IPL 2018 | Frustrated about how we ended last two games with bowl: Vettori

RCB’s biggest weakness in IPL in the last ten seasons has been their bowling department. However, they ensured to tend to it during the mega-auctions by getting in the likes of Washington Sundar, Umesh Yadav and more. And though skipper Virat Kohli has stressed on the perfect balance at every opportunity this season, their campaign hasn’t been any different for them so far. 

For two consecutive matches now, RCB have been clubbed for over 200 runs. Rajasthan tore the RCB bowling line-up apart to score a whopping 217 runs on Sunday, when RCB bowlers conceded 88 runs in the last five overs, the joint second highest in the IPL history. On Tuesday, it was Mumbai’s turn, who got off slowly but managed to score 213 runs, with skipper Rohit Sharma smashing 96. In this match, RCB conceded 70 runs in the slog overs, which is fourth highest in the IPL history. 

Currently sitting in the seventh place, RCB coach Vettori has pointed towards their bowlers’ inability to contain the batsman in the slog overs, citing it as the main reason for their downfall. Although Kohli looked angry on his batsmen for not building partnerships, even he would agree with Vettori’s assessment.

"The frustration will be around the backend of the bowling, because when you are chasing that much, it puts an extreme amount of pressure on how we play. Virat played exceptionally well today, but unfortunately no one could go with him. So our frustrations will be about how we ended with the ball in the last two games," Vettori said in his interview to ESPN Cricinfo.

There is no denying the fact that RCB have been one of the worst bowling teams in the death overs this season. Even their most trusted bowler, Umesh Yadav, have not been able to perform exceptionally. His economy rate in the final overs this IPL is 15.20. Chris Woakes' is 10.89, although he has taken six wickets. Kulwant Khejroliya, the uncapped Indian left-arm fast bowler, goes at a steep 13.63.

Vettori also emphasized on the big difference between their spinners and Mumbai’s spinners. Having the freedom to attack after having a huge score on the board, Mayank Markande and Krunal Pandya had the time to settle down and then attack the batsmen. Lewis and Rohit, on the other hand, didn’t let Washington and Chahal settle as kept picking them for runs early. 

"Washington and Yuzi were probably in defensive positions as Lewis and Rohit were going bit more aggressive. And so, we probably bowled a bit more defensively. When the Mumbai spinners came on, they were in a really good position, and that allowed them to actually bowl a little more attacking, with a bit more flight, put something on the ball, and you saw the rewards they got. 

But they (Mumbai) batted exceptionally well, and that was the difference between when our spinners bowled and when their spinners bowled," said the former New Zealand captain.