'This team is no longer about the three stars' - Aakash Chopra heaps massive praises on RCB

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that RCB is no longer reliant on their three big stars and their knack to find new stars in every match has helped them a lot in their journey so far this year. RCB advanced to Qualifier 2 by defeating the Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, May 25.

Rajat Patidar hammered the LSG bowlers when he went in to bat at No. 3 after RCB lost their skipper Faf du Plessis for a golden duck. After his 66-run stand with Virat Kohli came to an end, he struggled to find a partner. Dinesh Karthik’s entry into the game gave him a big boost. While Karthik took time to settle in, Patidar took charge of the game and ended up scoring an unbeaten 112 off 54 deliveries.

“The biggest thing is that neither did Faf score runs – he was dismissed for a golden duck, nor did Virat Kohli score runs – scored a run-a-ball 25. Maxwell’s bat also does not fire but despite that, this team wins the match. This is what a team is all about, this team is no longer about the three stars,” Chopra said during his YouTube show.

RCB is finding new heroes in every game: Aakash Chopra

After Kohli’s departure, Glenn Maxwell walked in but failed to impress as he was dismissed for nine. Mahipal Lomror did his bit, but it was Patidar who carried the game in his style. Karthik and Patidar added 84 runs in the final five overs as LSG bowlers struggled to pick a wicket.

“The story has gone far away from that, they are doing amazing death bowling. They are finding new heroes in every game and this time around it was all about Rajat Patidar,” he added.

This year, RCB did not depend on just one or two players. Many players from the unit have contributed to their best capacity to get the team to this position. Skipper Faf du Plessis kept striking with the bat, but could not find the consistency. Kohli, despite his rough patch, kept his head high and put out his best for the team. His knock against the Gujarat Titans in their final league stage match was the reason behind the team’s glorious victory.

While Maxwell provided some cameos with the bat and the ball, Karthik has been a gem of a player as he embraced the finisher’s role. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga fulfilled his duties by scalping 25 wickets in the tournament, and Josh Hazelwood and Harshal Patel did what they were best at. RCB are now aiming at their maiden IPL title and will be determined to defeat Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.