Parag remarked, “I think we did really well with the ball,” following the match. “It was likely between 210 and 220 wickets. We did a great job holding them back. We had the upper hand midway through our innings with our batting. In the final 10–11 overs, we likely required eight and a half runs per over. Since we didn’t demonstrate enough intent against the spinners, I believe we are to blame. We could have done a slightly better job of batting.”
The skipper of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Riyan Parag, feels that his team lost another close chase by 11 runs in Bengaluru because his batters did not target the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) spinners enough. Before Yash Dayal defended 16 runs in the final over, Josh Hazlewood let up just one run and removed a set Dhurv Jurel and Jofra Archer on consecutive deliveries, leaving RR needing 18 from the final 12 balls.
After having victory within their grasp, RR has lost three consecutive chases. They needed nine to win from the final over in their previous two games against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), but they lost both times.
Their spinners held RR in check in the middle overs, as Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya each conceded 31 runs in their four overs, while Hazlewood and the other RCB fast bowlers leaked runs at a rate of at least 11 per over. Additionally, Krunal claimed the significant wickets of Nitish Rana in his third over and Parag with his first delivery.
Wanindu Hasaranga, a spinner, was RR’s most economical bowler on a pitch that quick bowlers seemed easier to score off. After tying the RCB lineup down with his pace adjustments, Hasaranga concluded with a score of 1 for 30.
Before Krunal and Suyash entered the game, RR had hammered 87 off the fast bowlers in the first seven overs of the chase. The RR hitters only managed two consecutive fours off five overs against spin after Krunal hit with his opening delivery. By the time Krunal and Suyash completed their quota, RR’s asking rate had risen from 8.72 at the beginning of the tenth over to 11 after 14 overs and 11.50 at the end.
Parag responded, “The support staff has given us a lot of freedom,” when asked how much of it was a mental struggle.
It is our responsibility as players and as individuals to demonstrate that freedom by playing freely and putting on performances that are purposeful. You will pay the price for even the smallest error in this event. And today was one of those days.
RR is still at eighth in the standings after suffering their fifth straight defeat. They are in must-win circumstances going forward, having just won two of their nine games, albeit winning all five might not ensure a postseason berth.
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