We depend on Gayle to an extent: Prasad

RCB bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad says the team can still win without the explosive West Indian batsman

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad today said his side depended on Chris Gayle to an extent but still have the firepower to win matches even without the explosive West Indian batsman.

"The team depended on Gayle to a certain extent, but we still have fantastic fire power which was very well reflected in captain Virat Kohli's last innings against Hyderabad, which came when the chips were down for us," Prasad told reporters here.

Asked about Zaheer Khan and Ravi Rampaul's injury status, Prasad said, "Everybody is fit and ready for selection."

He said South African batsman A B de Villiers will join the team tomorrow.

The former India pacer said he was optimistic of local players Mayank Agarwal, K L Rahul and Karun Nair doing well in the IPL.

"They all have had a good domestic season this year. Mayank also has done well for RCB last year," he said.

Prasad said it was not necessary to have a standout fast bowler as "only you need to bowl in right areas, bowl to your strengths and have to be adaptable."

"If you look at (Dale) Steyn, he also went for runs yesterday," he said.

Talking about the positives from last two games, Prasad said the team played with a lot of spirit and defended small totals.

"Yes our bowlers stood for our batsmen and defended totals of 130 and 156 against Mumbai and Hyderabad, successfully," he said.

"Fielding was phenomenal in both the games which was well appreciated by a couple of rival players," he added.

He praised Vinay Kumar for the good job he has done in last two matches while bowling the final overs.

"We need to appreciate his confidence and shouldering the responsibility to bowl the final overs and also the Super Over," said Prasad.

"As a bowling coach I would not discuss the negatives of yesterday's last over," he said.