"Always On Backfoot After...": RCB Captain Faf du Plessis Throws Siraj And Co Under The Bus

RCB captain Faf du Plessis admitted that the team's bowling unit doesn't have enough penetration. Hence, the situation puts extra pressure on batters to score over 200 runs every time.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Faf du Plessis feels his side doesn't have enough firepower in the bowling department, and therefore, the batters will have to compensate for that weakness going forward in the IPL. RCB endured their fifth loss in six matches on Thursday. "I feel like from a batting perspective, we have to push for that 200. We don't have as many weapons in our bowling. So it comes down to the batting. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

"From a bowling perspective, we have lacked penetration. We have to get them two or three down in the powerplay. Always feels like we are on the back foot after the first four overs," Du Plessis said after seven-wicket loss to MI. Du Plessis feels RCB were few runs short of a winning score as the dew played a big part in the second innings.

"Very tough pill to swallow. It was very wet out there, it will be nice to win a toss somehow. Credit to MI how they came out and made our bowlers make a lot of mistakes. Anyone that came in and found the middle of the bat. "We spoke about it (dew). We knew the dew would play a big part. We needed 215-220. 190 wasn't enough. It is a big thing at some venues. When the dew settles in, it was very tough. We changed the ball many times. It is the only sport where the changes in conditions make a difference," he added.

Asked about Jasprit Bumrah's (5/21) terrific last spell, where he scalped four wickets, Du Plessis said: "He has been the difference in the two innings. We put them under pressure but the one guy, being out there myself, and you see him with the ball in his hand.

"You want to put him under pressure, but the variety does everyone in. He has got a really good bouncer, slower ball. Someone like (Lasith) Malinga was the best bowler in T20 cricket, but Bumrah has taken over the reins.