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Faf du Plessis Praises Middle Order as Bengaluru Secures IPL Playoff Spot
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis (39) commended the team’s middle order for their crucial contributions after securing the final playoff spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL), following a remarkable turnaround in the tournament.
A top-four finish seemed unlikely for the star-studded team after suffering their sixth consecutive defeat of the season against table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders last month.
However, Bengaluru, aiming for their first IPL title, staged an incredible comeback. Saturday’s 27-run victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a virtual playoff decider marked their sixth consecutive win.
Du Plessis (54) and the league’s top scorer Virat Kohli (47) provided a solid foundation, with the middle order stepping up to lead the team to a formidable 218-5 in their final group match.
Chennai replied with 191-7 in the rain-affected game, allowing Bengaluru to join Kolkata, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs.
“It felt like a day-five Test match,” du Plessis said, describing the challenging batting conditions after the rain interruption.
“For me and Virat to just get through it and find a way somehow…and then to score 200 in the back end was unbelievable.”
Middle order batsmen Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, and Glenn Maxwell played crucial roles, contributing quick-fire innings to push Bengaluru past the 200-run mark.
“That’s been our last six games, hasn’t it? Contributions from many batters with good intensity and good strike rates,” said player-of-the-match du Plessis.
“At the beginning of the season, we felt like we were a little slow and we wanted a bit more intent in our batting innings. And to have done that again is awesome.”
Bengaluru’s middle order performances have been pivotal in their late surge, helping the team secure a playoff spot and keeping their hopes for a maiden IPL title alive.
