Srikar Bharat speaks: The game against DC wasn’t the first time when the onfield camaraderie between Bharat and Maxwell yielded positive results for RCB.
The year 2021 has been very impressive so far for Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore. Almost after five years they reached the Indian Premier League playoffs without worrying about their net run rate or depending on the results of the other teams.
What worked for them was a great streak in the Indian leg of the tournament where they finished third, and they managed to maintain that even after reaching the UAE.
When RCB began its campaign in the second half of IPL 2021. They discovered a new talent in wicket-keeper batsman KS Bharat, who put his skills to the test against Delhi Capitals in Dubai on Friday night. In pursuit of 165 in the last RCB league match, the 28-year-old not only collected his first IPL fifty but also won the game with a powerful six from the last ball.
Srikar Bharat scored 78 undefeated 52 balls, including 3 limits and 4 six. During his passage through the arc, he was well supported by all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who also scored a 33ball 51;
The sixth half-century of his this season. The duo entered an undefeated 111-race partnership for the fourth wicket and led RCB to a major victory.
This was not the first time that Bharat and Maxwell‘s camaraderie on the field led to positive results for RCB. In the game against the Rajasthan Royals in Dubai. They had sewn a 69-run position for the third wicket when Kohli & Co brought the game home with 7 wickets. The same advantage that they beat Delhi Capitals with.
In a virtual interaction supported by RCB, Srikar Bharat responded to a Hindustan Times query about his equation with Maxwell. He said: “When I played with AB (de Villiers) we had very good communication. He told me about the target areas and strengths of a particular player and how he would bowl. It wasn’t like he was guiding me through the entrances, but it allowed me to think for myself. As soon as he came out, Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] came in.
“We always communicate what are the wickets. How is it behaving like or what are the tough balls to be hit on a particular track or what are the areas we can target, who are the bowlers we can target. So, it’s always two-way communication. My mindset and understanding of the game. And Maxi would also contribute if and any changes need to be made to my game plan,” Bharat added.
The only difference between the two partnerships was that Bharat was dismissed on 44 against the Royals. But against DC, he played the finisher’s role and came out with flying colors.
But on a personal front, missing out on a fifty against RR didn’t really bother him much as he believes in the process more than ‘individual glory’.
“If you look at it, I wasn’t thinking about individual glory. We are always focused on doing well and contributing to the team. So, I was pretty much clear about that. These numbers don’t matter as long as you are doing well. It sometimes limits you off as a person if you are doing something big.
“So, if you are focusing on numbers, I think, you are limiting your own self. I understood it over a period of time. After playing a lot of domestic cricket, you got to be selfless at this level to play up to your potential. I was just concentrating in order not to look at the scoreboard or individual glory. Rather than looking at the team’s position and what I can, as an individual, add to it,” said Srikar Bharat.
After a brilliant blow to DC, it’s time for Bharat to face the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator in Sharjah on Monday. It is a must for RCB as if they are losing.
Their IPL 2021 journey ends right there. And if they win, they will meet Delhi Capitals. For the last time in Qualifier 2 to fight for a ticket to the final.
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