Will tell the boys to take this in stride and move on: Faf du Plessis after a valiant fightback from RCB against CSK

In one of the most what-could-have-been chases for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, they fell short of the finish line by just eight runs on a day when 444 runs were scored from just 40 overs, much to the thrill of the packed Chinnaswamy crowd. 

Put into bat, Chennai rode on a fantastic platform laid by Devon Conway and Ajinkya Rahane to put on 226, setting a steep target to chase for the home team. 

Although RCB were rocked early with Virat Kohli and Mahipal Lomror gone cheaply, skipper Faf du Plessis joined forces with Glenn Maxwell as the duo tore into the CSK bowlers to put on a formidable partnership. 

While Faf played second fiddle perfectly to Maxwell, after the Australian’s departure after a stunning 36-ball 76, the RCB skipper followed quickly post a 33-ball 62 and from there on, the rest of the batting unit produced few cameos but none match-winning. 

After what was a fine game of cricket, the RCB skipper opened up on where the match was lost and how this would be a memorable battle for the remainder of the campaign for the Red and Gold Army. Talking at the post-match presentation, Faf said, “Early on while fielding, I thought I just winded my rib but as the innings went on I felt discomfort. I tried to avoid taking my shirt off but had to do it in the end, sorry boys.”

Adding further on how the match should have gone, Faf said, “I thought we batted perfectly. The last five overs were set up well, I thought DK would clinch it but those lost four overs we let it slip. At the toss, I said 200 was par, it was 10-15 too many.”

Faf also shed some light on the number of runs conceded, adding, “We went over the short boundary, off Dube. It was just one of those wickets where you bowl the first few balls and go, 'this is a great wicket.' In the end, it was about minimising the big overs under 20 while bowling.”

The RCB skipper concluded with a message for his boys, stating, “Will tell the boys to take this in stride and move on. Personally, I got stiff and lost some power. I'd have liked to have gone harder in the middle period. I tried but couldn't keep up.”