Sairaj Bahutule, RR’s spin bowling coach, believes the team has been playing well and is still committed to the future despite the failures. He thanked Rahul Dravid for the tranquilly in the dugout and underlined the value of maintaining composure. He admitted that he made mistakes in T20 cricket but said he was certain he would learn from them and concentrate on the next games.
In three days, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) had lost two close games that they could have won with ease. They just needed nine runs off the last over in each game, but they were unable to score. They were defeated by just two runs against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and lost in the Super Over against the Delhi Capitals (DC).
These close defeats have cost RR four crucial points that they could have used to move up the IPL 2025 standings. Instead, at the halfway point of the league season, they are now in eighth place with just two victories from their first eight games.
“We’ve been playing good cricket, to be honest. The outcome hasn’t disappeared, though. With Rahul (Dravid) present, there is a great deal of peace in the dugout. Everyone knows that one should not worry and just accept things as they come because they have played enough cricket in that dugout. But regrettably, losing by two runs in both this match and the last one with the super over has been difficult, but that’s just the nature of the game,” Sairaj Bahutule remarked after the Royals’ Saturday defeat at the hands of LSG in Jaipur.
“There is a lot of risk in the T20 format. We try to minimise the faults you make, which are numerous. I believe we could have completed it in a few overs on our own when we were in a partnership. However, Avesh bowled that well once again. Yes, we could have completed it. However, he reiterated, “We are completely composed and calm about it, and we just look forward to the next game.”
Sandeep Sharma is reliable: Sairaj Bahutule
Sairaj Bahutule emphasised that the squad does not lose because of a single player and praised Sandeep Sharma’s steady efforts in important overs.
“He’s a terrific bowler, so it doesn’t mean I can take anything away from him. He has consistently bowled the crucial and challenging overs. Without a doubt, we would have had 20 fewer runs to chase, perhaps even 10 to 15. Sairaj Bahutule said on Sandeep, “But (still) I think we were set to chase that target.”
“Never assume that a player is the reason a team wins or loses. To tell the truth, it’s a team game. He handed up just five and seven runs in two overs in the preceding game as well. As a result, we tend to overlook such crucial overs and instead focus on the overs in which he has bowled poorly. However, I believe he is a complete giver for us. And everyone supports him, including the team,” he continued.
The young group will gain knowledge from the failures: Sairaj Bahutule
He emphasised the value of solidarity, particularly during difficult times, and believed that the younger generation is growing from its mistakes. He acknowledged that even though the team is in a strong position and has lost both games, they still support one another.
“Going there and performing with the same level of energy every day is difficult. However, I have the impression that we are one. Not only are things not going our way, but neither are the outcomes. However, it seems like a young side, and I have no doubt that everyone is in pain, but they will all grow from their mistakes. After the two close matches, he remarked, “You were on the losing side even though you were in a commanding position in both of them.”
We are all in agreement: Sairaj Bahutule
According to Bahutule, there is remarkable clarity between players and support personnel, particularly under Rahul Dravid’s direction. He thought the intentions were clear, but the last few seconds saw a breakdown in execution.
“I have never witnessed such clarity among us, the players, the support staff, and the dressing room. Regarding the plans and game plans, Rahul is extremely clear. Simply said, on that specific day, players’ performance was lacking, and nothing went our way except in the last over. We were in the game and playing terrific cricket most of the time. We simply didn’t cross that finish line, in my opinion. Regarding the team rumours, he stated, “I believe they will evaluate the situation and inform us.”
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