Cricket-Du Plessis hails middle order as Bengaluru complete IPL playoff lineup

Cricket - South Africa v Australia - Second T20 - St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa - February 23, 2020 South Africa's Faf du Plessis leaves the field after losing his wicket Action Images via Reuters/Rogan Ward/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis showered praise on the team's middle order after they grabbed the final playoff spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) following a stunning turnaround in the tournament.

A top-four finish looked like a distant dream for the star-studded squad after they succumbed to their sixth consecutive defeat of the season against table-topper Kolkata Knight Riders last month.