If you have wickets in hand, the last 10 overs can be really productive, Kane Williamson after RCB's loss against GT

ANI April 3, 2025 208 views

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson offered insightful analysis on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting performance after their loss against Gujarat Titans. He emphasized the importance of consolidation and building partnerships, especially after losing early wickets in high-scoring T20 matches. Williamson suggested that RCB could have benefited from a more measured approach during middle overs to potentially set a stronger total. The match saw GT comprehensively defeating RCB, with Jos Buttler playing a match-winning innings.

"If you have wickets in hand, the last 10 overs can be really productive" - Kane Williamson
New Delhi April 3: Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson reflected on what Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could do differently after the loss against Gujarat Titans (GT) on their home ground on Wednesday.

Key Points

1

RCB struggled with early wicket loss in challenging match

2

Williamson advocates calculated batting approach

3

GT won convincingly by eight wickets

4

Jos Buttler's unbeaten fifty sealed victory

While speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, he suggested that while aiming for high totals is a valid strategy, it's important to consolidate and build partnerships, especially after early wickets. He believed that RCB might have benefitted from a more calculated approach in the middle overs, which could have led to a stronger position.

"There's a growing trend in the TATA IPL where teams are constantly aiming for high totals, especially at venues like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where big scores seem achievable. But sometimes, in the pursuit of those high totals, you can get ahead of yourself. After losing a couple of early wickets, it's important to consolidate and build a partnership. If you have wickets in hand, the last 10 overs can be really productive, going at 14 runs per over or more. Perhaps, RCB might reflect on this game and feel that if they had batted together for a few more overs, they could have set themselves up better. They played incredibly well in the first two games, but they might look back and think that a different approach in the middle overs could have put them in a stronger position on this wicket, which had some assistance for seam bowlers." Jio Star expert Kane Williamson said while speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar.

Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler's not-out fifty crushed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at their home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, on Wednesday, as the visiting team secured a convincing win by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

With this defeat, the Rajat Patidar-led team dropped to third place, while the Titans stayed in fourth place in the points table of the 18th edition of the lucrative league. Both teams currently hold four points after completing their three matches in the current tournament.

RCB was put to bat first by GT, who won the toss and opted to field. As ex-RCBian Mohammed Siraj (3/19) reduced RCB to 42/4, a 52-run stand between Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma (33 in 20 balls, with five fours and a six) and a 46-run stand for the seventh wicket between Livingstone (54 in 40 balls, with a four and five sixes) and Tim David (32 in 18 balls, with three fours and two sixes) helped RCB make 169/8 in their 20 overs.

Sai Kishore (2/22) and Prasidh Krishna (1/26) were also impressive with the ball. During the run-chase, GT lost their skipper Shubman Gill (14) early, but top knocks from Jos Buttler (73* in 39 balls, with five fours and six sixes), Sai Sudharsan (49 in 36 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Sherfane Rutherford (30* in 18 balls, with a four and three sixes) took GT to a win with 13 balls and eight wickets in hand. Siraj won the 'Player of the Match' award for his spell.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Williamson makes a great point here. RCB always seems to go all guns blazing without considering match situations. They need to learn to adapt their approach based on wickets in hand. 🔥
P
Priya M.
As a GT fan, I'm loving this season! But honestly, RCB's batting order needs serious restructuring. Why is Livingstone coming so late when he's clearly in form? 🤔
A
Arjun S.
Respectful criticism here - Williamson's analysis is spot on but I wish he'd suggest concrete solutions. RCB's middle order collapse has been a recurring issue for years now.
S
Sanjana P.
Jos Buttler was simply unstoppable yesterday! That six over extra cover was pure class 💥 GT's batting lineup looks dangerous this season.
V
Vikram J.
The real hero was Siraj though! 3/19 on that batting pitch is incredible. RCB's bowling has improved but their batting keeps letting them down season after season.
N
Neha R.
As a neutral fan, this was such an entertaining match! Both teams played well but GT's calculated approach in the chase was textbook perfect. That's how you win championships! 🏆

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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