Head coach Andy Flower said after the team’s fourth loss in five games this season that despite Virat Kohli’s performance, the Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Still trying to gain “condition and confidence”. Kohli (113) hit a brilliant hundred at the top but the RCB trio could only muster a sub-par 183, a target that was turned upside down by Rajasthan Royals, Backed by Jos Buttler’s 58-ball 100.

“We are at five and that’s not where either side wants to be. Yes, we do have some issues with our batting. We have Virat in great form but others are struggling for form and confidence Struggle,” Flower said during the game. Saturday’s post-game press conference.

“We are doing everything we can to make them feel strong and confident. As you saw in this game, the scoring and aggression of the team will only go in one direction. So the players need all the form and confidence to Pressure our opponents. We haven’t found that form yet.”

Kohli hit 12 fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 72-ball knock, but none but captain Faf du Plessis (44 off 33 balls; 2×4, 2×6) Apart from that, he didn’t get any support from other batsmen.

“We did talk about strike rate and aggression and that is part of understanding the T20 game. The level of aggression has to be above a certain threshold and you have to put pressure on the opponent all the time,” Flower said.

“Certainly take aggressive choices, especially on a pitch like today. The fact is that none of our top five players at the moment other than Virat are in sparkling form. It’s a tough place to be.

“It’s not for lack of effort, they’re working hard, they’re giving it their all. It’s just not firing right now. If we have to turn this situation around, we need them firing.”

It’s a matter of time: Bond talks Butler’s comeback

It was a brilliant comeback from England white-ball captain Buttler, who ended IPL 2023 with three consecutive wins and scored a top 13 runs in the last three innings.

“Obviously, Jos Buttler is happy. You know, we won the game without our opening partner, but he and Yashasvi Jaiswal batted really well in the nets.

“So, it’s time for one of them to start shooting. It’s great to see Jos Buttler at his best and the boys got the win,” Bond said.

Talking about the hundreds of comparisons between Kohli and Buttler, Bond said: “You have two of the best batsmen in the world. I mean, I always love watching Virat bat, his The technique and the way he works…he’s such a great technician and a great player.

“Then you’ll obviously see the strength and skill of Jos, who scores and plays in different areas. So you’ve got two very different types of players, but both great to watch.” Bond also praised captain Sanju Sa Much praise was given to Sanju Samson, who shot 69 off 42 balls.

“Sanju has been performing well and captaining the team. His communication has been excellent and the bowling choices he has made have been spot on.” Bond also said that Navdeep Saini is set to return to the team.

“Luckily for us, we have good depth in our team. I think we will get another Navdeep Saini from NCA soon which is exciting for us and it is better than our bowling Stocks add more depth. Sandeep Sharma (niggle) is not far away either.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)