Follow UsThe change in schedule due to the rain prediction in Bengaluru made things a little tricky for the rampant Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this season. Their last two league games of the season, one of which they were supposed to play at home, will now be played in Lucknow, which will eventually decide if they can finish in the top two.
If they finish in the top two, then they will have less than 48 hours before turning up for Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur. RCB Head Coach Andy Flower stated that it is a congested schedule to work around, but they have no option but to deal with it.
"That's not your ideal lead-in to a qualifying game," Flower said ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. "We'll finish late, get to bed quite late, then travel 28th and play 29th, but that's the situation in front of us. The best way is for everyone to take in the reality of that, deal with it and we'll be ready for that game.
"We're disappointed not to be playing tomorrow's game in Bangalore, but we've had to roll with that. The boys have worked really well over the entire season, in the build-up to the first match. They've played some superb cricket through the season. Yes, we've had a little break now, but for a couple of our players, that break has been a healthy thing.
"Rajat Patidar for one, it's given his right hand a little bit of time to settle after getting a bad knock. He's fit to bat. Which is great. Salt was sick for a while, it's given him a little chance to get home, recharge his batteries, and he's back at full force."
After losing their first three games in home conditions, RCB gave their fans a lot to cheer about by beating Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in back-to-back home games, before their last home game against KKR was washed out due to rain. But reflecting on their stellar performance in away conditions - RCB won all of their six away matches this season - Flower is confident that they can flex it all the way.
"As you know, we struggled in our home conditions initially, the pitch was a little bit different to what we were used to. It took us a little while to adjust our game plan; we did adjust and won a couple of important games at home [against CSK and RR]. We've got a good record away, been able to flex for away conditions really well, backing our players to do that again tomorrow. We're okay playing away.
"I think generally cricketers should be able to adjust to whatever conditions given to them. Of course, home advantage is a thing, but we're comfortable with our relationship with [K] Sriram back at Chinnaswamy. He's been outstanding, given us the best pitch he can given us each time. Like him and respect him, enjoy working with him … we're looking forward to a similar relationship next season."
With a win against SRH, RCB will go to the top of the table.