Ambati Rayudu Slams RCB: IPL Trophies Not Won By Celebrations Alone

"IPL Trophy Not Won By Celebration, Aggression, Beating CSK": Ambati Rayudu Slams RCB

RCB's Playoff Struggles Continue; Rayudu's Blunt Assessment

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) quest for their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title ended in disappointment once again as they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday. The defeat prompted former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Ambati Rayudu to take a brutal swipe at RCB, highlighting their shortcomings that have prevented them from lifting the coveted trophy. During the Star Sports broadcast of the match, Rayudu minced no words in his criticism of RCB. "IPL Trophies are not won by celebrations and aggression. IPL Trophies are not won by just beating CSK. To win the IPL trophy, you will have to play well in the Playoffs," Rayudu stated, emphasizing the importance of consistency and performance in the crucial knockout stages. Rayudu's comments resonated with many observers, as RCB has often been accused of relying too heavily on individual brilliance and failing to perform collectively when it mattered most. The franchise has made several high-profile signings over the years, including the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell, but has consistently fallen short in the playoffs.

RCB's Unwanted Record and Faf du Plessis' Reaction

RCB's playoff struggles are further highlighted by an unwanted record. The defeat to the Rajasthan Royals marked their 12th loss in the IPL playoffs, making them the team with the most losses in the knockout stages. This statistic underscores RCB's inability to translate their regular-season success into playoff victories. Following the elimination, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis admitted his disappointment but expressed pride in his team's efforts to qualify for the playoffs. "With the dew coming, we felt we were short with the bat. Did think we were 20 runs shy of what was a good score. Credit to the boys - they fought really well. That's all you can ask for," Du Plessis said after the match. Du Plessis acknowledged the challenges posed by the pitch and conditions, which made it difficult for RCB to post a competitive total. However, he also recognized the impact of the dew, which made it easier for the Rajasthan Royals to chase down the target. Despite their playoff exit, Du Plessis remained positive and praised his team's resilience in qualifying for the playoffs after a poor start to the season. "Extremely proud. Lot of teams - their wheels would've fallen off after 1 from 9. To come back like that, six games in a row, takes a lot of heart and character. We weren't special tonight in terms of pushing that extra 20 runs with the bat," Du Plessis said.