Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowling coach Omkar Salvi reckons the side’s tight win over the Mumbai Indians in its previous encounter in Raipur is a shot in the arm for the side’s confidence.
Despite losing wickets in clusters at the front and back end of the chase, the defending champion managed to get over the line with a hastily run double off the final ball after a deflection off the bowler’s hand.
“After such a game, the team’s camaraderie is definitely reflected. Everyone is playing for each other, fighting for each other. There is trust that one of them will win the match for the side. The more you trust each other, the stronger you get. It is a great thing for RCB,” Salvi said.
MI squeezed RCB hard despite posting only 166 on the board on a pitch that had some early movement and uneven bounce for the pacers throughout. It was a rare occurrence in a competition where batters have been calling the shots for an overwhelming majority of games. Despite the disparity in pitches on offer across the country, Salvi said the bowling plans remain quite simple.
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“Bowling is more about setting the action, setting the tone and the batters respond accordingly. On the day, whatever evidence the conditions are providing, taking those things and magnifying their strengths will help them stay sharp and execute their plans,” he said.
“We have to be ready for all kinds of surfaces we get. We are pretty much prepared to face such challenges. It is part and parcel of the game. We have to adapt,” he added.
RCB’s experienced bowling core, which played a crucial part in the team’s run to a first title in 2025, has seen the entry of 26-year-old Baroda pacer Rasikh Salam Dar. Salvi praised the work put in by the pacer from the outside last season, which has helped him seamlessly integrate into the unit.
“Rasikh is someone who has learned through his experiences from previous teams and setbacks. All of that has helped him get better as a bowler. He is a keen learner of the game and practises hard. It is a learning phase for him, and he is doing well,” he said.
Published on May 12, 2026