In the IPL 2026 season, RCB’s bowling attack was missing several components. Originally they didn’t have Josh Hazlewood, but they had a replacement in Jacob Duffy. However, another missing element was a third pacer to complement Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Yash Dayal played that role in his title-winning campaign last year, often coming in as a defensive option and providing at the death. But due to off-field reasons, Dayal was not part of the RCB squad this year. They needed to find someone in their ranks to fill the void.
RCB vs LSG: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Abhinandan Singh got the first opportunity but he did not live up to expectations. Another option could have been Mangesh Yadav as he is a left-arm pacer, but RCB opted for Rasikh Salam instead. Rasikh brought his best in RCB colors with 4 wickets vs LSG. (PTI Photo)
The Baroda pacer has been on the IPL circuit for quite some time, playing for MI, KKR and DC before moving to RCB. Until last season he never seemed to find a permanent place in any side, often being used as a fringe player. But that seems to have changed now.
In the game against MI, Patidar used him as a defensive option to ensure runs were not easy. He conceded 23 runs in his 2.5 overs and took a wicket before leaving the field injured.
He was up for the task again in Chinnaswamy against LSG on Wednesday, April 16, and knew he had to make a statement. He watched his senior pros, Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, go about their business on the sticky Bengal track.
His first wicket was a lucky one as Aiden Markram found the leading edge of a full toss on the leg side. But he followed that up with a superb second over against big hitters Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, conceding just two runs to signal the end of the innings.
Ayush Badoni’s wicket was all about using the conditions to your advantage – something you often see from Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar.
But it was his duel with Mukul Choudhary that stood out as India Today’s Play Of The Day for the Chinnaswamy clash.
RASIKH BEAT OFF MUKUL IN STANDOFF
It wasn’t like any shift Mukul has played so far in his short IPL career, because LSG were in trouble when he left. He started with a boundary but had to be careful in his approach.
This was not an Eden pitch and the bowling attack looked much more disciplined with their plans. The LSG youngster worked his way to 33 off 26 balls and looked ready to explode.
It was the last over of the innings and Mukul was always looking to go big. Patidar handed over the responsibility of closing things to Rasikh.
There was a stalemate and Rasikh’s first delivery was slower. Mukul seemed to have enough time to play two shots and generate power to send it into the crowd. Rasikh, who managed to end the Mukul show early, played a key role in RCB’s victory. (PTI Photo)
Fans were expecting a big finish and Mukul looked determined to deliver. But then Rasikh bowled a full delivery that went through Mukul’s legs and hit the leg stump.
The beauty of the van was in the planning. Sensing that a slower ball was expected, the RCB pacer went fast – hitting 139 kmph.
He could have stuck to his original plan but instead baited Mukul by tipping him slightly to the leg side. The change of pace made all the difference and got him a wicket.
Rasikh finished off another brilliant yorker, this time removing Avesh Khan’s off stump. He finished with figures of 4 for 24 in his four overs and earned praise from the master himself, Hazlewood.
“Obviously Rasikh missed the first couple of games but he’s picked up in the last couple and he’s been training the house. He’s got some nice skills. We’ve seen that in the last few games. He’s bowling tough overs as well. It’s a big tournament for Rasikh,” Hazlewood said.
With RCB firmly on course to retain their crown, a bowler like Rasikh could prove to be the difference in the end. After years of drifting between teams, he seems to have finally found a home and earned the trust of the RCB faithful.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
16 Apr 2026 07:18 IST
