RCB’s Strategic Decision: Why They Let SRH Win With Slow Batting
RCB’s Strategic Decision: Why They Let SRH Win With Slow Batting
Despite losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their final league game, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) assured a top two finish on the IPL 2026 Points Table.
The Rajat Patidar-led defending champions were handed a target of 256 runs by the SRH, who posted 255/6 thanks to their gung-ho batting approach, even against Josh Hazlewood.
How Did RCB Finish at First Position Despite Losing to SRH?
RCB had a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.065 prior to the game against SRH, who had an NRR of +0.350. Despite losing the game by a hefty margin of 55 runs, Bengaluru’s NRR only nosedived to +0.794 – still the best this season.
After getting a target of 256 runs, the defending champions had to score 166 runs to confirm a top two finish, and get past 171 runs to finish at the top of the IPL 2026 Points Table. They eventually ended their innings with 200/4.
Andy Flower Reveals RCB Batters Chose Top Finish Over Chase
While revealing the inside dressing room chatter after the first innings of SRH vs RCB, head coach Andy Flower made bold revelations. RCB’s topman revealed that the RCB batters decided whether they would hunt down the target of 256 runs and confirm a top-two finish by getting to 166 runs.
“We were in a position to keep pushing to chase down 255 but ultimately we got the job done and topped the league. It’s quite a tricky situation when you’ve got these conflicting things, winning the game and ensuring we top the league,” RCB head coach Andy Flower said in the post-match presser.
“We did discuss the various targets. So I think we needed 166 to confirm top two, 179 to confirm top of the league and obviously 255 to win the game. I thought Venky (Iyer) batted brilliantly up front to give us that impetus,” the head coach added.
Venkatesh Iyer Gave RCB a Hope to Hunt Down Target
As RCB ended on 200/4, the game slowed down when Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya were batting together in the middle overs. The two decided to play cautiously and avoid losing wickets in the chase.
However, when Venkatesh Iyer was batting, he gave the RCB fans a ray of hope. Opening the innings for the first time this season, the southpaw blasted a 19-ball 41 inside the powerplay.
Head coach Andy Flower also spoke about the batting all-rounder, who played a fine hand against PBKS, but has warmed the bench for most of the season.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for a man (Venky Iyer) that’s played a lot of IPL cricket, played for India, and was sitting on the sidelines waiting for his chance. He’s been in that dugout. He’s had a big smile on his face all the time. He’s practised hard every single practice session. He’s worked hard. He’s worked hard at his bowling, his fielding and his batting. And he’s been exemplary, to be honest. So a lot of respect for him,” Andy Flower mentioned.
Thanks to Iyer’s exploits, RCB were ahead of where SRH were at one stage, but the momentum died out after his dismissal.
Nevertheless, RCB will take on GT in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday (May 26) at Dharamsala.
