Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes RCB will make it to the playoffs this season, and he lauded Faf du Plessis’ leadership.

With six points from five games, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is presently in sixth place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 points standings.

Faf du Plessis-led side has won three games and lost two, with the franchise’s next match taking place on Saturday evening against the Delhi Capitals.

Shastri, speaking on an international news channel, said: “This season, I feel we will have a new champion. The Royal Challengers Bangalore are having a great season in the IPL and will almost certainly make the playoffs. As the competition progresses, they’re becoming hotter and hotter. They’re in a terrific spot to look. Every game brings them closer to their goal.”

Veteran players like du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell, according to Shastri, will play a key role in the franchise this season.

“Virat Kohli has been in fine form, and Glenn Maxwell has returned to the team, and we all know what a destructive batsman he can be. He has the ability to take spinners apart and will be crucial to RCB’s success as the tournament goes. The fact that Faf is their leader is an added plus “Shastri stated.

On Tuesday, April 12, the Royal Challengers Bangalore were defeated by the Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs.

The Bengaluru-based franchise missed Harshal Patel’s presence as they gave up 216 runs and subsequently failed to chase down the target as CSK restricted them to 193/9.