RCB can’t rely on Virat alone: Moeen
TEAM EFFORT Kohli’s failure with bat against SRH did not deter team and England allrounder says if others chip in chances of making playoffs will brighten
Though AB de Villiers was adjudged Man-of-theMatch in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 14-run win over IPL 2018 table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad, it was Moeen Ali who provided the impetus to help his team put up a big score at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.
Ali said that it was important that other players also contribute as they can’t always rely on captain Virat Kohli and de Villiers to pull them through.
“It is obviously very important (to contribute). It is a massive momentum kind of game. We have to contribute to go further and potentially get through (to the playoffs). You can’t always rely on two guys, two amazing players who will do their bit but we have to sort of chip in and win games for the team as well,” said the 30-yearold.
BANGALORE: We have to contribute to go further and potentially get through (to the playoffs). You can’t always rely on two guys, two amazing players who will do their bit.
CRUCIAL KNOCK
The left-handed bat smashed a 34-ball 65 which included two boundaries and six sixes, guiding RCB to 218/6.
He also shared a 105-run stand with de Villiers which eventually laid the platform for the big total.
“It was good. I feel like I have been playing well in the nets and practice. I wasn’t in great form coming here. It was nice to go out and express myself in the last game here, for the fans and team, for my own and team’s confidence in me as well so that we can keep going forward,” said Ali.
This was the England allrounder’s only fourth game of the tournament in which he scored his maiden Indian Premier League half-century.
STICKING TO FORMULA
“It is great to be in the team and winning and when you win you always stick with the same formula and we are doing it now for the last three games and hopefully we can keep doing that.”
Ali also credited batting coach Gary Kirsten and batting talent development coach Trent Woodhill, saying that what he learns here will also help him improve him as an England ODI player.
KIRSTEN’S ROLE
“Gary and Trent Woodhill... I have worked the most with them on my batting. I am trying to hit the ball and be consistent in hitting boundaries.
“They have really opened my game and I feel going further for England, it will help me become a better ODI player and improve my game,” concluded the allrounder. On team contribution
They have really opened my game and I feel going further for England, it will help me become a better ODI player and improve my game.
On the role of RCB coaches Gary Kirsten and Trent Woodhill
I feel like I have been playing well in the nets and practice. I wasn’t in great form coming here. It was nice to go out and express myself in the last game.
On the match against SRH