Mitchell Starc could have made a difference for RCB against MI: David Wiese

Bengaluru, April 20: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder David Wiese has said that the presence of injured Australian bowler Mitchell Starc could have made a difference had he played for them in their defeat against Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2015 match last night.

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In absence of a top-class fast bowler, RCB conceded 210 runs and eventually lost by 18 runs. "I think Mitchell (Starc) is a top-class bowler. We saw him in the World Cup - he is in form at the moment. He can make a difference on any kind of wicket," Wiese, who took 4 wickets and scored 47 runs, told reporters here. (Reactions from Twitter to Pollard's bizarre act)

Wiese however said that despite Starc and Adam Milne's absence, the team boasts of good young bowlers for whom unfortunately things did not work out.

"We however got some good young bowlers also - unfortunately though tonight things did not work out for us," he said.

Wiese said captain Virat Kohli's decision to chase was right with a strong batting line-up the team boasts of, but failed to reach the target as it's difficult to go past 200-odd runs target.

"I think it was a right decision to bowl first. We very well back ourselves of chasing with the kind of batting lineup we got, but it is always difficult to chase 200-odd target," he said.

Asked about team's strategy to chase 210-run target, Wiese said the plan was to keep wickets in hands till the end and self-belief in the side's ability to win.

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"We went onto the field with a belief that we are never out of the chase because the game can change rather quickly and if you keep believing and keep wickets till the end, you never know what can happen.

"You can get 70-80 runs in five overs to win. So yeah, keep believing and get the total was our strategy," he said.

On his all-round performance against Mumbai Indians, Wiese said it was pleasing to do so in front of an amazing RCB crowd.

"It was unbelievable to play IPL in front of an amazing crowd. The franchisee RCB is unbelievable It was quite pleasing to know that you actually doing something good for the team and in future I hope to churn out such performances," he added.

PTI