RCB bowlers have got the confidence now: Allan Donald

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have had a terrific time currently in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With three consecutive wins, they are placed third on the table with one match to go. A win in the last match could seal a spot for them in the playoffs.

However, the RCB bowling unit has been highly criticized right through the tournament after two of their key bowlers, Mitchell Starc and Samuel Badree pulled out due to injuries. But, for the last couple of matches, RCB bowlers have been doing well with the team scoring over 200, there has also been less pressure on them, however, they seem to have regained confidence as a bowling unit. Team’s bowling coach and South African great Allan Donald has recently said that the RCB bowlers, though had started off meekly in the tournament, have gained their confidence back.

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Team’s bowling coach and South African great Allan Donald has recently said that the RCB bowlers, though had started off meekly in the tournament, have gained their confidence back. “I think we always believed it was possible. When you go on a losing spree, a lot of things creep into your head. First thing is about what quality side we have got and why we can’t put up a good show. I think we have always identified bowling as our weak spot and found a way now to be defensive in our attack. We have got to find a way ourselves and I think we have done that.” Donald said.

Shane Watson has been the key bowler for them in the crunch situation and Allan Donald also spoke high about him. “We really battled as a bowling unit right from the word go. We have panicked too early and we have not been up to the mark in crucial situations, especially in the last few overs. We have had no Mitchell Starc. We didn’t have a guy who bowls 150kmh. We had to find a way collectively to be defensive. It’s almost like finding a blueprint in being defensive. It’s little bit boring in a way but I think we have stuck to that. And it is working for us.”

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“It also helps when your batting line-up scores 200 plus.We have searched a lot for that confidence and I think we have got it now. No doubt about it. You’re always looking at a bowling group and thinking that guy’s not here’. Shane Watson has been that guy for us.He’s not a 150 bowler, but he’s a clever, really smart operator. His leadership, professionalism, just his experience and the time he puts in on the training ground especially with our young bowlers and his input in the team meetings. Finally, we’ve brought that together and realized this is actually simpler than what we’d been doing.”

AB de Villiers along with the team skipper Virat Kohli has been in unbelievable form, with both of them hitting boundaries at will. Virat is currently the Orange Cap holder in the IPL 2016. Donald doesn’t forget to praise the duo – “It is intimidating for any bowling attack when you have such a line-up. I have never seen batting at this level and skill from the point of view of Kohli in particular. He is on another planet in terms of confidence. I am glad I am on the right side of RCB now.”