IPL 2026: Finch Praises RCB's Bold Strategy and Strengths
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New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) Former Australia captain Aaron Finch asserts that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's triumph this IPL season stems from their unwavering dedication to an assertive batting strategy and their confidence in leveraging their strengths, even in favorable circumstances, following their decisive victory against the Lucknow Super Giants.
In pursuit of a moderate target of 147 after a commendable bowling performance, RCB opted to maintain their aggressive approach rather than adopting a conservative strategy. A rapid innings from skipper Rajat Patidar set the momentum, while Jitesh Sharma showcased a bold performance with 23 runs off just nine balls, marking his first double-digit score of the season despite previous struggles. Finishers Tim David and Romario Shepherd completed the chase with their own impressive contributions.
Finch noted that Jitesh’s willingness to play boldly, even after a challenging phase, exemplifies the confidence and clarity present within the RCB team.
"This is a batting group filled with confidence. The disparity between the top teams and the bottom is evident. They consistently follow a structured approach to their run-chases, opting to play aggressively even when the game is well within their control," Finch shared with ESPNCricinfo.
Emphasizing the team's steadfastness in adhering to their attacking strategy, Finch remarked that RCB’s batters are determined to conclude matches on their own terms rather than playing conservatively.
"In such situations, it would have been easy for one of their batters to finish with 25 not out, but that’s not the current style of cricket in Bengaluru. They remain committed to their approach, playing to their strengths. When the matchup favors them, they seize the opportunity, effectively concluding games with ease.
"The risk of adopting a cautious style when controlling a game is losing credibility. Team members might perceive that if someone is merely trying to play it safe for personal gain, they might adopt the same mindset in the future due to contract insecurities. That’s how team cultures can deteriorate rapidly. The fact that they executed their plan so well is commendable," he stated.