'Top five aren't in sparkling form except Virat' - Andy Flower urges for 'aggression' from RCB after third straight loss

Andy Flower, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach, wanted his side's 'level of aggression above a certain threshold', adding they have to learn how to put the opposition under pressure. His comments came shortly after RCB's six-wicket loss in the IPL 2024 clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), marking their fourth consecutive defeat in the ongoing tournament. 

Flower admitted the lack of intent in the batting department, stating the top-order batters were not in good shape except Virat Kohli. Kohli struck his eighth IPL ton while no other batter excelled, leaving the former captain to score a majority of runs to set an 184-run target. Remarkably, RR chased down the target with effortless ease, courtesy of Jos Buttler's unbeaten century and a fifty from captain Sanju Samson.

"We do discuss strike rates and aggression, it's part of the understanding of the T20 game. The level of aggression has to be above a certain threshold and you have to always be putting the opposition under pressure. Certainly taking the aggressive option, especially on pitches like today. It's just a fact that at the moment that our top five aren't in sparkling form except Virat. It's a tough place to be. It's not from lack of effort, they're working hard, they're giving everything they've got. Just not firing at the moment. If we've got to turn this around, we need them firing," Flower said at the post-match press conference.

Also read: IPL 2024: RCB's Virat Kohli equals unwanted record amid classy century against RR

Flower, however, was impressed with the bowlers perfromance who have dragged the game till the final over of the second innings. "We were a bit light (on runs) I thought, given the base we had, we were about 107/0 in the 12th over, so we should have got upwards of 200 being in that position on a good pitch. But we started well with the ball, Topley and Yash, then Siraj were brilliant upfront but the last over of the powerplay cost us some serious momentum."

We're one from five and that's not a position any side wants to be: Flower

RCB are currently sitting eighth in the IPL 2024 points table, with just two points from five games. Flower stated that no player wanted to be in the position they are currently in and believes that they somewhat need to pull up their socks.

Also read: IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals' 2nd Innings Highlights against RCB in Match 19

"We're one from five and that's not a position any side wants to be. Yes, we do have some issues with our batting. We got Virat in superb form but other guys are struggling for form and confidence. We're trying everything we can to make them feel strong and confident. As you've seen in this competition, scores and aggression of teams are only going one way. So the guys need all the form and confidence to put the opposition under pressure. We haven't found that form yet," the 55-year-old said.