RCB banking on 4 home games
new delhi: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Chris Woakes believes that they will use the four consecutive home games in Bengaluru as "a springboard" to turn things around after managing only one win in four games in the Indian Premier league (IPl). RCB's run of four consecutive games begins on Saturday against Delhi Daredevils before meeting Chennai Super Kings (April 25), Kolkata Knight Riders (April 29) and Mumbai Indians (May 1). "Guys are upbeat, confident going forward. We have four home games on the bounce -- we can use that as a springboard to get our campaign back on track. If we win two or three games out of these four games, we can get to a strong position," the 29-year-old seam bowling all-rounder said. "In this format, momentum can shift very quickly. And the guys are still upbeat, willing to go to practice and train hard." Woakes also dismissed the fact that RCB rely heavily on captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. "We have got a good team from top to bottom. We have a batting line-up that bats very deep. We do have world-class batsmen at the top of the order but we also have world-class middle-order batters as well," Woakes said.
‘Umesh, Mavi & Siraj impressive’
mumbai: Former Australian all-rounder David Hussey believes Umesh Yadav, Shivam Mavi and Mohd Siraj have been the best Indian fast bowlers in the ongoing VIVO IPl 2018. The stylish Australian all-rounder who has played 64 VIVO IPl games is an expert on showcased on 'Star Sports Select Dugout' for VIVO IPl 2018. "Umesh Yadav, he is a class player. He takes early wickets. Not only is his bowling fast, but he swings the ball flawlessly. What he has is a fast bouncer which does well to demolish the scare tactics of the opposition. Besides Umesh, a couple of youngsters have made an excellent impression too. Mavi from KKR - a youngster, bowls quickly at 145 kmph and he is only going to get better and stronger under the able guidance of Jack Kallis and Simon Katich. Another bowler who has impressed me the most is Siraj, he is a super talented youngster who bowls really fast, swings the balls well and has a fast bouncer. Indian fast bowler stocks are in good hands."