RCB coach Prasad plans Mumbai`s downfall at Chinnaswamy

Bangalore: Royal Challengers Bangalore`s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad is hoping to achieve a first by beating Mumbai Indians when they clash in an Indian Premier League match on Monday.

RCB have never beaten Mumbai at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in any of the IPL editions so far. "I am sure we would like to change the stats by beating Mumbai in our backyard which we haven`t done in any of the IPL matches played at Chinnaswamy stadium," Prasad told reporters at a pre-match press conference. The former India pacer said RCB thinktank has closely watched Mumbai Indians approach against Kolkata Knight Riders last night and the team would chalk out a strategy before the game starts. In the last match against Mumbai at Wankhede Stadium, RCB bowlers, especially pacers Zaheer Khan and Vinay Kumar, exploited the juicy conditions early on by claiming three quick wickets, which laid the platform for their nine-wicket victory. "We would like Zaheer and Vinay to do the same for the team if we are offered same conditions tomorrow. Whenever our bowlers have done well, we have been in good position to chase or defend the total," he said. "In fact, Zaheer, Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori have been excellent sharing their skills to young turks like Vinay, Harshin Patel and KP Apanna," Prasad said. Expressing happiness for having good back-up bowlers, Prasad said it was important for RCB to keep winning from here on, instead of brooding over the strengths and weaknesses of other teams. He also said that RCB would not like to change the batting order of AB de Villiers as he has seen the team home at death overs. "AB is extremely effective towards the end. He is among few batsmen, who has got a fantastic hand-eye coordination along with nimble foot movements. He is far too ahead of others," he said. Even RCB is not planning to change the team composition by resting Murali as he had done exceedingly well in this IPL so far, Prasad said. "It was magnanimous of Dan to drop himself, which was a very good move. Doing this as a captain is something brilliant," he said. Praising young RCB captain Virat Kohli for his leadership skills, Prasad said his bowling changes in last three games have been fantastic and is eager to listen to the coaches. "He has been very vibrant too on the field," he said. PTI