IPL 2022: Mike Hesson highlights RCB's top bowling performers

Royal Challengers Bangalore fans went into a euphoric state after their team’s victory against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 Eliminator. Rajat Patidar earned all the accolades after his magnificent century, but it was RCB’s bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Harshal Patel, and Wanindu Hasaranga who did the business for the Bangalore side in the second innings.

Leading up to the game, RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, Mike Hesson put a spotlight on his side’s top performers of the season. Emphasizing the bowling performances of his players, especially in the middle and death overs, Hesson appreciated the efforts of Hasaranga and Hazlewood.

“Wanindu has been exceptional in terms of those middle over wickets for us. You can only control the back of the innings if you take wickets in the middle. The wickets that he has got have been critical. Josh Hazlewood’s come out and he shows experience. He is a banker. He’s got big wickets for us. He’s shown his expertise in the death as well which is being critical,” Hesson said in a recent episode of RCB’s Bold Diaries.

Hesson commends Harshal Patel’s eagerness to bowl at the death

Harshal Patel has not quite reached to the same heights like last season when he bagged a record 32 wickets in the tournament. But, the canny bowler has been pivotal for  RCB in the finishing stages of the innings. Patel has gone under eight runs per over in death overs and has been quite dependable with the ball.

“Harshal has done what we know he can do. He creates pressure, takes wickets, and loves the death overs. Not many people put their hands up and say that they want to do that job,” said Hesson.

Hesson also talked about the partnership of Glenn Maxwell and Shahbaz Ahmed, who has gone under the radar in the middle-overs for RCB. The spin duo has been able to restrict the opposition and has even bowled economically in the powerplays.

“I think Maxwell has been very impressive. He had to bowl in the powerplay, had to bowl tough overs, and gone at seven per over. He’s shown his experience, just made it easy for Shahbaz to do his job and they have combined very nicely from the bowling point of view. Shahbaz for me has gotten more and more comfortable over the last two years. Those important cameos he has played with the bat and the ball have been very important for us,” he explained.