Rajasthan Royals’ head coach, Kumar Sangakkara, blamed the team’s poor batting performance for their 112-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Sunday. The Royals collapsed dramatically, with half the side being sent back to the pavilion in the powerplay, and they were eventually bowled out for just 59, the third-lowest innings total in the IPL. Sangakkara said that they lost the match in the powerplay itself, and the team’s batters had thrown away their wickets. He added that the team had bowled well to restrict RCB to under 170 runs, and they could have chased it down on that pitch.
Sangakkara stated that the team had got carried away in the powerplay, trying to score too many runs and be ultra-positive, instead of building partnerships. He criticized the batters for going for big shots instead of settling in, and they got themselves out instead of RCB getting them out. He added that the entire batting unit was not good enough and that they had to play for some pride and win their last game. With only one game left, their chances of reaching the playoffs look slim.
RCB’s wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat, who blazed away to an unbeaten 29 off 11 deliveries, said that they were not expecting such a collapse from the Royals, but it is a game of cricket, and anything can happen. The mammoth win has improved RCB’s net run rate, which is crucial for them as they make a charge for the playoffs. RCB is just outside the top four, in fifth place, with 12 points from as many games.
Rajasthan Royals’ batters’ poor performance cost them the match against RCB, and their chances of reaching the playoffs look slim. RCB’s massive win has improved their net run rate, which is crucial for them to qualify for the playoffs.
