IPL 2018: RCB's Mandeep Singh favours opening but ready for middle-order role

Royal Challengers Bangalore's seemingly incurable predicament of failing to defend a total came back to haunt them in their IPL 2018 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders. After putting up 176 on the board, the Virat Kohli-led franchise were blown away by Sunil Narine's blitzkrieg and despite playing four specialist bowlers, and Chris Woakes (their highest wicket-taker in the match with three scalps), fell to a four-wicket loss.

While one problem resurfaced (inability to defend totals), another took a step towards solution. For long, RCB's batting has revolved around their big two - Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Against KKR, however, the duo fell on consecutive deliveries midway through the 15th over, exposing their ever-fragile lower middle order. One man, though, stood out and powered RCB through.

When the INR 1.20 crore buy Mandeep Singh walked in after both De Villiers and Kohli lost their wickets, the scoreboard read 127/4 in 14.3 overs. The 26-year-old faced 18 of the next 33 deliveries left in the RCB innings and added 37 runs at a strike rate of over 200, powering his side's total to a respectable 176.

"Wanted to see off the first couple of overs and construct a partnership as we lost two of our most important batsmen at once. Both of us (Mandeep and Sarfaraz Khan) had planned that we'll keep the scoreboard ticking, score the odd boundary or two and then let loose in the last couple of overs," revealed Mandeep in an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda.

Though the Bangalore-based franchise ultimately fell to a loss, the team management would take confidence from the fact that one of their pre-tournament plans has started to shape up.

"Runs down the order have given me some confidence going into the next match"

"I actually prefer opening in T20s, however, I was instructed post the auction by the team management that I should prepare myself for a role in the middle order (number five or six)."

The Punjab batsman further added that he featured in the middle order for his state side in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well and would continue there for RCB if everything goes as planned.

He was visibly pleased with his performance in the opener, however, Mandeep did add that they were 10-15 runs off the total required to win the encounter. The batsman had hit 16 runs off the first three deliveries of the last over, but the next three fetched nothing as both Mandeep and Woakes lost their wickets.

"Yes, to an extent I am satisfied, still I feel that I could've done more on the last three balls which would've enabled us to add 10-15 more runs to our total. Obviously, this would've felt better had we won the match, but yeah, runs down the order have given me some confidence going into the next match."

RCB's team combination going ahead in the tournament

"Even if we go ahead with the same combination, it might work out in our favour ultimately"

The RCB-batsman opened up on the franchise's shortcomings as well - a sixth bowler who can chip in with a crucial couple of overs and a hard-hitting batsman to finish the innings strongly. He was all praise for his bowling department though, which except Narine, pretty much managed to keep the likes of Lynn and Russell quiet.

While the Australian scored 5 off 8, the West Indian all-rounder added 15 from 11 before perishing to Woakes (4-0-36-3). Umesh Yadav (27/2) impressed in his four-over spell as well and got the crucial wicket of Narine.

"Maybe we can use Pawan Negi as he is an all-rounder, good with the bat and dependable with the ball. However, going in with five full-time bowlers instead of opting for a part-timer is a good decision as well.

"I firmly believe that we have a good bowling department this season as we restricted KKR to an extent and it was Sunil Narine's innings which took the game away from us. Both Chris Woakes and Umesh Yadav were impactful, even Kulwant (Khejroliya) looked confident and even though the spinners couldn't create much of an impact, overall our bowling is better than what we had in the last couple of seasons.

"Even if we go ahead with the same combination, it might work out in our favour ultimately as this is just the start and every team needs time to click. It's only a matter of time before the team starts doing well as a unit."

Whether their bowling is better than the last few seasons is debatable, though, and the next few matches will clear the picture.

Gary Kirsten's coaching

"He wants us to play the same way in the nets as we'll have to during the match"

The right-handed batsman reserved special praise for RCB's batting coach Gary Kirsten and revealed how he has been helping the team.

"I'm actually enjoying working with him. He pays attention to every small detail, for instance, he is very particular about my strike rate and the way I should go about my innings while batting lower down the order.

"He wants us to play the same way in the nets as we'll have to in the match so that we are used to the approach. This helps us a lot when we actually go out to bat in such a situation.

"Like we were 10-15 runs short in the last match, so, as of now, Kirsten is working on how we don't miss out on those important runs in the next match. He's fine-tuning every one of us."