RCB needs to beat CSK's plans to make it to playoffs: Dwayne Bravo's cheeky remark

CSK's bowling coach Dwayne Bravo said that RCB would need to beat the team's plans in order to make it to the playoffs. Bravo said that CSK have prepared well as a bowling unit and if they execute the plans, it will be Super Kings all the way. RCB will host CSK in an all-important clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on May 18, Saturday.

Bravo, while speaking to the media in the pre-match press-conference, made a remark about RCB's hopes of making it into the playoffs.

"You should respect the opposition and RCB rightly so, we respect them. We prepare well as a bowling group, we have very good plans. RCB will have to try to beat us off our plans.

"And if they do that, well played to them. But if they don't, then... next season for them," Bravo said.

Bravo's bravado remarks came in the lead-up to the high-octane clash with the play-off qualifications of both RCB and CSK being at stake. CSK currently stands at 14 points with 7 wins in 13 matches. Meanwhile, RCB has 12 points with 6 wins in 13 matches. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule

RCB vs CSK: Playoff scenario

RCB will not only need to win the match but also ensure that they register a victory by either an 18-run margin while batting first or chasing down the target by 18.1 overs.

Bravo said that CSK are looking forward to an exciting encounter against RCB. He admitted that none of the teams would have control over the weather and CSK would look to give their best to ensure a finish in the top 4.

"We don't have control over the weather. We don't try to bring up things that we don't have control over. It's another game for us to push for a playoff spot and we're really looking ahead to the challenge against a very good team," Bravo said.

RCB vs CSK: Rain threat looms

The weather Gods might not show mercy in Bengaluru on the day of the match. Rain threat looms large over the high-intensity clash as an Orange Alert has been issued in the city. In case of a wash-out, CSK will edge past RCB to take part in the Eliminator clash in Ahmedabad on May 22, Wednesday.

Bravo suggested that he did not want to reveal the bowling team's action plan against star batters like Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. However, he was happy with the performance of the young bowling unit. Mustafizur Rahman left mid-way through the season and Deepak Chahar had suffered an injury during CSK's match against PBKS on May 5.

"I don't want to give our plans away, but at the same time, I think last season and this season have been very good with a fairly youngish bowling group.

"Death bowling in T20 cricket is very important and most times it defines the result and outcome of the game."

However, in the absence of star bowlers, youngsters like Simajeet Singh and Tushar Deshpande have stepped up for CSK.