Delhi: Even if RCB does not win the IPL title this time, the way their game changed this season will always be one of the most talked about stories of IPL. In the dressing room after the victory in the last league match against Chennai Super Kings, Dinesh Karthik rightly said – The biggest contribution of RCB is that even after the first 7 defeats in the season, any team can hope to play the play-offs. Will not leave. He has done the same feat twice now. In the 2016 season, they were bottom of the points in the first half but played in the finals. Then there were 2 wins in the first 7 matches and this time only 1 in 8 matches, after that 6 consecutive wins and everything changed. How did this happen?

The approach has changed completely: After only 1 win out of 8, it was understood that there was nothing left to lose – this changed the approach completely and played without fear and with fun. This was most visible in the fielding – Cameron Green's athleticism in running out Akshar Patel, Faf du Plessis's Superman dive against Chennai Super Kings and some straight hits from Virat Kohli – there was enthusiasm in all. After scoring 262-7 while chasing the target of 288 runs against Hyderabad, RCB's run rate in its next 7 matches was 11.37. In the first 6 matches it was only 8.94.

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Right players used at right places: Didn't worry about the reputation and see – did not miss to keep Maxwell on the bench, brought Swapnil Singh in the team in the 9th match – the spell of 13 runs in 2 overs against CSK may not be visible in big records but victory I was very special. He was an impact player against Hyderabad's dangerous batting line-up and did wonders by dismissing Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen in one over. That is why RCB gave him the first over in their next 4 matches. Yash Dayal and Green also gave good returns – Dayal's 3-20 and Green's 1-19 were crucial in RCB's win against Delhi Capitals on their net run rate.

Batting changed completely: Rajat Patidar shone – 5 fifties, runs at 180+ strike rate and this reduced the pressure on the rest of the line-up. Will Jacques' power-hitting absolutely improved the NNR. Cameron Green also got in attack mood. Team's 157 sixes in the group round – The first team to hit 150+ sixes in any T20 tournament and Hyderabad, whose batting is most talked about, is at second place with 146 sixes. 6 scores of 200+ and equaled MI's record of 6 scores in 16 matches played in an IPL season last year and 6 scores in 12 completed matches played by KKR in IPL 2024. Virat Kohli's new records with the bat were the most special.

Coach Andy Flower's presence felt: Believe me, he is called a 'qualification machine' – whichever franchise he coaches, wins a trophy or plays in the playoffs/final 4. This record seemed to be broken this time but in the end it was known that his presence is having an impact.

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Intent on doing something after the joke of not winning a trophy even once: If RCB women's team wins WPL then why can't they win? Why can't a team which has Virat Kohli win the IPL? No other team has such crazy fans like RCB. Till now in IPL, most of the memes have been on RCB and the team has been trolled a lot. This time a unique enthusiasm has been seen to overcome all this and a mixed effort is visible.

Who knows, this trend will continue in the play-offs and RCB will win their first IPL.

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