-final now and if we treat it like that, all the boys will give 150 percent. Pune won last night as well so they will be growing in confidence. Hopefully we can stop them.”
