We believe in the strength of the whole squad: RCB spin-bowling coach Rangarajan

RCB pacer Rasikh Salam.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s spin-bowling coach Malolan Rangarajan emphasised here on Monday the depth in the RCB squad, while also acknowledging Josh Hazlewood’s significant impact on the team.

“We believe in the strength of the whole squad. There is Nuwan Thushara, who is chomping at the bit. And people forget that we have a very talented domestic pacer, Rasikh Salam.

“So, while we are very happy about Hazlewood coming back to the squad, everybody needs to remember the quality that is existing within our playing squad,” he said on the eve of RCB’s last league fixture against Lucknow Super Giants here.

Terming the 42-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Friday as “a good knock on the chin” and “a good wake up call,” he added: “Like we had a few challenges in Chinnaswamy (Stadium) when we played the first few games, I think we have thought of ways we can address what had gone wrong. And the challenges posed in Chinnaswamy were completely different from the challenges that we faced in the last game. A lot about how we want to play was discussed. And hopefully, we’ll be able to put that on display.”

On LSG captain Rishabh Pant’s woeful batting form and if he’s under pressure to perform, pacer Akash Deep said: “I feel that there is such a thing as time in cricket. I don’t feel that there is pressure. But there is a timing. You want to do something but you can’t, I feel there is that feeling with him.”