RCB—championship preparation

• The team, previously reliant on star power, has seen a significant improvement this season.

• Nine players have been named ‘Player of the Match’, with Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, and Suyash Sharma claiming the award.

• Krunal’s exceptional performance against Punjab Kings and Jitesh’s unbeaten 33-ball 85 against Lucknow Super Giants were key performances.

• The team’s management, including head coach Andy Flower, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat, and mentor Dinesh Karthik, aimed to create a cohesive unit.

• The team’s turnaround from three consecutive losses at home to an 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals was a significant factor.

• Virat Kohli’s steady presence and Josh Hazlewood’s hard length and extra bounce in the PowerPlay were crucial in breaking RCB’s long run.