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A Punjab Kings versus Royal Challengers Bangalore face-off in Qualifier 1 of the IPL would have been considered a real long shot at the beginning of the season. After all, it takes a lot to finish in the top two — something which Shreyas Iyer’s men had last done a decade back in 2014 and Virat Kohli & Co. in 2016.

It is, of course, a just reward for the RCBs’ consistency and adaptability over a season , since the league was suspended for a week due to the cross-border conflict.

While both teams may look at it as being just two wins away from a first crown, the Russian roulette nature of this format will also keep both teams on edge at the new venue of Mullanpur on Thursday, 29 May.

However, if momentum is the name of the game, then the RCBs would like to carry the Ekana Stadium pitch from Lucknow with them, now that they have only a day’s gap for a turnaround before their big game.

Their highest-ever chase of a target of 228 — thanks to a memorable 106-run fifth-wicket partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal — not only overshadowed a comeback century by Rishabh Pant, but must have brought back a can-do mood for the Play Bold Army.

Dinesh Karthik, now a mentor to the RCBs, was quick to remind his men of the ‘bigger goal’ during his dressing room talk after the win.

Dinesh Karthik, RCB mentorIt’s about manifesting that you’re the one when you walk into that game day after and knowing that whoever is doing it on that day has the backing and belief of us. All I want to say is, remember the bigger goal. We have bigger things to play for. Let’s make sure it happens this year.

“This year we have gotten to the play-offs. Not just the play-offs, but second place. Most importantly, I think this room believes there is a bigger goal. And for that, we need to stay calm. Any one of you in the playing XII can do exactly what Jitesh Sharma did today,” said DK, as he is popularly known on the circuit.  

“It’s about manifesting that you’re the one when you walk into that game day after and knowing that whoever is doing it on that day, has the backing and belief of us. All I want to say is remember the bigger goal. We have bigger things to play for. And let’s make sure it happens this year,” he added.  

Playing as a stand-in captain and keeper-batter to become Player of the Match, Jitesh Sharma said he was not yet able to process how he played that match-winning knock of 85 off 33 balls — an effort which assured the RCB of a Top Two finish, a welcome cushion against the inevitable stress.

“Frankly, I didn’t have a calculation,” said Sharma. “I spoke to DK and he said, ‘Just keep looking at the ball and try to play normal cricketing shots and take the game to the end. If you keep playing, I believe you’ll finish the match.’” 

“I think it’s all about preparation. We had discussed every bowler the other day. What can I do? What kind of body shape do I want? So I was just trying to remind myself again and again,” Sharma said. 

The contribution of senior pro Mayank Agarwal (41 off 23 balls), who went unsold in the mega auction and was drafted by the RCB only as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal, was commendable.

“I think he (Agarwal) was guiding me and telling me what to do. He was telling me again and again what was going on in the game, because I was in my zone. He was giving me shape and guiding me in the run chase,” a candid Sharma added.

The presence of DK as a mentor in the RCB dugout also seems to have added a calming influence on the team. The ever-smiling man has been the perfect example of using the ‘been there and done that’ in the IPL to positive effect.

Yes, of course, he has played for multiple franchises and also been an ex-captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders — but there’s also a sharp cricketing brain ticking away behind the easygoing demeanour, which (incidentally) shares an excellent rapport with .

Catch the Match

Qualifier 1 (Thursday, Mullanpur)

Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Eliminator (Friday, Mullanpur)

Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians

Qualifier 2 (Sunday, Ahmedabad)

Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator

 Final (Tuesday, Ahmedabad)

Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q 2

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