Steve Smith has support from all quarters, says Rajat Bhatia
While skipper Steve Smith is shouldering he responsibility in the batting department, it is their bowling which is a major issue
PUNE SUPERGIANT’S WORST DEATHBOWLING PERFORMANCE WAS AGAINST DELHI DAREDEVILS AT HOME WHEN 82 RUNS WERE CONCEDED IN THE LAST FIVE OVERS,
:After Kolkata Knight Riders thwarted Rising Pune Supergiant in their previous match at the MCA Stadium on Wednesday, skipper Steven Smith would look to cash in on a disheartened Royal Challengers Bangalore when they clash in their IPL match here on Saturday.
While Smith is still shouldering bulk of the responsibility for Rising Pune Supergiant in the batting department with 275 runs in seven innings, it is their bowling in the death overs, which is a major issue. Of the eight teams, Rising Pune Supergiant have the second-worst performance in the death overs --they have conceded on an average 12 runs per over.
The reason Sunrisers Hyderabad won the IPL last season was because of their bowling in the death overs. Against Mumbai Indians in their opening match, RPS conceded 64 runs in the last five overs. Against Kings XI Punjab, 61 runs were given away in the last seven overs as Glenn Maxwell wrapped up the match in the 19th over.
Rising Pune Supergiant’s worst death-bowling performance was against Delhi Daredevils at home when 82 runs were conceded in the last five overs, and they succumbed to a 97-run defeat.
Smith’s wayward bowlers conceded 79 runs in the last six overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Kolkata Knight Riders went on the rampage in their previous match here where RPS lost the plot between the seventh and 16th overs, as 117 runs were plundered by Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa to comfortably chase down the 183-run target.
Only on two occasions have Rising Pune Supergiant done a decent job in the death overs, leading to a positive outcome. RPS gave away only 42 runs in their last five overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium to win
Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steven Smith would have added motivation for Saturday’s IPL clash as the Australian would get another chance to go one-up on Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s and Smith’s team were engaged in an acrimonious Test series, and although Kohli’s side emerged triumphant, Smith’s IPL side beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in their home. They would look to put it across Virat Kohli’s struggling side and make it 2-0 on Saturday as well.
Despite RCB’s poor run, Rising Pune Supergiant are wary of their opponents.
“Every year there will be some team who will be struggling. So, as far as RCB is concerned, they are a strong side. You take any player from their team, anyone is good enough to win them the match.
“We are just looking to give our 100% and put pressure on them because they are not winning those matches which they are supposed to win. We have to play to our potential,” Rising Pune Supergiant all-rounder Rajat Bhatia said on the eve of the match.
Bhatia said Smith has support from all quarters in the team as far as information on domestic players is concerned. “Smith is not leading (an IPL) team for the first time. He has led Rajasthan Royals before. He is getting help from all the departments.
“We have (coach Stephen) Fleming, Eric Simons (bowling coach) and MS Dhoni (ex-skipper). He must be getting help from everyone. He is very much sure about the team combination. As far as his captaincy is concerned, he is trying his best.
“I know it is difficult for a guy who is not from India to judge the domestic players.
“That’s one of the things you have to fight for. But people are there to help him.
“Our team talk is to go according to the plan. We are very positive in every game we play. It is all about 100 % and getting the best out of everyone,” said Bhatia.