It’s a do or die affair for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Royals’ key speedster Jaydev Unadkat called it a “virtual quarterfinal.”
The 26-year-old admitted the team would make special strategies for RCB’s inform batsmen-captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. “The match is important for both the team. It has become a virtual quarterfinal. We make strategy for every player. Kohli and De Villiers are world class batsmen, so there will be plans for them as well,” he said.
Unadkat acknowledged the role of outgoing Jos Buttler, their leading run scorer, but insisted his replacement would equally be upto the task.
“Buttler was playing very well. His absence will affect the team. I think whichever batsman will come in place of him will be equally motivated to perform well,” he said.
‘RCB a ruthless unit’
Unadkat called RCB ruthless like their captain Kohli and hoped the familiarity of home conditions would put them in good stead.
“RCB is one side which is ruthless, like their skipper itself. They like to play fearless cricket and that is what they are known for beside the kind of style they have in their batting unit. To counter-attack them we will have our strategies in place. We are playing in Jaipur, so conditions will be on our side. Hope it will work to our advantage. They are going through a good period, winning few games on trot, so I am really looking forward to the game tomorrow,” he said.
The left-arm pacer was the costliest Indian buy, Rs 11.5 crore, in this year’s auction. He, however, has not performed to the expectations, picking only nine wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 9.46. Assessing his season, Unadkat said: “It has been a good learning experience, but not as good like it was last year. For me it’s not about figures and wickets, but what plans I am having for a particular person or opposition and how I am executing it. If I rate my performance, planning and execution wise, it will be good, but not the way I will like it to be.
“I have been put under spot a lot of time, put under pressure as well this season. Those are the moments which has helped me. Last year I did really well in those pressure situation. And I am really looking to improve myself in that area.”
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks